Justin Colson
@justincolson.bsky.social
(Digital) historian of fifteenth and sixteenth century cities, communities, trade, guilds, maps
Did medieval people buy each other Christmas gifts? New Year's Day was the main gifting day, but little is known about everyday people's present giving. Our project on London's customs records has uncovered a wealth of affordable items imported around this time: gloves and hats to toys and rattles🧵
Medieval Londoners’ cheaply imported mass-produced Christmas gifts look surprisingly familiar
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload ...
theconversation.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Did medieval people buy each other Christmas gifts? New Year's Day was the main gifting day, but little is known about everyday people's present giving. Our project on London's customs records has uncovered a wealth of affordable items imported around this time: gloves and hats to toys and rattles🧵
Reposted by Justin Colson
Don't steal pies this Christmas.
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Don't steal pies this Christmas.
Reposted by Justin Colson
We’ll be running our introduction to manuscript studies again in June 2026. There’s an early bird discount if you book this month, but if students are interested please encourage them to book early as this course has limited places 👇 📚📖✏️💻
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
Introduction to Palaeography and Manuscript Studies
This course introduces students to key skills for the study of medieval manuscripts, from the making of parchment to reading text and imagery
ies.sas.ac.uk
December 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
We’ll be running our introduction to manuscript studies again in June 2026. There’s an early bird discount if you book this month, but if students are interested please encourage them to book early as this course has limited places 👇 📚📖✏️💻
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
Reposted by Justin Colson
Can’t get to London for summer school? In Jan we are running online courses. Forget the cold by exploring medieval manuscripts. Classes are small so book now! 👇
@ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social #MedievalSky
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
@ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social #MedievalSky
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
IES: LIPS & LRBS Winter School | 2026
ies.sas.ac.uk
December 5, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Can’t get to London for summer school? In Jan we are running online courses. Forget the cold by exploring medieval manuscripts. Classes are small so book now! 👇
@ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social #MedievalSky
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
@ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @senatehouselib.bsky.social @ihr.bsky.social #MedievalSky
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Justin Colson
📣Booking is now open for the London International Palaeography School 2026 📣
We are running five 5-day courses, from practical hands-on 'making medieval manuscripts' to an introduction to Arabic manuscripts - don't miss out!
10% discount if you book before 23 Jan!
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
We are running five 5-day courses, from practical hands-on 'making medieval manuscripts' to an introduction to Arabic manuscripts - don't miss out!
10% discount if you book before 23 Jan!
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
London International Palaeography School
The London International Palaeography School is a series of intensive courses in Palaeography and Manuscript Studies.
ies.sas.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
📣Booking is now open for the London International Palaeography School 2026 📣
We are running five 5-day courses, from practical hands-on 'making medieval manuscripts' to an introduction to Arabic manuscripts - don't miss out!
10% discount if you book before 23 Jan!
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
We are running five 5-day courses, from practical hands-on 'making medieval manuscripts' to an introduction to Arabic manuscripts - don't miss out!
10% discount if you book before 23 Jan!
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
This is so rarely mentioned, but incredibly important. Universities seem determined to spend virtually unlimited cash with the same few publishing/outsourcing firms, for deeply flawed, frustrating, and atrophied software. Anything to avoid the "risk" of having to manage your own systems, it seems!
'One solution is to move away from costly proprietary software and to invest in our own people to build community-led hardware and infrastructure solutions with open source software.' Some European governments have started to do so already. 3/3
December 3, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is so rarely mentioned, but incredibly important. Universities seem determined to spend virtually unlimited cash with the same few publishing/outsourcing firms, for deeply flawed, frustrating, and atrophied software. Anything to avoid the "risk" of having to manage your own systems, it seems!
Reposted by Justin Colson
'One solution is to move away from costly proprietary software and to invest in our own people to build community-led hardware and infrastructure solutions with open source software.' Some European governments have started to do so already. 3/3
December 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM
'One solution is to move away from costly proprietary software and to invest in our own people to build community-led hardware and infrastructure solutions with open source software.' Some European governments have started to do so already. 3/3
Reposted by Justin Colson
The King has commanded that the Greater London Authority (GLA) shall be allowed to use the coat of arms that once belonged to its predecessor, the GLC.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
The King grants the Mayor of London permission to use the GLC’s historic coat of arms
The King has commanded that the Greater London Authority (GLA) shall be allowed to use the coat of arms that once belonged to its predecessor, the GLC.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The King has commanded that the Greater London Authority (GLA) shall be allowed to use the coat of arms that once belonged to its predecessor, the GLC.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
Reposted by Justin Colson
📢 NEW 'Project Progress Update' Blog Post! 📢
We've recently reached a very significant project milestone, and thought this would be the perfect moment to provide a research update: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Featuring @zooniverse.bsky.social news, and a sneak peek at our database! 📜✍️💻
We've recently reached a very significant project milestone, and thought this would be the perfect moment to provide a research update: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Featuring @zooniverse.bsky.social news, and a sneak peek at our database! 📜✍️💻
December 2, 2025 at 8:19 AM
📢 NEW 'Project Progress Update' Blog Post! 📢
We've recently reached a very significant project milestone, and thought this would be the perfect moment to provide a research update: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Featuring @zooniverse.bsky.social news, and a sneak peek at our database! 📜✍️💻
We've recently reached a very significant project milestone, and thought this would be the perfect moment to provide a research update: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Featuring @zooniverse.bsky.social news, and a sneak peek at our database! 📜✍️💻
Historians doing place-based and spatial research often want to make use of archaeological work, but it can often feel difficult to find what you want, and difficult to interpret when you do find it. This course is designed to help historians get a foothold in the world of archaeology!
