Elizabeth Biggs
@elizabethbiggs.bsky.social
Medieval Exchequer Research Fellow, Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland @virtualtreasury.bsky.social; current research on medieval Ireland; book on Westminster; formerly UWE, York and Durham; was once called Irene Adler; dogs; she/her
Pinned
Our latest Archive Fever, "Rediscovering the Women of the Medieval Irish Exchequer" by @elizabethbiggs.bsky.social, explores the variety of ways in which individual women might encounter the exchequer and English government more broadly!
Read it here: virtualtreasury.ie/archive-feve...
Read it here: virtualtreasury.ie/archive-feve...
Slipping in under the wire is my last piece of writing for 2024 - a preview of an article that will come out in, wait for it, summer 2026.
It's a #medievalSky argument about women and the political community as seen through exchequer records.
It's a #medievalSky argument about women and the political community as seen through exchequer records.
The weather in London may be vile and I may be on the fourth line of this never ending Latin sentence, but I’ve got coffee and cake in the lovely RADA cafe to make it all better.
November 14, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The weather in London may be vile and I may be on the fourth line of this never ending Latin sentence, but I’ve got coffee and cake in the lovely RADA cafe to make it all better.
Um.
I have various writing deadlines looming at me this week/month, and I have just been to the shop to get chocolate-covered ginger, which has replaced my uni self-bribe of chocolate raisins.
I have various writing deadlines looming at me this week/month, and I have just been to the shop to get chocolate-covered ginger, which has replaced my uni self-bribe of chocolate raisins.
Absolutely devastating for my blood sugar levels that when I simply cannot persuade myself to write something ove been procrastinating the only thing that works is to buy a big bag of haribo and eat it at my desk as I type, getting more and more antsy and typing faster and faster as the sugar hits.
November 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Um.
I have various writing deadlines looming at me this week/month, and I have just been to the shop to get chocolate-covered ginger, which has replaced my uni self-bribe of chocolate raisins.
I have various writing deadlines looming at me this week/month, and I have just been to the shop to get chocolate-covered ginger, which has replaced my uni self-bribe of chocolate raisins.
Much needed and hopefully will lead to very exciting projects! Tight deadline, unfortunately.
The Courtauld is offering a a new fully funded Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture for eligible projects focusing on England from the eleventh to the early sixteenth centuries. Statement of intents are due by 17 November 2025.
Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture, Courtauld, statement of intent deadline 17 November 2025
The Courtauld is offering a a new fully funded Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture for eligible projects focusing on England from the eleventh to the early sixteenth centuries. Statement of intents are due by 17 November 2025.
medievalartresearch.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Much needed and hopefully will lead to very exciting projects! Tight deadline, unfortunately.
Today I get to keep going on an exciting translation, read about relics and liturgical items in late medieval Ireland, and try not to give myself a headache because I've broken my glasses like an idiot.
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Today I get to keep going on an exciting translation, read about relics and liturgical items in late medieval Ireland, and try not to give myself a headache because I've broken my glasses like an idiot.
Currently my mental state is being gently propped up by a hot chocolate shaker, seven-year old hiking shoes, and the autumn colours in the grey weather.
November 8, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Currently my mental state is being gently propped up by a hot chocolate shaker, seven-year old hiking shoes, and the autumn colours in the grey weather.
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
Published today: 'Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society. The Palmers' Guild of Ludlow', by Rachael Harkes bit.ly/49CIDzC
Rachael's new book is the latest title in the Society's New Historical Perspectives series. It's now available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Rachael's new book is the latest title in the Society's New Historical Perspectives series. It's now available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
November 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Published today: 'Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society. The Palmers' Guild of Ludlow', by Rachael Harkes bit.ly/49CIDzC
Rachael's new book is the latest title in the Society's New Historical Perspectives series. It's now available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Rachael's new book is the latest title in the Society's New Historical Perspectives series. It's now available free Open Access & paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social 1/2
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
I enjoyed chairing the brilliant @satisfactory20.bsky.social for her seminar yesterday, which featured the fascinating history of this 'suffragette chain' and lots more. Thanks for a great paper Mari!
