North Ages
banner
northages.bsky.social
North Ages
@northages.bsky.social
Early medieval northern Britain, taking in Picts, Gaels, Britons, Angles and Norse. On this day, feast days, place-names, archaeology news and book releases. Posts by Dundonian bookworm Craig. https://northages.wordpress.com/
Inchcolm, Fife. Insula Sancti Columbae c.1123, St Colmes Ynch 1605. ‘St Columba’s island’. Gaelic inis. Source: Oxford Dictionary of British #PlaceNames. 📸Magnus Hagdorn #medievalsky
February 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by North Ages
For anyone who's interested @waterstones.bsky.social is running a special pre-order offer (no pun intended) on my new book about King Offa of Mercia, valid from Friday 20 Feb. eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
February 13, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Today's dog walk is the first this year where I've not thought, 'This will lead to trench foot.' There is hope.
February 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The Aberdeen Breviary Vol. I - Pars Hiemalis, ‘winter part’, was printed in Edinburgh #OTD in 1509/10. Completed by Vol. II - Pars Aestivalis, ‘summer part’, it is Scotland’s first printed book and the first to chronicle the Scottish saints’ lives. 📸National Library of Scotland #medievalsky
February 13, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Cinaed (I) son of Alpín, king of the Picts, died at the royal centre of Fothuirtabaicht (Forteviot, Perthshire), #OTD in 858. His reign coincided with a possible Scandinavian conquest of the island portion of Dál Riata in 847. His brother Domnall succeeded him. The Forteviot Arch #medievalsky
February 13, 2026 at 8:21 AM
A weightier tome than I was expecting. Looking forward to reading.
February 12, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Edwyn Collins
Who's the most famous alum of your high school?

I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
guys i just found out i went to the same high school as howard lutnick. please respect my privacy at this time.
February 12, 2026 at 9:40 AM
The Halton Moor Hoard was discovered by a farmer near Lancaster #OTD in 1815. It comprised a silver-gilt cup containing a silver neck-ring, 860 silver pennies and six pieces of stamped gold. It was deposited around 1025. 📸British Museum #medievalsky
February 12, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Feb 12: Feast of Æthilwald (†737/40). He rose from monk to abbot at Mailros (Melrose, Scottish Borders) then succeeded Eadfrith as bishop of Lindisfarne. A compilation by him, Ymnarius Edilwaldi, may be a source of the Book of Cerne, pictured. Cynewulf succeeded him. #medievalsky
February 12, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Dìleab nan Cruithneach / The Legacy of the Picts www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/abe...
February 12, 2026 at 12:16 AM
William de St Calais of Dunholm (Durham) was one of seven bishops who joined Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, to consecrate Battle Abbey #OTD in 1094. William I, king of the English, had founded it c.1071 in part to atone for the bloodshed of the Norman Conquest. 📸Peter Urmston #medievalsky
February 11, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Feb 11: Feast of Cædmon (†680), monk of Streanæshalch (Whitby). Cowherd who, in his advanced years, was divinely endowed with a gift for poetry and song. Bede says the scriptures were interpreted for him and he would create religious compositions beyond compare. #medievalsky
February 11, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Iron Age Village and Early Medieval Cemetery Unearthed in Scotland archaeology.org/news/2026/02...
News - Iron Age Village and Early Medieval Cemetery Unearthed in Scotland  - Archaeology Magazine
WINDHILL, SCOTLAND—During construction of a mile-long trench in advance of sewer improvements in the Highlands […]
archaeology.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:25 PM
New art installation to reveal North East’s hidden masterpiece www.culturednortheast.co.uk/p/new-art-in...
New art installation to reveal North East’s hidden masterpiece
Sound and light show tour will illuminate history of treasure created by monks of North East monastery. Tony Henderson reports
www.culturednortheast.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Macbeth looking out from Dunsinane Castle.
February 10, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Feb 10: Feast of Trumwine (†c.704), bishop of the Picts (681-5) with a see at Æbbercurnig (Abercorn, West Lothian). He encouraged Cuthbert to become a bishop. After the Battle of Dunnichen, Trumwine withdrew to Streanæshalch (Whitby), where he later died. 📸Kim Traynor #medievalsky
February 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Feb 9: Feast of Rónán, bishop of Lios Mór (Lismore, Argyll). He could be identical to Rónán, abbot of Cenn Garad (Kingarth, Bute), who died in 737. 📸Otter #medievalsky
February 9, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Reposted by North Ages
Our book 'Life in the Viking Great Army' is a contender for Current Archaeology's Book of the Year... so this is a last call for the voting from me.

If you'd like to put us forward, then please follow the link below - and thank you!
Archaeology Awards Voting - Current Archaeology
Voting has now opened for the Current Archaeology Awards! Which people, projects and publications deserve recognition?
archaeology.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by North Ages
Rothbury Cross c. 800 CE
Northumberland

Part of the shaft section of the Anglo Saxon cross. On one face a haloed Christ holds a book.

Now Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle

#SundayStonework
#SaxonSunday
February 8, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Feb 8: Feast of Ælfflæd (†714), abbess of Streanæshalch (Whitby). Her father Oswiu, king of the Northumbrians, vowed to consecrate her in infancy to the religious life if he defeated Penda, pagan king of the Mercians. This he did. Cuthbert’s girdle cured her of paralysis. #medievalsky
February 8, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Diarmait mac Máel na mBó, king of Leinster, and, according to later writers, 'king of Ireland with opposition', died #OTD in 1072. His power was such that he was also styled rí… Índsi Gall, ‘king of the Hebrides’, in his obituary. 📸NMIreland #medievalsky
February 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Reposted by North Ages
Kindle edition currently 99p. www.amazon.co.uk/Anglo-Saxons...
February 5, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I chuckled at this quote from Sir Ian McKellen in the latest Empire: ‘And if I ever think, “Yes, I did well by Tolkien,” I also have to remember I was in the movie of Cats.’
February 5, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Feb 5: Feast of Dubthach mac Dubáin (†938), abbot of Iona. It is possible the headship of the Columban familia was moved from Iona to Kells, Ireland, during his tenure. He took part in a crosier-throwing contest with Columba’s ghost. Feast possibly 7 Oct. 📸August Schwerdfeger #medievalsky
February 5, 2026 at 8:16 AM
An early medieval copper-alloy hanging bowl was discovered by detectorist Chris Ulliott in a field at Ryedale, North Yorkshire, #OTD in 2023. Skeletal fragments which appeared to be from a sheep were found within. 📸York Museums Trust #medievalsky
February 5, 2026 at 8:14 AM