Francesca Brooks
@francescabrooks.bsky.social
Lecturer in Old English at University College Cork. Writer of poetry & prose. Early Medievalist, Late Modernist, Feminist. Author of 'Poet of the Medieval Modern'. Find more of my writing at https://francescabrooks.com/
Pinned
Very much looking forward to this academic year - I'm pleased to say that I'm joining University College Cork as Lecturer in Old English with the Department of English & Digital Humanities!
I can't wait for what lies ahead.
I can't wait for what lies ahead.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
As the weather gets colder, warm the cockles of your creative-critical heart by reading our new Meet a Medievalist Maker blog post by @jamespaz.bsky.social, which is filled with fiery reflections on his 'ecocreative' process🔥
Read more by following the link below👇
Read more by following the link below👇
Meet a Medievalist Maker: James Paz — The Guild of Medievalist Makers
www.guildmedmak.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Really enjoyed chatting with @kellyfaircloth.bsky.social about all things dirtbag medievalism, and delighted that the article is out now at Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Why are we so obsessed with the medieval right now?
From burning castles to swords and magic and velvet gowns, medievalism has taken over 21st century pop culture.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Really enjoyed chatting with @kellyfaircloth.bsky.social about all things dirtbag medievalism, and delighted that the article is out now at Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
A little reminder about this wonderful event, which I will be acting as host for!
Join us online at 7pm on Tuesday 25 November for the launch of A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts.
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts: Carcanet Online Launch
Join us to celebrate the online book launch of A Letter to the Dead: Collected Poems by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks.
www.carcanet.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A little reminder about this wonderful event, which I will be acting as host for!
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
A reminder that there are still a few days left to apply for this funded PhD, working on literary and cultural reception of the Vikings. University fees and a budget for conference attendance included in addition to the stipend: it's a great opportunity for someone! www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacanc...
Research Vacancies | University College Cork
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
www.ucc.ie
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A reminder that there are still a few days left to apply for this funded PhD, working on literary and cultural reception of the Vikings. University fees and a budget for conference attendance included in addition to the stipend: it's a great opportunity for someone! www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacanc...
Another brilliant opportunity to come and be part of the NorseMap project at UCC!
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
🚨 Job alert 🚨 NorseMap is recruiting for a new team member: a 3-year postdoctoral researcher with a background in Politics OR Old Norse Viking Studies to lead the 'Politics & Identity' strand of the project. Come and work with us at UCC!
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
November 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Another brilliant opportunity to come and be part of the NorseMap project at UCC!
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
🚨 Job alert 🚨 NorseMap is recruiting for a new team member: a 3-year postdoctoral researcher with a background in Politics OR Old Norse Viking Studies to lead the 'Politics & Identity' strand of the project. Come and work with us at UCC!
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
November 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
🚨 Job alert 🚨 NorseMap is recruiting for a new team member: a 3-year postdoctoral researcher with a background in Politics OR Old Norse Viking Studies to lead the 'Politics & Identity' strand of the project. Come and work with us at UCC!
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Finally caught up with the BBC's King and Conqueror series 👑🗡️. If you were interested in why shows and films set in the Middle Ages are so often filmed in Iceland, you might consider reading my chapter which touches on this in International Medievalisms (2023): www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
‘The Northland of Old’: The Use and ‘Misuse’ of (Medieval) Iceland (Chapter 6) - International Medievalisms
International Medievalisms - February 2023
www.cambridge.org
September 8, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Finally caught up with the BBC's King and Conqueror series 👑🗡️. If you were interested in why shows and films set in the Middle Ages are so often filmed in Iceland, you might consider reading my chapter which touches on this in International Medievalisms (2023): www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
wikipedia's data shows that AI is siphoning traffic away from the site, which is a danger to its sustainability. ironically Wikipedia is more important than ever to users who want reliable information instead of slop, and to AI companies that need it for training data www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
Wikipedia Says AI Is Causing a Dangerous Decline in Human Visitors
“With fewer visits to Wikipedia, fewer volunteers may grow and enrich the content, and fewer individual donors may support this work.”
www.404media.co
October 17, 2025 at 1:15 AM
wikipedia's data shows that AI is siphoning traffic away from the site, which is a danger to its sustainability. ironically Wikipedia is more important than ever to users who want reliable information instead of slop, and to AI companies that need it for training data www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
'Neither poet, poem nor reader is led into a closed room, but a play area for imaginative patterning.'
