Will Wyeth

Paid for a book through work a few years ago (reference book for medievalist costume) and it’s disappeared. Problem ‘owning’ digital copy vs owning physical copy I suppose.

Think long and short is the quoins/coins, skeuomorph is the ‘timber’, magnificent is the building!

The Teutonic crusade in Prussia: reconstruction of a medieval fortified settlement complex at Unisław Archaeological investigations at Unisław in western Poland have revealed a previously unknown stronghold of the Teutonic Order—the first of its type discovered in Prussia. Comprising a timber-and-earth fortress erected on an older Slavic settlement, the complex functioned up to the AD 1320s, before being replaced by a masonry castle. This new evidence illuminates how such strongholds developed during the colonisation and formative years of the State of the Teutonic Order, and highlights the need for the reconsideration of assumptions concerning the associated architecture.

In modern Poland, the Teutonic Knights built strongholds to facilitate Christianisation. Not just fortresses, they played a key role in colonisation, enforcing the implementation of a new social system to subjugate the pagan population 2/2

🔗 from 2019 (£) doi.org/10.15184/aqy...

❤️

Occurs to me now that the outer surface of the door has graffiti (arrowheads) v similar to another door from this space, on display. That door is v likely 15th c in date. This door has iron strips overlying the graffiti, and the strips align w the hasps and jamb-set loops. Good phasing here.

That’s a shame. The two chambers are interesting, though the ‘oratory’ is deeply confusing mess of early walling.

Photograph of the door check on the open arc side of the door. There is no evidence for a lock slot or bolt.

Photograph of a graffiti crowned figure in the masonry jamb by a loop in the stonework.

I think this is a post-med interloper bc there is no evidence of a lock or bolt slot in the jamb, which is wild for a room w 850+ years of history (and a prison to boot). Plus, the loops on the jambs are cut into the stone, not laid between courses (per pintles, for ex).

Lastly, bonus graffiti!

Photograph of the inside face of an old timber door in the keep at Carlisle Castle. The door is very worn but it’s possible to see an internal board (horizontal), and the outer boards of the front face are readily viable (vertical). On the upper left side is a square insert of timber, perhaps replacing a stock lock.

Photograph of the profile of the door side, showing two skins, a section of bolts passing through the doo, and a hanging hasp.

Photograph of the outside face of the door, showing long sections of iron strips fitted to the door vertically and horizontally. The stone jambs feature the famous graffiti of the castle.

Photograph of the top of the inside face of the door. There are feint traces of simple linear graffiti here too.

A strapping iron-strapped door from Carlisle Castle’s keep for #ADoorAbleThursday. 2-skin post-med interloper, from what has been called a ‘Prison’ (probs not in medieval era).

Inner face has poss stock lock (replaced), outer face had 4 loops fitted w hasps secured to jamb-set loops & locks. Oh my!

2026 Ceræ Call For Papers We are pleased to announce that the theme for Volume 13 of Ceræ, as well as for our 3rd annual online Conference, is Fame and Fortune. We invite submissions to both the conference and the journal on this theme. Fame and fortune are slippery things. They can be welcome or ironic, tangible or out of reach. Fame could be the due of the martyred saint; fortune could be a punishment, as when the hapless cleric in the Marian 

2026 Ceræ Call For Papers

We are pleased to announce that the theme for Volume 13 of Ceræ, as well as for our 3rd annual online Conference, is Fame and Fortune. We invite submissions to both the conference and the journal on this theme. Fame and fortune are slippery things. They can be welcome or…

Photograph of the east end of Carlisle Cathedral, looking towards a very large tall traceries window. The ceiling is barrel-vaulted, but is set with panels of blue each filled with gold stars. The frames are also Gold.

Another photograph of the ceiling of the east end of Carlisle Cathedral. The impression is like looking up at the night sky.

Blown away by the ceiling at Carlisle Cathedral. A starry firmament.

Appel à contribution – Conquête et créativité : les dynamiques de l’innovation en contexte de conquête dans les mondes normands médiévaux (Xe-XIIIe s.) Colloque conclusif du programme. Rome, 27-29 octobre 2026 Ce colloque doit conclure le programme Pax normanna[1] (resp. Pierre Bauduin, Université de Caen-Normandie/CRAHAM, et Annick Peters-Cu…

Appel à contribution – Conquête et créativité : les dynamiques de l’innovation en contexte de conquête dans les mondes normands médiévaux (Xe-XIIIe s.)

rmblf.be/2026/01/28/a...

