Calum Cockburn
@ccockburn.bsky.social
Curator of Medieval Manuscripts @BritishLibrary posting images of manuscripts from the library's collections.
He/him 🌈
He/him 🌈
An interim version of the Explore Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue is now available through the BL website: searcharchives.bl.uk
It contains all the catalogue data from the eve of the 2023 cyberattack, and features embedded links to all currently available digitised content within the records.
It contains all the catalogue data from the eve of the 2023 cyberattack, and features embedded links to all currently available digitised content within the records.
December 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
An interim version of the Explore Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue is now available through the BL website: searcharchives.bl.uk
It contains all the catalogue data from the eve of the 2023 cyberattack, and features embedded links to all currently available digitised content within the records.
It contains all the catalogue data from the eve of the 2023 cyberattack, and features embedded links to all currently available digitised content within the records.
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
British Library Chief Executive steps down after less than a year: www.bl.uk/about/press/...
British Library Board statement
The British Library Board has announced that Rebecca Lawrence has stepped down as Chief Executive.
www.bl.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
British Library Chief Executive steps down after less than a year: www.bl.uk/about/press/...
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
British Library Board statement: www.bl.uk/about/press/...
November 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
British Library Board statement: www.bl.uk/about/press/...
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
Publication day! My book on the Knights Hospitaller, 'Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Medieval Britain' is now out. Available in all good and evil bookshops: www.amazon.co.uk/Warrior-Monk...
September 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Publication day! My book on the Knights Hospitaller, 'Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Medieval Britain' is now out. Available in all good and evil bookshops: www.amazon.co.uk/Warrior-Monk...
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
A strolling eagle looking at the stars. LFC Ch XXV 12. #medievalsky
September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
A strolling eagle looking at the stars. LFC Ch XXV 12. #medievalsky
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
Author copies! My book on the Knights Hospitaller and their part in medieval Britain's wars, politics, and intrigue will be out on 25 September. #medievalsky
August 31, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Author copies! My book on the Knights Hospitaller and their part in medieval Britain's wars, politics, and intrigue will be out on 25 September. #medievalsky
In June 1513, Henry VIII launched an invasion of France, attempting to reclaim lost English lands.
Today's blogpost by @rorymaclellan.bsky.social looks at three documents which shine a light on the preparations for this campaign and the supply of armour for Henry's troops.
t.co/rYaeYw6Jbq
Today's blogpost by @rorymaclellan.bsky.social looks at three documents which shine a light on the preparations for this campaign and the supply of armour for Henry's troops.
t.co/rYaeYw6Jbq
July 30, 2025 at 11:06 PM
In June 1513, Henry VIII launched an invasion of France, attempting to reclaim lost English lands.
Today's blogpost by @rorymaclellan.bsky.social looks at three documents which shine a light on the preparations for this campaign and the supply of armour for Henry's troops.
t.co/rYaeYw6Jbq
Today's blogpost by @rorymaclellan.bsky.social looks at three documents which shine a light on the preparations for this campaign and the supply of armour for Henry's troops.
t.co/rYaeYw6Jbq
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
A post on my latest cataloguing project: the Campbell Charters, which include a collection of grants from Scotland's kings and a roll for calculating dice probabilities. #medievalsky
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
Cataloguing the Campbell charters
A new project is underway to examine an important collection of charters and rolls housed at the British Library. The Campbell charters are being catalogued as part of the British Library’s Hidden Col...
blogs.bl.uk
July 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
A post on my latest cataloguing project: the Campbell Charters, which include a collection of grants from Scotland's kings and a roll for calculating dice probabilities. #medievalsky
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
For our latest exhibition 'Unfolding Time: The Medieval Pocket Calendar', we borrowed two concertina-fold almanacs from @britishlibrary.bsky.social. To learn more about these remarkable objects, check out this blog by @ccockburn.bsky.social. blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman... pic.x.com/jAoEC1Ct87
March 7, 2025 at 2:06 PM
For our latest exhibition 'Unfolding Time: The Medieval Pocket Calendar', we borrowed two concertina-fold almanacs from @britishlibrary.bsky.social. To learn more about these remarkable objects, check out this blog by @ccockburn.bsky.social. blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman... pic.x.com/jAoEC1Ct87
My latest post for @BLMedieval looks through the folds of a fascinating collection of concertina-fold almanacs, currently on loan to @lampallib.bsky.social's latest exhibition, Unfolding Time: The Medieval Pocket Almanac.
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
March 7, 2025 at 9:47 AM
My latest post for @BLMedieval looks through the folds of a fascinating collection of concertina-fold almanacs, currently on loan to @lampallib.bsky.social's latest exhibition, Unfolding Time: The Medieval Pocket Almanac.
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
More thoughts on Eleanor Rykener in the BL's #MedievalWomen exhibition.
Her inclusion is majorly important, not just because of *her* importance as a beacon of trans visibility in the historical record, but also the current anti-trans environment in the UK & elsewhere
Her inclusion is majorly important, not just because of *her* importance as a beacon of trans visibility in the historical record, but also the current anti-trans environment in the UK & elsewhere
February 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
More thoughts on Eleanor Rykener in the BL's #MedievalWomen exhibition.
