Simon Trafford
@simonjptrafford.bsky.social
Early medievalist at IHR, Univ. of London, with a current research focus on water and human immersions. Also ethnicity, identity, migration and modern medievalisms. Regrettably likely to propose a lovely long walk given half a chance.
I've written about mead and its popular perception for The Conversation. theconversation.com/the-truth-ab... Mildly concerned that by pointing out that the Vikings (probably) didn't drink (much) mead, I will have annoyed all the re-enactors, many of whom have swords oh dear.
The truth about Vikings and mead might disappoint modern enthusiasts
The standard drink was far more likely to be ale.
theconversation.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
I've written about mead and its popular perception for The Conversation. theconversation.com/the-truth-ab... Mildly concerned that by pointing out that the Vikings (probably) didn't drink (much) mead, I will have annoyed all the re-enactors, many of whom have swords oh dear.
Reposted by Simon Trafford
This Wednesday (5/11/25) 17.30 UTC, we're delighted to welcome Dr Peter Jones (Plymouth), who will be speaking on William Morris's travel in Iceland. Free to attend in person in the IHR or online, but please register in advance. Details, abstract and registration:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
November 3, 2025 at 11:44 AM
This Wednesday (5/11/25) 17.30 UTC, we're delighted to welcome Dr Peter Jones (Plymouth), who will be speaking on William Morris's travel in Iceland. Free to attend in person in the IHR or online, but please register in advance. Details, abstract and registration:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Just back from a little holiday in unwontedly sunny Pembrokeshire. Pentre Ifan looking so perfect here that even the inadequacies of my cheap phone camera don't detract!
September 28, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Just back from a little holiday in unwontedly sunny Pembrokeshire. Pentre Ifan looking so perfect here that even the inadequacies of my cheap phone camera don't detract!
Reposted by Simon Trafford
A fabulous looking new book from Tonicha Upham exploring all the Arabic and Persian evidence on Rus burials and sacrifices, complete with translations! #medievalsky #vikings
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Death Rituals
Cambridge Core - Global History - Death Rituals
www.cambridge.org
September 15, 2025 at 10:56 AM
A fabulous looking new book from Tonicha Upham exploring all the Arabic and Persian evidence on Rus burials and sacrifices, complete with translations! #medievalsky #vikings
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Reposted by Simon Trafford
A piece in The Conversation, contextualising our results from the Bedale hoard
theconversation.com/vikings-were...
@unioxarchaeology.bsky.social @yorkmuseumstrust.bsky.social @bgs.ac.uk
theconversation.com/vikings-were...
@unioxarchaeology.bsky.social @yorkmuseumstrust.bsky.social @bgs.ac.uk
Vikings were captivated by silver – our new analysis of their precious loot reveals how far they travelled to get it
New analysis of silver items in the Bedale hoard reveals Scandinavians travelled to the east to trade much earlier than previously thought.
theconversation.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A piece in The Conversation, contextualising our results from the Bedale hoard
theconversation.com/vikings-were...
@unioxarchaeology.bsky.social @yorkmuseumstrust.bsky.social @bgs.ac.uk
theconversation.com/vikings-were...
@unioxarchaeology.bsky.social @yorkmuseumstrust.bsky.social @bgs.ac.uk
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Anglo-Saxons with West African roots: DNA analysis of 7th century burials reported in @antiquity.ac.uk today reveals long-distance connections reached across continents and cultures. Read about it @science.org:
Youths buried in Anglo-Saxon cemeteries carried West African DNA
Despite bearing remarkably far-flung genetic origins, a girl and young man were buried just like their peers
www.science.org
August 13, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Anglo-Saxons with West African roots: DNA analysis of 7th century burials reported in @antiquity.ac.uk today reveals long-distance connections reached across continents and cultures. Read about it @science.org:
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Not too late to sign up for this excellent seminar on Wednesday! And we are very happy to welcome our wonderful speaker, @maggiepavleszek.bsky.social, to Bluesky. Come and hear all about her work!
For our next seminar, Maggie Pavleszek (York)
will be speaking on '"Resolved into ashes": Norse Medievalism and Cremation in C19th Britain'. Weds 30/04, 17.30 GMT (online only). Free but please register to attend. Further details, abstract and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/resol...
will be speaking on '"Resolved into ashes": Norse Medievalism and Cremation in C19th Britain'. Weds 30/04, 17.30 GMT (online only). Free but please register to attend. Further details, abstract and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/resol...
April 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Not too late to sign up for this excellent seminar on Wednesday! And we are very happy to welcome our wonderful speaker, @maggiepavleszek.bsky.social, to Bluesky. Come and hear all about her work!
Reposted by Simon Trafford
For our next seminar, Maggie Pavleszek (York)
will be speaking on '"Resolved into ashes": Norse Medievalism and Cremation in C19th Britain'. Weds 30/04, 17.30 GMT (online only). Free but please register to attend. Further details, abstract and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/resol...
will be speaking on '"Resolved into ashes": Norse Medievalism and Cremation in C19th Britain'. Weds 30/04, 17.30 GMT (online only). Free but please register to attend. Further details, abstract and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/resol...