The cover of The Crown's Silence: The Hidden History of the British Monarchy and Slavery in the Americas--out TODAY with Mariner!

Out today: THE CROWN'S SILENCE

I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Coloured flyer promoting the call for papers for the 26th Annual Cambridge Heritage Symposium. The top of the flyer is filled by an image of a silver globe shot through with gold resting in a silver bowl and held by a pair of hands. The text below describes the theme, key dates and location of the symposium plus the organising and sponsoring institutions.

CfP: 26th Annual Cambridge Heritage Symposium.

Theme: The Role of Heritage in Shaping Ontological Security in the Contemporary World.

Submissions Deadline: 15 February 2026.

Full details: www.heritage.arch.cam.ac.uk/files/media/...

There really is. If anyone cares to write an academic article for our Journal or a short less-formal piece for our Magazine on the topic of building sites, do message us.

This piece is great. For all I’m pleased that castle studies has broadened its field of operation to beyond art history and architectural history, there is something to be said for dwelling a lot more on the building site.

Great piece, crystallises a few threads I’ve pondered re my own area of work.

"[Barn] raisings are a model for examining the entirety of building as a relational practice, and the ways architectural work is embedded in, dependent on, and facilitated by structures of the economy, family, labor, and risk."

Photograph of an exposed section of bedrock at Dunadd hill fort. In the centre of the image is a carved hollow the size of a human adult foot.

I didn’t realise it might be a two-factor authentication type thing, I’ll know for next time. Here’s the spot pre-inaug. Fear my kingship was v short lived, ie 17 July 2017 - 17 July 2017.

Inaugurated myself as King of Dunadd last time I was there. It was very cold.

Maybe a jackdaw? 10/10 castle too.

David Wengrow | Against the Grotian Tradition The World Economic Forum in Davos is ending with talk of a rupture in world affairs, a collapse of international law, a...

www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/ja...

Photograph of a 15th-century image depicting The Annunciation in The Courtauld Gallery, London. The Label reads: Master of the Judgement of Paris (active around 1400-1450) The Annunciation Around 1430-40 Egg tempera and gold leaf on wood Although small in scale, this work is full of colour and drama. The angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary, sitting in the courtyard of her house, that she is miraculously pregnant with the son of God. Nearby, the Holy Spirit appears as a dove. The rich composition and lively details encourage viewers to explore the scene and contemplate the importance of the event. Mark Gambier-Parry bequest, 1966

Zoomed-in image of the same item, focussing on an ajar door on the background.

Angelic C15 portal for #ADoorAbleThursday from The Courtauld Gallery. An apparently frame-built door w ledges & studs as ornamentation. A pull-ring is visible on the middle ledge.

While the door is square-headed, the masonry doorway has a more ornate shouldered arch. The door swings away from us.

This is official Reform Party policy. 👇🏻

The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...

Photograph of a rocky bay with sea water rushing in.

From lunchtime wander.

First episode of #AKOTSK was great fun, and departure from Game of Thrones and HotD. Low key, slow, quiet. Looking forward to next one!

Written in 2022, revised in 2024, published in 2026!

Trill, S., Beattie, C. (2024). Alice Thornton. In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Early Modern Women's Writing. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. doi-org.eux.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/978-...

#EarlyModern 🗃️ 📚

I was assaulted by a castle (I hit my head on a door arch). I believe it was 700 years old.

Manchester University Press - At home with the poor At home with the poor - Browse and buy the Paperback edition of At home with the poor by Joseph Harley

Promo time.

My book 'At home with the poor' is now available in paperback! Plus all books on MUP are 40% off at the mo so you can get it for £15...

manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526194749/

The unapologetic Perpendicular of Burwell Church in Cambs on a glorious winter day. Built in 1460s prob under direction of Reginald of Ely - free due to hiatus in King's College Chapel works bc of the Wars of the Roses; the best feature is the wooden panels under roofs, carved like misericords.