Carin Ruff
@carinr.bsky.social
Medievalist, Latinist, paleographer, Episcopalian, with novel in progress. DC-based, with beagle. Web: ruffnotes.org
Cover image is from the Reichenau Gospels, Walters Art Museum MS W7 fol. 7r.
Cover image is from the Reichenau Gospels, Walters Art Museum MS W7 fol. 7r.
Pinned
Carin Ruff
@carinr.bsky.social
· Feb 25
Pinned intro: Most days I make a post about medieval manuscripts associated with a saint of the day and discuss their #paleography. I generally follow medievalists, book history people, Episcopal/Anglican folks, and local Washington, DC history/civic affairs/statehood peeps.
Reposted by Carin Ruff
Only 13 #Manuscripts from the #Vatican this week www.wiglaf.org/vatican/2025...
Contains: Ge'ez liturgy, obsequious Barberini poetry, a text on how to build and use a clock, poetry by Il Porcellio, commentaries on Aristotle, and more
#MedievalSky #Skystorians
Contains: Ge'ez liturgy, obsequious Barberini poetry, a text on how to build and use a clock, poetry by Il Porcellio, commentaries on Aristotle, and more
#MedievalSky #Skystorians
Vatican Manuscripts Added Week 47 of 2025
Only thirteen manuscripts were digitized in the past week. Despite the small numbers, the recent pattern of distributions was maintained: Barb.lat led with five, Comb and Ott.lat added four each.
T...
www.wiglaf.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Only 13 #Manuscripts from the #Vatican this week www.wiglaf.org/vatican/2025...
Contains: Ge'ez liturgy, obsequious Barberini poetry, a text on how to build and use a clock, poetry by Il Porcellio, commentaries on Aristotle, and more
#MedievalSky #Skystorians
Contains: Ge'ez liturgy, obsequious Barberini poetry, a text on how to build and use a clock, poetry by Il Porcellio, commentaries on Aristotle, and more
#MedievalSky #Skystorians
I went across town to #touchpews at the Rite I Eucharist for Late Sleepers and was rewarded with Mozart's Mass in C major as the service music. Bonus: the Cathedral carillon playing "Let all mortal flesh keep silence" as I walked to church across the Close, and change-ringing as I left. ⚓️
November 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I went across town to #touchpews at the Rite I Eucharist for Late Sleepers and was rewarded with Mozart's Mass in C major as the service music. Bonus: the Cathedral carillon playing "Let all mortal flesh keep silence" as I walked to church across the Close, and change-ringing as I left. ⚓️
Hot take: If my phone were really surveilling me, it would know by now that I am NEVER making notes to myself about the paleontology of Linda's farm.
November 23, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hot take: If my phone were really surveilling me, it would know by now that I am NEVER making notes to myself about the paleontology of Linda's farm.
For the feast of Columbanus, d. 615, let me repost this thread, which links to other threads, about the script of Luxeuil, which was founded by Columbanus. Note that Columbanus founded Luxeuil in the 590s but the famous script dates from the early 700s.
Yay!!! Lisa lays it all out, with a particularly useful example of the difference btw the TE and ET ligatures downthread. I'll drop links to a few earlier discussions of other Luxeuil MSS below. #medievalsky
For today’s #BreakfastPaleography, by popular demand, let’s learn to read every paleography student’s nightmare, Luxeuil Minuscule! But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be scary.
November 23, 2025 at 1:59 PM
For the feast of Columbanus, d. 615, let me repost this thread, which links to other threads, about the script of Luxeuil, which was founded by Columbanus. Note that Columbanus founded Luxeuil in the 590s but the famous script dates from the early 700s.
*zooms in*
Sunday in the library: lecture by prof. Thijs Porck on fragments of an 11th century Bible glossed in Old English.
November 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
*zooms in*
Reposted by Carin Ruff
lol watching the NWSL final, which is taking place in San Jose, and Washington Spirit fans started shouting the now customary "Free DC!" chant at the 51st minute.
An announcer just calmly comments fans are "raising their voices," leaving unsaid at least 2 layers of pretty intense political subtext.
An announcer just calmly comments fans are "raising their voices," leaving unsaid at least 2 layers of pretty intense political subtext.
November 23, 2025 at 2:36 AM
lol watching the NWSL final, which is taking place in San Jose, and Washington Spirit fans started shouting the now customary "Free DC!" chant at the 51st minute.
An announcer just calmly comments fans are "raising their voices," leaving unsaid at least 2 layers of pretty intense political subtext.