My new blogpost for @histparl.bsky.social on ‘The Speakers and the Suffragettes’ is now up! Do read historyofparliament.com/2025/10/21/t...
The Speakers and the Suffragettes - The History of Parliament
At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on Tuesday 28 October, Dr Mari Takayanagi will be discussing ‘The Speakers and the Suffragettes’.
historyofparliament.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:31 AM
I enjoyed chairing the brilliant @satisfactory20.bsky.social for her seminar yesterday, which featured the fascinating history of this 'suffragette chain' and lots more. Thanks for a great paper Mari!
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
What was life really like before vaccines? The story of what happened to 8-year old George Williams in August 1852 gives us a glimpse.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Here's what life before vaccines was really like
The morning of August 2nd 1852 promised a lovely summer’s day in London. But not for 8 year old George Williams.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
What was life really like before vaccines? The story of what happened to 8-year old George Williams in August 1852 gives us a glimpse.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
It was a pleasure to collaborate with Paul Dryburgh (TNA, UK) on this blog on the fascinating life of H.S Sweetman. More to come so watch this space! @historytcd.bsky.social @virtualtreasury.bsky.social
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
Henry Savage Sweetman: the man who uncovered Ireland’s medieval history
Henry Savage Sweetman published the Calendar which translated over 8,000 Irish medieval records. But who was Sweetman and why did he complete this project?
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
October 24, 2025 at 4:13 PM
It was a pleasure to collaborate with Paul Dryburgh (TNA, UK) on this blog on the fascinating life of H.S Sweetman. More to come so watch this space! @historytcd.bsky.social @virtualtreasury.bsky.social
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
I can't decide whose head in early modern England would explode the most watching this video.
King Charles III prayed with Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, marking the first time in modern history that the leaders of the Anglican and Catholic churches prayed together. Read more: nyti.ms/4o5fFwI
October 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I can't decide whose head in early modern England would explode the most watching this video.
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
I kind of loathe the 'not your grandma's knitting' shit, AND the 'see it's not just silly woman stuff' push, because I think actually what we need to do is to accept that traditionally feminine crafts are actually very complicated and skilled, rather than divorce them from femininity to accept that.
October 17, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I kind of loathe the 'not your grandma's knitting' shit, AND the 'see it's not just silly woman stuff' push, because I think actually what we need to do is to accept that traditionally feminine crafts are actually very complicated and skilled, rather than divorce them from femininity to accept that.
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
The Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Brown University seeks applicants at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) whose scholarship focuses on histories of medieval (ca. 500s-1400s) European art and architecture in the world.
apply.interfolio.com/174923
apply.interfolio.com/174923
October 17, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Brown University seeks applicants at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) whose scholarship focuses on histories of medieval (ca. 500s-1400s) European art and architecture in the world.
apply.interfolio.com/174923
apply.interfolio.com/174923
Does anyone in #MedievalSky have easy access to this article by any chance? I can't get TCD's new search to cough up Taylor & Francis articles for some reason.
Tanner, "Lord High Almoners and Sub-Almoners 1100-1957" in the Journal of the British Archaelogical Association
Tanner, "Lord High Almoners and Sub-Almoners 1100-1957" in the Journal of the British Archaelogical Association
October 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Does anyone in #MedievalSky have easy access to this article by any chance? I can't get TCD's new search to cough up Taylor & Francis articles for some reason.
Tanner, "Lord High Almoners and Sub-Almoners 1100-1957" in the Journal of the British Archaelogical Association
Tanner, "Lord High Almoners and Sub-Almoners 1100-1957" in the Journal of the British Archaelogical Association
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
Next Tuesday the Medieval Manuscripts Seminar is online. Kate Gerry will be sharing her work on the Guthlac Roll. Book 👇 ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
October 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Next Tuesday the Medieval Manuscripts Seminar is online. Kate Gerry will be sharing her work on the Guthlac Roll. Book 👇 ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Reason 1 million why the NHS is precious, imperfect, but precious.
I too have had excellent US healthcare but massively skewed the finances of my parents' insurance by being a very ill neonate. The NHS has looked after me very well while I've lived in the UK *and* costs everyone less.