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Poem of the week: Simile by Éireann Lorsung
An elegant reflection on experience and imagination complicates a very familiar figure of speech
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
'Neither poet, poem nor reader is led into a closed room, but a play area for imaginative patterning.'
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Don’t forget to book your spot at Wednesday’s ‘Material Poetics: Drafting, Duration, Form’, organised by wonderful PhD students Sarafina Lee, Sara O’Brien, and Max Shirley 🧡 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/material-p...
Material Poetics: Drafting, Duration, Form
One-day symposium bringing together researchers and practitioners working on process materialities and contemporary poetics.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Don’t forget to book your spot at Wednesday’s ‘Material Poetics: Drafting, Duration, Form’, organised by wonderful PhD students Sarafina Lee, Sara O’Brien, and Max Shirley 🧡 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/material-p...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Furry seal skin AND tiny Icelandic manuscripts!
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
Eight pages bound in furry seal skin may be Norway's oldest book
The little book is so rare that the National Library of Norway is bringing in experts from around the world to learn more.
www.sciencenorway.no
November 3, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Furry seal skin AND tiny Icelandic manuscripts!
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
My book is now available open access on project muse, with OAPen launch coming soon. Hard copies should start going out this week (if they have not already): you can get yours for 50% off with code SAR50.
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
My book is now available open access on project muse, with OAPen launch coming soon. Hard copies should start going out this week (if they have not already): you can get yours for 50% off with code SAR50.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
📖Upcoming Carcanet Book Launches!
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/
Please join us to celebrate the launches of Evan Jones, Alice Meynell, Joseph Minden, and Lynette Roberts!✨
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/
Please join us to celebrate the launches of Evan Jones, Alice Meynell, Joseph Minden, and Lynette Roberts!✨
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
📖Upcoming Carcanet Book Launches!
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/
Please join us to celebrate the launches of Evan Jones, Alice Meynell, Joseph Minden, and Lynette Roberts!✨
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/
Please join us to celebrate the launches of Evan Jones, Alice Meynell, Joseph Minden, and Lynette Roberts!✨
You are all in for a serious treat with this new collected poems from Lynette Roberts. A phenomenal poet of rich, startingly language & with diverse interests, from South America to rural Wales. I'll be hosting the online launch for Carcanet - tickets are £2.
📚 A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks - Tuesday 25 November, 7pm.
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
November 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
You are all in for a serious treat with this new collected poems from Lynette Roberts. A phenomenal poet of rich, startingly language & with diverse interests, from South America to rural Wales. I'll be hosting the online launch for Carcanet - tickets are £2.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
📚 A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks - Tuesday 25 November, 7pm.
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
📚 A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks - Tuesday 25 November, 7pm.
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
This new edition contains sixty-five unpublished poems by Roberts, and a new epilogue highlighting her importance to our understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Wanderers by @kerriandrewsuk.bsky.social is an uplifting account of women through history for whom walking was important: defying gendered conventions, walking mountains alone, often writing as they went.
Inspiring, courageous, & passionate #NatureWriting!
Buy here:
uk.bookshop.org/a/2456/97817...
Inspiring, courageous, & passionate #NatureWriting!
Buy here:
uk.bookshop.org/a/2456/97817...
November 3, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Wanderers by @kerriandrewsuk.bsky.social is an uplifting account of women through history for whom walking was important: defying gendered conventions, walking mountains alone, often writing as they went.
Inspiring, courageous, & passionate #NatureWriting!
Buy here:
uk.bookshop.org/a/2456/97817...
Inspiring, courageous, & passionate #NatureWriting!