An announcer just calmly comments fans are "raising their voices," leaving unsaid at least 2 layers of pretty intense political subtext.
One is grateful for that rare long footnote that makes clear what all the sniping has been about.
(Rupert Bruce-Mitford in St Cuthbert, his Cult and his Community to AD 1200, p. 178)
(Rupert Bruce-Mitford in St Cuthbert, his Cult and his Community to AD 1200, p. 178)
November 23, 2025 at 2:19 AM
One is grateful for that rare long footnote that makes clear what all the sniping has been about.
(Rupert Bruce-Mitford in St Cuthbert, his Cult and his Community to AD 1200, p. 178)
(Rupert Bruce-Mitford in St Cuthbert, his Cult and his Community to AD 1200, p. 178)
This is not a popular period to get excited about for historical costumers, but I gotta say I love the sleeves.
2/2 Two more beauties from the 1660s (one of them armed!) by Jan Mytens.
November 22, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This is not a popular period to get excited about for historical costumers, but I gotta say I love the sleeves.
Great new episode of Walking the Dogma: "Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments," featuring Bp. Jennifer Reddall. Good talk about Donatism, Title IV, discipline and reconciliation, the ministry of bishops, and more. ⚓
www.buzzsprout.com/2424165/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2424165/epis...
Ep. 22: Article XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments. - Walking the Dogma
What happens if your priest does something wrong? Even terribly wrong? Does that mean the Eucharist is unreal or tainted? No? Why not? What is the Church's response - how do we forgive and discipline ...
www.buzzsprout.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Great new episode of Walking the Dogma: "Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments," featuring Bp. Jennifer Reddall. Good talk about Donatism, Title IV, discipline and reconciliation, the ministry of bishops, and more. ⚓
www.buzzsprout.com/2424165/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2424165/epis...
Reposted by Carin Ruff
Last weekend I resumed blogging and have done another post today; I hope to maintain a weekly schedule.
The two new posts concern illuminated leaves from the collections of Victor Goldschmidt and Count Stroganoff.
mssprovenance.blogspot.com
The two new posts concern illuminated leaves from the collections of Victor Goldschmidt and Count Stroganoff.
mssprovenance.blogspot.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Last weekend I resumed blogging and have done another post today; I hope to maintain a weekly schedule.
The two new posts concern illuminated leaves from the collections of Victor Goldschmidt and Count Stroganoff.
mssprovenance.blogspot.com
The two new posts concern illuminated leaves from the collections of Victor Goldschmidt and Count Stroganoff.
mssprovenance.blogspot.com
Reposted by Carin Ruff
Saint Jerome in claustrophobic study taking a moment to commune w/ his very cute lion, entrant in Great Pets of History contest. Painted by Lorenzo Monaco, whose is today.
November 22, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Saint Jerome in claustrophobic study taking a moment to commune w/ his very cute lion, entrant in Great Pets of History contest. Painted by Lorenzo Monaco, whose is today.
Reposted by Carin Ruff
2/2 Why do the saints attending the Virgin's coronation seem so extremely ill-tempered?
November 21, 2025 at 10:37 PM
2/2 Why do the saints attending the Virgin's coronation seem so extremely ill-tempered?
Reposted by Carin Ruff
Noah, with his ark, which frankly does not look very seaworthy but OK, painter-monk Lorenzo Monaco was not a sailor. He painted this in 1408 and today is his day.
November 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Noah, with his ark, which frankly does not look very seaworthy but OK, painter-monk Lorenzo Monaco was not a sailor. He painted this in 1408 and today is his day.
Reposted by Carin Ruff
Good morning, friends, and happy Friday! I've got a busy day, full of travel, and I don't have time for a full-on historical eel tweet. But I know you need your eels.
So here...enjoy this wonderful marginal imagery showing you how *not* to catch any eel you might want to eat.
🗃️🧪
So here...enjoy this wonderful marginal imagery showing you how *not* to catch any eel you might want to eat.
🗃️🧪
November 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Good morning, friends, and happy Friday! I've got a busy day, full of travel, and I don't have time for a full-on historical eel tweet. But I know you need your eels.
So here...enjoy this wonderful marginal imagery showing you how *not* to catch any eel you might want to eat.
🗃️🧪
So here...enjoy this wonderful marginal imagery showing you how *not* to catch any eel you might want to eat.
🗃️🧪
Signal-boosting a plea for Greek paleography resources.
relatedly: does anyone know of a quick and dirty greek paleography guide online? it's been waaaaay too long since I've read 12th.-c Greek!
a fun little smily face at the end of that third line!
(but honestly: what is that?)
