Dr Adele (Del) Sykes

Another not-to-be-missed upcoming talk. If you’re in the York area, support the preservation of the 14th century Bedern Vicars Choral hall and hear Jeremy’s talk on the York Passion Plays - to the accompaniment of fabulous cake.

Our cartographer, working on the base map for the London on the Eve of the Great Fire Atlas, came across this interesting juxtaposition of streets this week. @londonist.com has already highlighted it in a recent blog post here londonist.com/london/trump...
Perhaps we can find out more!

Free online talk about our project to map London on the eve of the Great Fire, anyone?
With @historictownstrust.bsky.social

I am very proud to be a part of the team producing this tremendous resource. Come and hear @joesaunders1.bsky.social talk about what goes into researching and mapping an atlas project of this magnitude.

Morgan's 1682 map of London. Black and white, showing Tower Bridge, Wapping the Thames and Bermondsey.

Delighted to be continuing as a research assistant on the London on the Eve of the Great Fire project. To support the creation of this Atlas and Gazetteer of 1665-6 London then consider a donation to the project. @historictownstrust.bsky.social 🗃️ shop.historictownstrust.uk/product/donate

Free downloads…

www.tandfonline.com/eprint/ZIHM8...

Abstract This article uses socio-political research on wardship practices in late fourteenth-century London to provide a fresh perspective on the broader political turmoil of the period. By examining the social politics of key civic figures like John Pecche, a draper and alderman who exploited guardianship for personal gain, the article reveals a clearer picture of societal dissatisfaction. Pecche’s exploited ward, John Costantyn, later aligned with John Northampton, a reformist politician who advocated for transparency and ethical governance. Costantyn’s resentment toward his manipulated guardianship, alongside Northampton’s moral campaign, added fuel to a wave of civic unrest, ultimately leading to Costantyn’s execution. Through these interconnected lives, this article presents the role of civic guardianship as a catalyst in reshaping accountability and transparency, and examines how personal ambition, social responsibility, and political reform converged, ultimately transforming urban governance and the expectations of civic leaders in late medieval London.

First up is 'The Politics of Wardship: A New Perspective on Societal Dissatisfaction and Civic Unrest in Late Fourteenth-Century London', by @dralrs.bsky.social: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

A genuine question on Philippa Langley’s statement following the settlement in favour of Richard Taylor in The Lost King defamation case: Wouldn’t (or couldn’t) the 18 months-in-the-making “detailed and extensive witness statement” have been considered anyway? Judgement was reached in July.

I'll be speaking (alongside @dralrs.bsky.social) in session 842 at @imc-leeds.bsky.social on Tuesday next week - a session concentrating on writing and documents in civic and commemorative contexts. Please come along and see what we have to say! 📜 #Medievalsky #Skystorians

Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society - University of London Press Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society is an ambitious and innovative study of the social, political and religious histories of medieval England and Wales. Using the Palmers’ Guild of Ludlow as a...

My book has a cover! Out in November with @uolpress.bsky.social @royalhistsoc.org @ihr.bsky.social

#skystorians #medievalsky

The logo of the Historic Towns Trust with a map

For the final part of our lecture series with the Historic Towns Trust, join us on 29 April to hear Tom Pickles give a talk entitled 'A City of Flows?: Chester, 400-1500.'

Find out more: ow.ly/YuV950TOiSb

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll

What is a town? What exactly is a town? The answer to this question has been debated for many decades by medieval historians. This blog post explores why this has proven so difficult, how the debate is being shape…

In our latest #UrbanHistory blog post, Joe Chick examines medieval small towns to ask a big question: what is a town?