April 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
For our next seminar, Maggie Pavleszek (York)
will be speaking on '"Resolved into ashes": Norse Medievalism and Cremation in C19th Britain'. Weds 30/04, 17.30 GMT (online only). Free but please register to attend. Further details, abstract and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/resol...
will be speaking on '"Resolved into ashes": Norse Medievalism and Cremation in C19th Britain'. Weds 30/04, 17.30 GMT (online only). Free but please register to attend. Further details, abstract and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/resol...
Reposted by Simon Trafford
And obviously, this is corrosive: it's not only friends and colleagues at Cardiff, it's - at this point - half of every contact, collaborator, people you know from conferences, library shelves, catalogues, a cuppa or a meeting. Friends.
A whole sector of the economy being trashed in real time.
A whole sector of the economy being trashed in real time.
That's literally everyone I know who works at Cardiff: all good people, excellent teachers and researchers, friends, colleagues, people whose work has informed my own.
And for Welsh as a discipline, that's a substantial proportion of the scholarly community on the planet. Absolutely catastrophic.
And for Welsh as a discipline, that's a substantial proportion of the scholarly community on the planet. Absolutely catastrophic.
Cardiff University confirms that in College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 699 jobs are “in scope” of redundancy with 86 in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion.
At the leading Welsh university in the capital of (checks notes) Wales 13 are in the (checks notes) School of Welsh.
At the leading Welsh university in the capital of (checks notes) Wales 13 are in the (checks notes) School of Welsh.
March 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
And obviously, this is corrosive: it's not only friends and colleagues at Cardiff, it's - at this point - half of every contact, collaborator, people you know from conferences, library shelves, catalogues, a cuppa or a meeting. Friends.
A whole sector of the economy being trashed in real time.
A whole sector of the economy being trashed in real time.
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Wonderful to be able to welcome @themamoconf.bsky.social to Bluesky! MAMO London is coming up 24-26 June 2025 and the programme and details of how to register are at: themamo.org
The Middle Ages in the Modern World
A multidisciplinary conference on medievalism in the post-Middle Ages
themamo.org
March 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Wonderful to be able to welcome @themamoconf.bsky.social to Bluesky! MAMO London is coming up 24-26 June 2025 and the programme and details of how to register are at: themamo.org
Reposted by Simon Trafford
For our next seminar, @craighambling.bsky.social will be speaking on 'How Real is Too Real? Public History and the Interpretation of Medieval Martial Arts'. Weds 12/03, 17.30 GMT in person at @ihr.bsky.social and online. Further details and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/how-r...
How Real is Too Real? Public History and the Interpretation of Medieval Martial Arts
www.history.ac.uk
March 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
For our next seminar, @craighambling.bsky.social will be speaking on 'How Real is Too Real? Public History and the Interpretation of Medieval Martial Arts'. Weds 12/03, 17.30 GMT in person at @ihr.bsky.social and online. Further details and registration at: www.history.ac.uk/events/how-r...
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Attention, #UCU members in HE! We are bringing this motion to defend jobs and call off a ballot for IA over last years' pay to this Wednesday's emergency HEC. We will keep it open as long as we can but do not delay - sign and share today!
👇👇👇
👇👇👇
🚨Attention UCU members in HE: we have started an open letter for you to sign in support of a motion we're bringing to the meeting on Weds 19th which calls for a focus on defending jobs, reforming HE, & calling off a national ballot.
docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/...
docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/...
Plea to HEC to defend jobs and reform UK HE: call off ballot for Industrial Action
We, the undersigned members of UCU working in Higher Education, call on HEC to vote FOR the following motion at the emergency meeting on 19 February 2025.
Your signature and institution will be added...
docs.google.com
February 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Attention, #UCU members in HE! We are bringing this motion to defend jobs and call off a ballot for IA over last years' pay to this Wednesday's emergency HEC. We will keep it open as long as we can but do not delay - sign and share today!
👇👇👇
👇👇👇
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Do you have a proposal for an innovative new seminar to join the IHR Research Seminar programme? We are looking for 3 fresh seminar series to launch in 2025-26. Applications are open now - deadline of 31 March. Full details of what we are looking for and how to apply here:
IHR Research Seminars - New Series (2025)
Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.
buff.ly
January 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Do you have a proposal for an innovative new seminar to join the IHR Research Seminar programme? We are looking for 3 fresh seminar series to launch in 2025-26. Applications are open now - deadline of 31 March. Full details of what we are looking for and how to apply here:
Reposted by Simon Trafford
An exciting find by Duncan Wright and my colleague Ollie Creighton!
news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...
news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...
Archaeologists find ‘lost’ site depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that a house in England is the site of a lost residence of Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. By reinterpreting previous excavations and conducting ne...
news.exeter.ac.uk
January 28, 2025 at 9:06 AM
An exciting find by Duncan Wright and my colleague Ollie Creighton!
news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...
news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...