(but honestly: what is that?)
November 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Signal-boosting a plea for Greek paleography resources.
Reposted by Carin Ruff
This print reproduces the Alfred Jewel, a masterpiece of goldsmithing, ft. a tear-shaped slice of rock crystal, gold filigree & cloisonné enamel. It's believed to have been commissioned by King Alfred the Great as indicated by the inscription ÆLFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN = Alfred ordered me to be made.
November 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This print reproduces the Alfred Jewel, a masterpiece of goldsmithing, ft. a tear-shaped slice of rock crystal, gold filigree & cloisonné enamel. It's believed to have been commissioned by King Alfred the Great as indicated by the inscription ÆLFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN = Alfred ordered me to be made.
Reposted by Carin Ruff
What languages did the 35 hermits living in Jerusalem in 808 pray to God in? Charlemagne wanted to know, so he found out. (Mostly Greek and Syriac)
November 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
What languages did the 35 hermits living in Jerusalem in 808 pray to God in? Charlemagne wanted to know, so he found out. (Mostly Greek and Syriac)
Good evening from Dolly Beagle.
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Good evening from Dolly Beagle.
🌞 🌚 👀
Lunar eclipse and solar eclipse
Latin MS 53; Astronomia, Joachinus de Gigantibus, Christianus Prolianus; 1478; ff.38r,39v
@thejohnrylands.bsky.social
Latin MS 53; Astronomia, Joachinus de Gigantibus, Christianus Prolianus; 1478; ff.38r,39v
@thejohnrylands.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 10:03 PM
🌞 🌚 👀
My barista today responded to my order with, "As you wish." Unfortunately he did not look like Cary Elwes, but still, it was a moment.
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
My barista today responded to my order with, "As you wish." Unfortunately he did not look like Cary Elwes, but still, it was a moment.
Reposted by Carin Ruff
20th November is the feast of St Edmund King and Martyr. Here his severed head crying 'hic,hic,hic' adorns the vellum repairing f.322r.
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 002III; 'The Bury Bible'; 12th c; Bury St Edmunds Abbey; f.322r
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 002III; 'The Bury Bible'; 12th c; Bury St Edmunds Abbey; f.322r
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
20th November is the feast of St Edmund King and Martyr. Here his severed head crying 'hic,hic,hic' adorns the vellum repairing f.322r.
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 002III; 'The Bury Bible'; 12th c; Bury St Edmunds Abbey; f.322r
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 002III; 'The Bury Bible'; 12th c; Bury St Edmunds Abbey; f.322r
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
Reposted by Carin Ruff
20th November is the feast of St Edmund the Martyr whose martyrdom is depicted in these three mss.
BL Harley 4826, f.4r
BL Yates Thompson MS 47, f.49v
BL Harley 2278, f.61r
BL Harley 4826, f.4r
BL Yates Thompson MS 47, f.49v
BL Harley 2278, f.61r
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
20th November is the feast of St Edmund the Martyr whose martyrdom is depicted in these three mss.
BL Harley 4826, f.4r
BL Yates Thompson MS 47, f.49v
BL Harley 2278, f.61r
BL Harley 4826, f.4r
BL Yates Thompson MS 47, f.49v
BL Harley 2278, f.61r
Speaking of Ælfric, Abbo, and Edmund, I see that Brill is proposing to sell PDFs of the Toronto Medieval Latin Texts series, which are slim paperbacks of single-MS editions to teach with, for a hundred and forty-nine fucking dollars per volume. Shameless bastards.
brill.com/display/seri...
brill.com/display/seri...
November 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Speaking of Ælfric, Abbo, and Edmund, I see that Brill is proposing to sell PDFs of the Toronto Medieval Latin Texts series, which are slim paperbacks of single-MS editions to teach with, for a hundred and forty-nine fucking dollars per volume. Shameless bastards.
brill.com/display/seri...
brill.com/display/seri...
Reposted by Carin Ruff
For the feast of Saint Edmund Martyr, here is a new blogpost reflecting on the litany of the Odense breviary & its possible evidence of the cult of Edmund in medieval Denmark: my-albion.blogspot.com/2025/11/sain....
[Breviarium Othoniense 1482, f.91v]
[Breviarium Othoniense 1482, f.91v]
November 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
For the feast of Saint Edmund Martyr, here is a new blogpost reflecting on the litany of the Odense breviary & its possible evidence of the cult of Edmund in medieval Denmark: my-albion.blogspot.com/2025/11/sain....
[Breviarium Othoniense 1482, f.91v]
[Breviarium Othoniense 1482, f.91v]