Buy here:
uk.bookshop.org/a/2456/97817...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
In fantastic news for medievalists, 'Perfume and Milk' from Florence + the Machine's new album Everybody Scream contains references to Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love, and allusions to the General Prology of the Canterbury Tales (as well as, I think, the opening of Fitt II of SGGK)
Florence + The Machine - Perfume and Milk (Lyric Video)
YouTube video by florencemachine
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 3:54 PM
In fantastic news for medievalists, 'Perfume and Milk' from Florence + the Machine's new album Everybody Scream contains references to Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love, and allusions to the General Prology of the Canterbury Tales (as well as, I think, the opening of Fitt II of SGGK)
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Call for papers for a special issue of the *Journal of British and Irish Innovative Poetry* on concrete & visual poetries. Edited by Colin Herd & Greg Thomas. 250-300-word abstracts to ConcreteAndVisualPoetries@gmail.com by 10 Jan 2026
poetry.openlibhums.org/news/867/
Please repost and share!
poetry.openlibhums.org/news/867/
Please repost and share!
October 31, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Call for papers for a special issue of the *Journal of British and Irish Innovative Poetry* on concrete & visual poetries. Edited by Colin Herd & Greg Thomas. 250-300-word abstracts to ConcreteAndVisualPoetries@gmail.com by 10 Jan 2026
poetry.openlibhums.org/news/867/
Please repost and share!
poetry.openlibhums.org/news/867/
Please repost and share!
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Aberystwyth has joined a global network of 350 Creative Cities that have been recognised for their excellence in creative fields across the world by becoming Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature
Aberystwyth becomes Wales' first UNESCO City of Literature
Aberystwyth has joined a global network of 350 Creative Cities that have been recognised for their excellence in creative fields across the world by becoming Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature Abe...
nation.cymru
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Aberystwyth has joined a global network of 350 Creative Cities that have been recognised for their excellence in creative fields across the world by becoming Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature
Very excited that one of the first new exhibitions at the Glucksman (now that I'm working at UCC) will be a fossil exhibition on the dinosaurs!
www.glucksman.org/exhibitions/...
www.glucksman.org/exhibitions/...
Domain of the Dinosaurs | The Glucksman
Booking available on this website soon.
www.glucksman.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Very excited that one of the first new exhibitions at the Glucksman (now that I'm working at UCC) will be a fossil exhibition on the dinosaurs!
www.glucksman.org/exhibitions/...
www.glucksman.org/exhibitions/...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Shared a little post on my blog about my recent essay for PN Review, mostly so that I could give you all a glimpse of some of the stunning illuminations of the Camaldolese Grail/Gradual manuscript!
francescabrooks.com/2025/10/06/a...
francescabrooks.com/2025/10/06/a...
October 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Shared a little post on my blog about my recent essay for PN Review, mostly so that I could give you all a glimpse of some of the stunning illuminations of the Camaldolese Grail/Gradual manuscript!
francescabrooks.com/2025/10/06/a...
francescabrooks.com/2025/10/06/a...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
As the weather gets colder, warm the cockles of your creative-critical heart by reading our new Meet a Medievalist Maker blog post by @jamespaz.bsky.social, which is filled with fiery reflections on his 'ecocreative' process🔥
Read more by following the link below👇
Read more by following the link below👇
Meet a Medievalist Maker: James Paz — The Guild of Medievalist Makers
www.guildmedmak.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
As the weather gets colder, warm the cockles of your creative-critical heart by reading our new Meet a Medievalist Maker blog post by @jamespaz.bsky.social, which is filled with fiery reflections on his 'ecocreative' process🔥
Read more by following the link below👇
Read more by following the link below👇
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
📗New project publication📗
"Liturgy, Literature & History: Oswald of Northumbria and the Cult of Saints in the Middle Ages" is now available #OpenAccess from @britishacademy.bsky.social & @livunipress.bsky.social
Free download here: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
#MedievalSky
"Liturgy, Literature & History: Oswald of Northumbria and the Cult of Saints in the Middle Ages" is now available #OpenAccess from @britishacademy.bsky.social & @livunipress.bsky.social
Free download here: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
#MedievalSky
October 29, 2025 at 11:05 AM
📗New project publication📗
"Liturgy, Literature & History: Oswald of Northumbria and the Cult of Saints in the Middle Ages" is now available #OpenAccess from @britishacademy.bsky.social & @livunipress.bsky.social
Free download here: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
#MedievalSky
"Liturgy, Literature & History: Oswald of Northumbria and the Cult of Saints in the Middle Ages" is now available #OpenAccess from @britishacademy.bsky.social & @livunipress.bsky.social
Free download here: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
#MedievalSky