Jay Rubenstein
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medievaljay.bsky.social
Jay Rubenstein
@medievaljay.bsky.social
Medieval historian interested in other stuff
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So who am I and what am I doing? I am a historian of medieval Europe and am writing a book on the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099-1187). It is under contract with Basic Books. The goal is to write a narrative history the incorporates cultural, religious, apocalyptic, and romantic (!) material
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
Hampstead Heath, December 1938. Photograph by Frederick G Roper
December 25, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
This bland residential building from 1939, perhaps the 1st such modernist structure in Hampstead, is held by the National Trust. Hampstead resident Ian Fleming hated it so much that he named a Bond villain after the architect, Ernö Goldfinger.
December 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This is brilliant
This is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed, the craft here is impeccable.
December 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This bland residential building from 1939, perhaps the 1st such modernist structure in Hampstead, is held by the National Trust. Hampstead resident Ian Fleming hated it so much that he named a Bond villain after the architect, Ernö Goldfinger.
December 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
Or at least looked at it…
December 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
Random bridge on Hampstead Heath, morning walk. Well, how did I get here?
December 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Or at least looked at it…
December 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Random bridge on Hampstead Heath, morning walk. Well, how did I get here?
December 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
AI is awful and is accelerating our moment of cultural self-destruction. On the other hand, 42 people decided to cite an article without bothering to even look it up, let alone read it.
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵

Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 20, 2025 at 9:58 AM
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Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵

Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
A break in the rain provides a nice view of the London skyline from Parliament Hill
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
A break in the rain provides a nice view of the London skyline from Parliament Hill
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
A historical plaque from the new neighborhood
December 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
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A nice foggy day on the Heath.
December 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
A nice foggy day on the Heath.
December 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
✨ I take lots of photos of awe-inspiring architecture, landscapes and sunsets - but sometimes the most jaw-dropping beauty is in the details.

I can’t quite explain why, but this medieval door hinge and handle at Malmesbury Abbey seems to glow every time I look at it.
December 17, 2025 at 7:18 AM
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The musical sensibilities and vocal stylings of Joe, Jimmie Dale, and Butch blended so perfectly, it was like spiritual harmonizing. Joe Ely thought that "Dallas" was the greatest song he had ever written, except that Jimmie Dale Gilmore wrote it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Rr...
Joe Ely -- Dallas (Live 1986)
YouTube video by 709Austin
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
RIP to the great Joe Ely. His version of “Gallo del Cielo,” a Homeric country ballad about cock fighting in the American Southwest forever changed and immeasurably enriched my life. Worth six minutes of your time, if you’ve never heard it youtu.be/6lF-ClNlKSA?...
Joe Ely - Gallo del Cielo 1996
YouTube video by livemusic55
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
My favorite Flatlanders tune. "Dallas gives a beautiful light."
The musical sensibilities and vocal stylings of Joe, Jimmie Dale, and Butch blended so perfectly, it was like spiritual harmonizing. Joe Ely thought that "Dallas" was the greatest song he had ever written, except that Jimmie Dale Gilmore wrote it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Rr...
Joe Ely -- Dallas (Live 1986)
YouTube video by 709Austin
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The Flatlanders in their prime!
Butch told me that this was the only extant photograph of the original band altogether on stage. Rice’s head is missing!
December 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
RIP to the great Joe Ely. His version of “Gallo del Cielo,” a Homeric country ballad about cock fighting in the American Southwest forever changed and immeasurably enriched my life. Worth six minutes of your time, if you’ve never heard it youtu.be/6lF-ClNlKSA?...
Joe Ely - Gallo del Cielo 1996
YouTube video by livemusic55
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 9:37 AM
No offense to my friends in the UK, but I'm starting to think that no one over here actually knows what a smashburger is.
December 15, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by Jay Rubenstein
Early morning on Hampstead Heath
December 14, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Early morning on Hampstead Heath
December 14, 2025 at 9:21 AM