Society Members, the Minutes of our latest AGM are now available in the Members' Area of our website, in both text and video format. Check them out here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/members-area/
Some recent medieval news stories you might have missed! First, medieval artefacts discovered in Łasztownia excavation: tinyurl.com/socmedarch68 (Image: Marcin Bielecki ). Then, a rare 16th century astrolabe returns to the Isles of Scilly: tinyurl.com/socmedarch69
📋 Checklist for the weekend:
☑️ Mow the lawn
☑️ Walk the dog
☑️ Submit abstract for SMA conference
Deadline is the 10th April - we look forward to hearing from you! Full details on our website here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/sma-conferen...
Happy World Book Day! If you fancy reading something with a medieval flavour, why not check out our Monograph series? Full list available here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/publications...
A reminder that Society Members receive a 30% discount on all Routledge publications - see Members Area for info.
Rievaulx Abbey was founded #OnThisDay in 1132. Situated in Yorkshire, it was once one of England's most powerful Cistercian monasteries. (Image: WyrdLight.com via Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).
The reign of Edward IV begins #OnThisDay in 1461. He is pictured here in a 15th century portrait from the Royal Collection. (Image:© Royal Collection)
More medieval news from earlier this year! First, the bones of early medieval bishops and royals reinterred after painstaking project: tinyurl.com/socmedarch66 . And a princely burial unearthed at the Sizewell C site: tinyurl.com/socmedarch67
Happy St. David's Day to our Welsh followers. Tradition holds that St. David died #OnThisDay in 589 or 601. Medieval depictions of the saint are scarce but this Victorian stained glass window from the Church of St. Mary, Nercwys, incorporates some medieval glass fragments. (Image: © Martin Crampin).
The Battle of Ancrum Moor took place #OnThisDay in 1545. It was part of the War of the Rough Wooing - a war attempting to put pressure on the Scots to agree to a marriage match between the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry VIII's son, Edward. (Image: Site of the battle ©Jim Barton CC BY-SA 2.0)
Dafydd ap Llywelyn died #OnThisDay in 1246. He is shown here in this 13th century manuscript drawing by Matthew Paris alongside his brother Gruffydd at the deathbed of their father Llywelyn the Great. (Image: Lampman via Wiki Commons Public Domain).
Two more medieval stories you might have missed! First, a new study reexamines the Pictish-Viking transition in Orkney: tinyurl.com/socmedarch64 . Second, the largest medieval cog yet found, discovered in the Øresund Strait: tinyurl.com/socmedarch65 (Image by Viking Ship Museum).
The reign of Robert II begins #OnThisDay in 1371. Robert was the first monarch of House of Stewart in Scotland. Pictured is a penny of Robert II minted in Edinburgh. (Image: Portable Antiquities Scheme CC BY-SA 4.0).
The Battle of Bramham Moor took place #OnThisDay in 1408. It was the final battle of the Percy Rebellion during which the Earl of Northumberland was killed and the power of the Percys was shattered. (Image: stone commemorating the battle, © David Rogers for Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0).
Philippa of Hainault was crowned #OnThisDay in 1330, despite having been Queen of England for two years already. She was also almost 5 months pregnant by this point! (Image of coronation from Froissard's Chronicles, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence and brother of Edward IV, was executed for treason #OnThisDay in 1478. He is said to have been drowned in a barrel of malmsey wine. This 16th century portrait of George was painted by Lucas Cornelisz de Koch. (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
The Second Battle of St. Alban's took place #OnThisDay in 1461. This portait of the victor, Margaret of Anjou, is from the Talbot of Shrewsbury. (Image: British Library, Royal 1 5 E VI f.2v).
Here are two more medieval news stories! First, a Silla Kingdom tomb excavated in South Korea: tinyurl.com/socmedarch62 Then, medieval graves unearthed in Poland: tinyurl.com/socmedarch63 (Image of Polish graves: Katarzyna Alagierska).
Titles and abstracts of 200 words should be sent to Dr Marion Shiner (shinerm@cardiff.ac.uk):
- deadline for papers: 29th May 2026
- deadline for posters: 28th August 2026
Early Medieval Wales Archaeology Research Group - Call for Papers and Posters for the 2026 Colloquium!
Papers are invited which focus on ‘Recent Research and Excavation in Wales’ relating to the late Roman and early medieval periods.
Two medieval news stories you might have missed! First, 13th century ship remains discovered in Malaysia: tinyurl.com/socmedarch60 . Then, medieval armour unearthed in Georgia: tinyurl.com/socmedarch61 (Image: Rustavi City Hall).
Quick reminder that our Call for Papers is now open! We are delighted to be partnering with @uoyarchaeology and @medievalstudiesyork for a jam-packed conference on the theme of Heritage Science, at the @guildhallyork
Full details here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/sma-conferen...
Some more medieval news stories! First, a 1300-year-old tomb of an Avar warrior uncovered in Hungary: tinyurl.com/socmedarch58 . And, medieval artefacts discovered in the nests of vultures: tinyurl.com/socmedarch59
Two recent(ish) medieval news stories for you! First, a 16th century inn discovered in Pakistan: tinyurl.com/socmedarch56 . Then, a solid silver Saxon cross goes on display for the first time in Leeds: tinyurl.com/socmedarch57
The second reign of Æthelred begins #OnThisDay in 1014. He is pictured here in a detail from an illuminated page in the Chronicle of Abingdon (Image: British Library MS Cott. Claude B.VI folio 87, verso).
The Battle of Mortimer's Cross took place #OnThisDay in 1461 (though some sources say 3rd Feb). A major battle of the Wars of the Roses, it saw forces loyal to Henry VI defeated by the army of Edward, Earl of March (Edward IV). (Image: British Library Harley MS 7353 f1r CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Joan, Lady of Wales, died #OnThisDay in 1237. Pictured is a detail of a sarcophagus which has been attributed to Joan in St. Mary's and St. Nicholas's Church, Beaumaris (Image: Llywelyn2000 via Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).
📢 CALL FOR PAPERS!
We're delighted to announce details of this year's SMA Annual Conference. Theme is Heritage Science & the call for papers is now open. Full details on the conference & how to submit abstract are available here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/sma-c…
We look forward to hearing from you!
The "Joust of Lincoln" took place #OnThisDay in 1141. The forces of King Stephen were besieging the city but were attacked by relief forces loyal to Empress Matilda. Stephen was captured and Matilda ruled for a short time. Image of Lincoln Castle (© Jo and Steve Turner via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
The coronation of Edward III took place #OnThisDay in 1327. Edward was just 14 years old and his coronation marked the beginning of one of the longest reigns in English history (50 years). (Image: posthumous miniature of Edward III c. 1430-1440, British Library, Stowe 594 ff. 7v).
A cult of worship grew following her death and she was eventually made a saint. Pictured is a Frankish swivel seal matrix of the 7th century with the inscription "Baldehildis" which has been attributed to Balthild (Image: The Trustees of The British Museum CC BY SA 4.0).