Just out: I'm interviewed here by Metal Hammer alongside Einar Selvik from Wardruna and JB Christofferson from Grand Magus about heavy metal's love affair with the Vikings. This was great fun to do! www.loudersound.com/features/why...
Why does metal love Vikings so much? We interviewed Grand Magus, Wardruna and a college professor to find out
Grand Magus’s JB Christoffersson, Wardruna’s Einar Selvik and mediaeval history lecturer Simon Trafford explain why heavy music can’t get enough of Viking culture
www.loudersound.com
January 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Just out: I'm interviewed here by Metal Hammer alongside Einar Selvik from Wardruna and JB Christofferson from Grand Magus about heavy metal's love affair with the Vikings. This was great fun to do! www.loudersound.com/features/why...
Really looking forward to @mareganlefay.bsky.social at the @ihrmedievalism.bsky.social next week. Still only just coping with writing 2025 as the date, though.
For our next seminar @mareganlefay.bsky.social (Bristol) will speak on 'Experiencing Arthur on site in medieval and early modern England'. Free in-person at
@ihr.bsky.social
and online, 17.30 UTC, Thurs 16/01/25. All welcome, but please register in advance. Info: www.history.ac.uk/events/exper...
@ihr.bsky.social
and online, 17.30 UTC, Thurs 16/01/25. All welcome, but please register in advance. Info: www.history.ac.uk/events/exper...
January 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Really looking forward to @mareganlefay.bsky.social at the @ihrmedievalism.bsky.social next week. Still only just coping with writing 2025 as the date, though.
I'd never realised that these were the Lewis chessmen I wanted until this evening. At the rather wonderful Longleat Festival of Light.
December 18, 2024 at 8:36 PM
I'd never realised that these were the Lewis chessmen I wanted until this evening. At the rather wonderful Longleat Festival of Light.
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Hwæt! For our next seminar Ian Felce (independent researcher) will speak on 'What? Beowulf and William Morris’s New Old English'. In-person at @ihr.bsky.social and online, 17.30 UTC, Weds 11/12/24. Free to attend and all welcome, but please register in advance at: www.history.ac.uk/events/what-...
December 5, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Hwæt! For our next seminar Ian Felce (independent researcher) will speak on 'What? Beowulf and William Morris’s New Old English'. In-person at @ihr.bsky.social and online, 17.30 UTC, Weds 11/12/24. Free to attend and all welcome, but please register in advance at: www.history.ac.uk/events/what-...
Reposted by Simon Trafford
Hello and welcome to all our new followers! We are a seminar group dedicated to discussion of the construction, use and appropriation of the Middle Ages in the post-medieval period. We meet on an approximately monthly basis during term times in-person at the University of London and online.
December 5, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Hello and welcome to all our new followers! We are a seminar group dedicated to discussion of the construction, use and appropriation of the Middle Ages in the post-medieval period. We meet on an approximately monthly basis during term times in-person at the University of London and online.
@tyguson.bsky.social's work is wonderful and this will be a great treat for those lucky enough to be there.
I’m giving my final talk of the year tomorrow at the @ihr.bsky.social ECR Symposium. I’ll be talking about why it is important to take a view from the sea when considering medieval voyages, and will talk about the insights I gained during my sailing fieldwork last year. #maritimehistory #medievalsky
December 4, 2024 at 9:43 AM
@tyguson.bsky.social's work is wonderful and this will be a great treat for those lucky enough to be there.
Reposted by Simon Trafford
November 26, 2024 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Simon Trafford
If you're new to #Bluesky and looking to develop your follower list, then the #StarterPacks have you covered. Search for what you're interested in - eg, 'Political Science' or 'Gender Studies' - then select a list that looks interesting & "Follow All". Easy! blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
Bluesky Starter Packs - Bluesky Directory
Browse a list of Bluesky Starter Packs. Discover and connect with your community on Bluesky
blueskydirectory.com
November 23, 2024 at 6:32 PM
If you're new to #Bluesky and looking to develop your follower list, then the #StarterPacks have you covered. Search for what you're interested in - eg, 'Political Science' or 'Gender Studies' - then select a list that looks interesting & "Follow All". Easy! blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
Windswept Hove beach with the West Pier looking dramatic.
November 23, 2024 at 1:24 PM
Windswept Hove beach with the West Pier looking dramatic.
Reposted by Simon Trafford
We made a Starter Pack of Centres (sorry, US followers) for Medieval Studies in the UK and beyond. Do let us know if you’d like to be added … go.bsky.app/PAQh2go
November 20, 2024 at 1:18 PM
We made a Starter Pack of Centres (sorry, US followers) for Medieval Studies in the UK and beyond. Do let us know if you’d like to be added … go.bsky.app/PAQh2go
Reposted by Simon Trafford
I've had a go at putting together a Medievalism starter pack - if you'd like to be added (or removed!), please do let me know :)
November 16, 2024 at 10:59 AM
I've had a go at putting together a Medievalism starter pack - if you'd like to be added (or removed!), please do let me know :)