Want to use archaeology in your local history research? In my new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' short course (29 April-1 May 2026) you will learn where to locate and how to use records of surveys, excavations and finds in your area. Plus a visit to the @antiquaries.bsky.social library and...
December 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Historians doing place-based and spatial research often want to make use of archaeological work, but it can often feel difficult to find what you want, and difficult to interpret when you do find it. This course is designed to help historians get a foothold in the world of archaeology!
Reposted by Justin Colson
Want to use archaeology in your local history research? In my new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' short course (29 April-1 May 2026) you will learn where to locate and how to use records of surveys, excavations and finds in your area. Plus a visit to the @antiquaries.bsky.social library and...
December 2, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Want to use archaeology in your local history research? In my new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' short course (29 April-1 May 2026) you will learn where to locate and how to use records of surveys, excavations and finds in your area. Plus a visit to the @antiquaries.bsky.social library and...
Interested in old maps? My new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' Short Course will introduce the history of cartography, how to find and work with old maps online, and even how to georeference historical maps! We'll also get hands-on with map collections, plus lecture from @kparkerhistorian.bsky.social
Announcing IHR Discovery Courses: Historic Maps, Townscape & Architecture, and Archaeology for Historians. Suitable for historians working in all contexts, or anyone looking for new learning experiences, and inspiration. www.history.ac.uk/study-traini...
December 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Interested in old maps? My new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' Short Course will introduce the history of cartography, how to find and work with old maps online, and even how to georeference historical maps! We'll also get hands-on with map collections, plus lecture from @kparkerhistorian.bsky.social
Our IHR Summer Schools have been incredible inclusive events for historians of all kinds - really looking forward to meeting everyone interested in London history this year!
Join us for our 2026 #SummerSchool focusing on 'Sickness & Health' with @ihr.bsky.social! We'll have trips, #archive visits, and lectures exploring everything from medieval medicine to public health throughout #London 's #history. Sign up early for a 10% discount: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
November 27, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Our IHR Summer Schools have been incredible inclusive events for historians of all kinds - really looking forward to meeting everyone interested in London history this year!
Great programme of spatial history workshops and hackathons during early December!
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Great programme of spatial history workshops and hackathons during early December!
Reposted by Justin Colson
Happy 75th birthday to @thenacbs.bsky.social! If you are at #NACBS2025 in Montreal, say hello to our Director @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, Senior Lecturer in Urban & Digital History and Deputy Director of @chppc.bsky.social @justincolson.bsky.social, and Institute Manager Conor Wyer.
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Happy 75th birthday to @thenacbs.bsky.social! If you are at #NACBS2025 in Montreal, say hello to our Director @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, Senior Lecturer in Urban & Digital History and Deputy Director of @chppc.bsky.social @justincolson.bsky.social, and Institute Manager Conor Wyer.
Reposted by Justin Colson
Book for the Mermaid's Tail tour or Queer Legends workshop, part of #queermaritimes at the National Maritime Museum. Both take place this Saturday, 15 Nov.
This is part of the wonderful work of the Queer History Club, which meets at the NMM. #skystorians 🗃️
This is part of the wonderful work of the Queer History Club, which meets at the NMM. #skystorians 🗃️
Queer Maritimes
From tours about merpeople to creative workshops on personalised maps, discover some of the LGBTQ+ histories connected to Royal Museums Greenwich's collections
www.rmg.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Book for the Mermaid's Tail tour or Queer Legends workshop, part of #queermaritimes at the National Maritime Museum. Both take place this Saturday, 15 Nov.