Her inclusion is majorly important, not just because of *her* importance as a beacon of trans visibility in the historical record, but also the current anti-trans environment in the UK & elsewhere
Her inclusion is majorly important, not just because of *her* importance as a beacon of trans visibility in the historical record, but also the current anti-trans environment in the UK & elsewhere
It's the final week of our #MedievalWomen exhibition and we've been working on restoring our Medieval and Renaissance Women digitisation project online. The first manuscripts are now available!
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
February 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
It's the final week of our #MedievalWomen exhibition and we've been working on restoring our Medieval and Renaissance Women digitisation project online. The first manuscripts are now available!
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
So pleased to reveal a project I've been working on the last few months: an animation inspired by our Medieval Women exhibition, telling the story of five of its key figures.
The full animation can be seen in today's post on the Medieval MSS blog!
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
The full animation can be seen in today's post on the Medieval MSS blog!
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
January 7, 2025 at 12:09 AM
So pleased to reveal a project I've been working on the last few months: an animation inspired by our Medieval Women exhibition, telling the story of five of its key figures.
The full animation can be seen in today's post on the Medieval MSS blog!
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
The full animation can be seen in today's post on the Medieval MSS blog!
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
The ivory cross of Sibylla, Countess of Flanders, currently on display in our Medieval Women exhibition. She was left as regent while her husband was on Crusade; decided to join him on his next trip and then left him to join a convent outside Jerusalem.
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
December 3, 2024 at 12:37 PM
The ivory cross of Sibylla, Countess of Flanders, currently on display in our Medieval Women exhibition. She was left as regent while her husband was on Crusade; decided to join him on his next trip and then left him to join a convent outside Jerusalem.
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
On this day in 1290, Eleanor of Castile, Queen of England died. Her body was taken from Lincoln to Westminster to be buried and 12 stone crosses were later commissioned to mark the route and later became known as the Eleanor Crosses.
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
November 28, 2024 at 12:16 AM
On this day in 1290, Eleanor of Castile, Queen of England died. Her body was taken from Lincoln to Westminster to be buried and 12 stone crosses were later commissioned to mark the route and later became known as the Eleanor Crosses.
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
An order for the enclosure of an anchoress in her anchorhold, from a 15th-century Pontifical (Lansdowne MS 451, f. 76v)
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
November 25, 2024 at 2:26 PM
An order for the enclosure of an anchoress in her anchorhold, from a 15th-century Pontifical (Lansdowne MS 451, f. 76v)
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
There are many good reasons to visit our #MedievalWomen exhibition, and the BL shop’s themed Christmas jumper is definitely one of them 🎅🎅
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanus…
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanus…
November 24, 2024 at 12:18 AM
There are many good reasons to visit our #MedievalWomen exhibition, and the BL shop’s themed Christmas jumper is definitely one of them 🎅🎅
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanus…
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanus…
Having fun exploring magical manuscripts today, with some fantastic charms, including ‘how to make a loaf of bread dance in an oven or on a table’ (involves putting quicksilver/mercury in the dough) and ‘how to make stars seem like they’re lying on the ground’.
November 20, 2024 at 1:54 PM
Having fun exploring magical manuscripts today, with some fantastic charms, including ‘how to make a loaf of bread dance in an oven or on a table’ (involves putting quicksilver/mercury in the dough) and ‘how to make stars seem like they’re lying on the ground’.
Reposted by Calum Cockburn
In case you haven't heard – Medieval Women: In Their Own Words is open! *cue medieval fanfare*
Step into the Middle Ages and explore the lives of women both well-known and long-forgotten, and their stories of creativity, courage, and resilience: bit.ly/BLMedievalWo...
P.S. Members go free!
Step into the Middle Ages and explore the lives of women both well-known and long-forgotten, and their stories of creativity, courage, and resilience: bit.ly/BLMedievalWo...
P.S. Members go free!
November 18, 2024 at 5:38 PM
In case you haven't heard – Medieval Women: In Their Own Words is open! *cue medieval fanfare*
Step into the Middle Ages and explore the lives of women both well-known and long-forgotten, and their stories of creativity, courage, and resilience: bit.ly/BLMedievalWo...
P.S. Members go free!
Step into the Middle Ages and explore the lives of women both well-known and long-forgotten, and their stories of creativity, courage, and resilience: bit.ly/BLMedievalWo...
P.S. Members go free!
A copy of Cicero’s treatise on Old Age, written by Ippolita Maria Sforza in 1458, when she was only 14 years old (Add MS 21984)
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
November 15, 2024 at 12:31 AM
A copy of Cicero’s treatise on Old Age, written by Ippolita Maria Sforza in 1458, when she was only 14 years old (Add MS 21984)
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...
Found this edition of Vita Sackville-West’s biography of Joan of Arc, with these gorgeous woodcuts and a reproduction of her signature on the cover. #MedievalWomen
November 9, 2024 at 6:35 PM
Found this edition of Vita Sackville-West’s biography of Joan of Arc, with these gorgeous woodcuts and a reproduction of her signature on the cover. #MedievalWomen
Starting again on here! A few behind the scenes shots from our Medieval Women exhibition.
November 9, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Starting again on here! A few behind the scenes shots from our Medieval Women exhibition.