#medievalsky @archanchistleic.bsky.social

Abstract This article uses socio-political research on wardship practices in late fourteenth-century London to provide a fresh perspective on the broader political turmoil of the period. By examining the social politics of key civic figures like John Pecche, a draper and alderman who exploited guardianship for personal gain, the article reveals a clearer picture of societal dissatisfaction. Pecche’s exploited ward, John Costantyn, later aligned with John Northampton, a reformist politician who advocated for transparency and ethical governance. Costantyn’s resentment toward his manipulated guardianship, alongside Northampton’s moral campaign, added fuel to a wave of civic unrest, ultimately leading to Costantyn’s execution. Through these interconnected lives, this article presents the role of civic guardianship as a catalyst in reshaping accountability and transparency, and examines how personal ambition, social responsibility, and political reform converged, ultimately transforming urban governance and the expectations of civic leaders in late medieval London.

NEW ARTICLE: 'The Politics of Wardship: A New Perspective on Societal Dissatisfaction and Civic Unrest in Late Fourteenth-Century London', by @dralrs.bsky.social.

Congratulations!

The Politics of Wardship: A New Perspective on Societal Dissatisfaction and Civic Unrest in Late Fourteenth-Century London This article uses socio-political research on wardship practices in late fourteenth-century London to provide a fresh perspective on the broader political turmoil of the period. By examining the so...

Pleased to be able to present this article on social politics in 1380s London (including riots, rebellion & a street execution!), evolved from a winning piece in the Curriers’ essay prize of 2022. With thanks to @ihr.bsky.social and @thelondonjournal.bsky.social. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/ZIHM8...

The Book of the Year has landed on my doorstep! This luxuriously produced volume with stunning colour plates and 32 fabulous essays is available for the bargain price of just £35. yorkisthistorytrust.org/publications...
I’m delighted to have been a part of it.

It has arrived! I am so happy to have been part of this publication, launched in #YorkistHistoryTrust's Ruby Anniversary year and celebrating the Trust's former secretary and chair, the wonderful Carolyn and Peter Hammond. Huge thanks to @richardasquith.bsky.social and Christian Steer for editing.

Clever.
But one of the great unanswerable questions of the universe thus remains.

Had just The Best Day in London seeing the Medieval Women British Library exhibition. Highlights for me: Eleanor Rykener’s case reported in the London Mayor’s court; the Breviarium Bartholomei medical compendium and the actual book of Margery Kempe (first time I’ve seen the original).

I was in York today for a terrific talk on the medieval Bedern hall. But on the way I stopped All Saints, North Street where four years of restoration has brought the church back to its colourful medieval heyday. The rood screen is a 20th c. replica, but against that newly restored ceiling… wow!

The logo of the Historic Towns Trust, and a map

Join us tonight for our talk in collaboration with The Historic Towns Trust, where David Bowler will be considering the ways in which we can find historic Perth.

Find out more: ow.ly/X9Pc50TObJr

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll

What happens when a medieval market town meets the the Industrial Revolution? Come and find out on 25th Feb.

@imc-leeds.bsky.social - preliminary programme is out for 2025. Last session on Tuesday.
Just before pub-time. 😁

Come along and hear the most excellent @sarahrj.bsky.social for a January treat. There’s cake and a beautiful medieval setting. (And a few Historic Towns Trust maps for sale)

The New Medieval Map of London Maps Mania is a blog dedicated to tracking the very best digital interactive maps on the internet and the tools used to create them.

The New Medieval Map of London - there are no true maps of Medieval London so the Historic Towns Trust created one.
googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-...

The Historic Towns Trust logo and a map

Our collaboration with the Historic Towns Trust is back! Join us on 28 January, where David Bowler will be considering the ways in which we can find historic Perth.

Find out more: ow.ly/AKxb50TObxX

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll

The house has fallen silent after 24 hours of adults, children and dogs: soft play bouncing, game playing, head-swivelling multiple-conversational, bouncing-off-the-walls madness.
Antidote… a quiet sofa, coffee and proofs.

As promised, here is our new starter pack of scholars working on London from a range of different perspectives. If you've any recommendations as to anyone else who should be in here (including yourself), do let us know!

We're looking to put together a starter pack of scholars working on London from different disciplinary perspectives - history, literature, geography, film, politics etc. If you work on London and would like to be added, or know of someone else who should be, please do let us know!

Yes please. I am just about to publish an essay with you on 14th century social politics (and opportunistic aldermen).