This is part of the wonderful work of the Queer History Club, which meets at the NMM. #skystorians 🗃️
This is part of the wonderful work of the Queer History Club, which meets at the NMM. #skystorians 🗃️
Reposted by Justin Colson
Join us online on 2 Dec for ‘Old, New, Precarious Data’, the 1st event of the 2025-6 @dh-researchhub.bsky.social seminar series on incompleteness & loss in digital cultural heritage collections. Speakers include @beatricecannelli.bsky.social, @heatherfro.bsky.social, Leontien Talboom & Amelia Acker
Old, New, Precarious Data
Old, New, Precarious Data is the first event of the 2025-2026 DHRH flagship seminar series on incompleteness and loss in digital cultural heritage collections.
www.sas.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Join us online on 2 Dec for ‘Old, New, Precarious Data’, the 1st event of the 2025-6 @dh-researchhub.bsky.social seminar series on incompleteness & loss in digital cultural heritage collections. Speakers include @beatricecannelli.bsky.social, @heatherfro.bsky.social, Leontien Talboom & Amelia Acker
Reposted by Justin Colson
Back by popular demand, Introduction to Latin Palaeography will run online in February 2026 #MedievalSky 👇
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Introduction to Latin Palaeography
ies.sas.ac.uk
October 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Back by popular demand, Introduction to Latin Palaeography will run online in February 2026 #MedievalSky 👇
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Justin Colson
Join the @ihr.bsky.social Digital History seminar on 4 November (12:00 GMT on Zoom) to celebrate the winning entry for the 2025 Richard Deswarte Prize in Digital History and to learn about gender and lottery rhymes in the medieval/early-modern low countries ihrdighist.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2025/09/tues...
Tuesday 4 November 2025 - Deswarte Prize Seminar - Marly Terwisscha van Scheltinga, Sara Budts, and Jeroen Puttevils (University of Antwerp): (Fe)male Voices on Stage: Finding Patterns in Lottery Rhym...
This seminar is 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm GMT live on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96338659032 later posted to our YouTube channel. Session chair: James Baker. This seminar will celebrate the winning entry for ...
ihrdighist.blogs.sas.ac.uk
October 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Join the @ihr.bsky.social Digital History seminar on 4 November (12:00 GMT on Zoom) to celebrate the winning entry for the 2025 Richard Deswarte Prize in Digital History and to learn about gender and lottery rhymes in the medieval/early-modern low countries ihrdighist.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2025/09/tues...
Reposted by Justin Colson
Today La Sagrada Família is having the first part of the crowning cross of the Jesus Tower installed. This will finally take it past Ulm Minster's 161.5 metres (begun 1392, completed with octagon and spire 1885-90) as the tallest church in the world!
October 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Today La Sagrada Família is having the first part of the crowning cross of the Jesus Tower installed. This will finally take it past Ulm Minster's 161.5 metres (begun 1392, completed with octagon and spire 1885-90) as the tallest church in the world!
Reposted by Justin Colson
(Because this is Bluesky, no doubt people will scold me for using an LLM to do this research on where LLMs go wrong.
But if we want to keep LLMs out of classrooms, I firmly believe we need a strong conceptual and empirical of their failure modes.
Anyway, spare me.)
But if we want to keep LLMs out of classrooms, I firmly believe we need a strong conceptual and empirical of their failure modes.
Anyway, spare me.)
October 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
(Because this is Bluesky, no doubt people will scold me for using an LLM to do this research on where LLMs go wrong.
But if we want to keep LLMs out of classrooms, I firmly believe we need a strong conceptual and empirical of their failure modes.
Anyway, spare me.)
But if we want to keep LLMs out of classrooms, I firmly believe we need a strong conceptual and empirical of their failure modes.
Anyway, spare me.)
Reposted by Justin Colson
Our latest #blog post provides an update from Dr Philip Muijtjens on his research in the #archives of the Venerable English College in Rome, which will eventually be published by the Trust. Read here: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2025/10/30/t... #Medieval #Skystorians #MedievalSky
The Late Medieval Archives of the Venerable English College, Rome
The Trust On…The Late Medieval Archives of the Venerable English College, Rome Philip Muijtjens, a postdoctoral researcher at the Université catholique de Louvain (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium),…
yorkisthistorytrust.org
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Our latest #blog post provides an update from Dr Philip Muijtjens on his research in the #archives of the Venerable English College in Rome, which will eventually be published by the Trust. Read here: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2025/10/30/t... #Medieval #Skystorians #MedievalSky
Now firmly lodged in my ear too ...
This has been my earworm for nearly 10 days now, so I'm so so sorry, but now I have to inflict it on you: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHsp...
Running up that hill Cover in Early Middle English BARDCORE/MEDIEVAL version. Original by Kate Bush.
YouTube video by the_miracle_aligner
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Now firmly lodged in my ear too ...
Reposted by Justin Colson
Our latest Viewpoint article is out: 'Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons' by @mpdavies.bsky.social.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons
Published in The London Journal: A Review of Metropolitan Society Past and Present (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Our latest Viewpoint article is out: 'Guilds and Companies in London, 1200–1700: Contexts and Comparisons' by @mpdavies.bsky.social.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.
A 🧵 on the insights provided by this article into the history and historiography of these key metropolitan institutions in the medieval and early modern periods.