I too have had excellent US healthcare but massively skewed the finances of my parents' insurance by being a very ill neonate. The NHS has looked after me very well while I've lived in the UK *and* costs everyone less.
That’s actually one of my favourite random facts. Per capita, the USA govt pays more for an individuals healthcare than the U.K. does for socialised healthcare, and ends up with (population level) worse outcomes. It’s just an incredible grift
October 13, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reason 1 million why the NHS is precious, imperfect, but precious.
I too have had excellent US healthcare but massively skewed the finances of my parents' insurance by being a very ill neonate. The NHS has looked after me very well while I've lived in the UK *and* costs everyone less.
I too have had excellent US healthcare but massively skewed the finances of my parents' insurance by being a very ill neonate. The NHS has looked after me very well while I've lived in the UK *and* costs everyone less.
Today's translation (coming soon to @virtualtreasury.bsky.social when I sort out the dates and metadata) is this lovely survivor.
Strikingly, there are many women named in it paying for royal taxation in the early fifteenth century. Any more fragments lurking?
virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamStJo...
Strikingly, there are many women named in it paying for royal taxation in the early fifteenth century. Any more fragments lurking?
virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamStJo...
Virtual Treasury
Virtual Treasury
virtualtreasury.ie
October 13, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Today's translation (coming soon to @virtualtreasury.bsky.social when I sort out the dates and metadata) is this lovely survivor.
Strikingly, there are many women named in it paying for royal taxation in the early fifteenth century. Any more fragments lurking?
virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamStJo...
Strikingly, there are many women named in it paying for royal taxation in the early fifteenth century. Any more fragments lurking?
virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamStJo...
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
Four Courts, June 1922
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
October 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Four Courts, June 1922
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
We are advertising for an Assistant Director to join us in Marsh's Library. Full details about this exciting post here: marshlibrary.ie/vacancy-for-...
October 13, 2025 at 11:18 AM
We are advertising for an Assistant Director to join us in Marsh's Library. Full details about this exciting post here: marshlibrary.ie/vacancy-for-...
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
"Isn't it all digitised?"
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
"Isn't it all digitised?"
Niche one but "It is in DeepStore"
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Niche one but "It is in DeepStore"
Because it’s a very Friday Friday and I’m taking hundreds of photos of 19th century transcripts, have a throwback puppy photo of Gus. #TinyJoys
October 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Because it’s a very Friday Friday and I’m taking hundreds of photos of 19th century transcripts, have a throwback puppy photo of Gus. #TinyJoys
Tight turnaround but an open-ended job #medievalSky
Medieval historians, anyone want to come be my colleague at DCU? We’re hiring! universityvacancies.com/dublin-city-...
#historians
#historians
Assistant Professor in Irish and/or European Medieval History | University Vacancies Ireland
universityvacancies.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Tight turnaround but an open-ended job #medievalSky
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
"The American people are capable of turning the tide against repression even if that feels hopeless...the history of the first red scare teaches us that a better future is possible and worth fighting for."
Nice @davidrlurie.bsky.social historical meditation here:
www.publicnotice.co/p/emma-goldm...
Nice @davidrlurie.bsky.social historical meditation here:
www.publicnotice.co/p/emma-goldm...
Lessons from a Red Scare
The American people are capable of turning the tide against repression.
www.publicnotice.co
October 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
"The American people are capable of turning the tide against repression even if that feels hopeless...the history of the first red scare teaches us that a better future is possible and worth fighting for."
Nice @davidrlurie.bsky.social historical meditation here:
www.publicnotice.co/p/emma-goldm...
Nice @davidrlurie.bsky.social historical meditation here:
www.publicnotice.co/p/emma-goldm...
Reposted by Elizabeth Biggs
This also isn’t true!!! There is a public consultation NOW OPEN and you can go have your say. Obviously they want to present it as a done deal but it’s not.
hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is/en-GB/
hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is/en-GB/
October 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM
This also isn’t true!!! There is a public consultation NOW OPEN and you can go have your say. Obviously they want to present it as a done deal but it’s not.
hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is/en-GB/
hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is/en-GB/