Medieval Archaeology

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📢 PhD Opportunity alert! The University of Bergen is offering a PhD Research Fellowship in medieval archaeology, linked to the interdisciplinary research group "Medieval history - religion and everyday life". For full details: buff.ly/4ifRyrS

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).

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).

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).

The Second Battle of St. Alban's took place #OnThisDay in 1461. This portrait of the victor, Margaret of Anjou, is from the Talbot of Shrewsbury. (Image: British Library, Royal 1 5 E VI f.2v).

This week's #Take5 is French medieval cathedrals. Clockwise from top left: Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d'Orléans, Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers, Basilique Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens, Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Privat de Mende.

Second, archaeologists have uncovered a significant Viking-Age building in Cumbria. See: buff.ly/40ZOTvH

Two exciting recent #medieval discoveries, in case you missed them! First, researchers have identified the home of Harold Godwinson, last Anglo-Saxon king of England. See: buff.ly/4gDQey0

Sir John D'Abernon II (the Elder), in Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey; Sir Roger de Trumpington, in Trumpington church, Cambridgeshire. (3/3)

Thomas Berkeley ("The Magnificent"), 5th Baron Berkeley, and Margaret de Lisle in St. Mary the Virgin church, Wootton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire; Sir John Foxley and his 2 wives, Matilda and Joan Martyn, in St. Michael's Church, Bray, Berkshire; (2/3)

This week's #Take5 is Monumental Brasses - a type of engraved sepulchral monument that was once common throughout western Europe. Clockwise from top left: Simon de Felbrigge and his wife Margaret of Teschen, found in St. Margaret's Church, Felbrigg, Norfolk; 1/3

#OnThisDay in 1301 Edward of Caernarfon is made Prince of Wales by his father Edward I, as depicted in this early 14th century illustration. (Image: British Library MS Cotton Nero D II fol.191v).

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).

Joan (Siwan), Lady of Wales and wife of Llywelyn the Great, 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).

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 (© ITV.com).

Clockwise from top left: lozenge-shaped pendant (SF-C42D4D); shield-shaped pendant (BUC-BBA909); quatrefoil pendant (YORYM-FC2D74); cruciform pendant with square boss (SUR-DD303F); circular mount & pendant (IOW-9141E8)

After a short break, #Take5 is back! This week we have harness pendants - decorative items that hung from the harnesses of horses and of which there is a marvellous variety of forms. Examples are from the PAS database (buff.ly/40DzLUp).

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). 2/2

Balthild of Chelles died #OnThisDay in 680. Tradition has it that she was sold into slavery as a young girl before becoming queen consort of the Frankish King Clovis II. She founded several abbies and was famous for her charitable work, as well as being a capable queen regent./1