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#OnThisDay in 1488 Bartolomeu Dias returns to Portugal after becoming 1st known European to sail round the Cape of Good Hope. Statue of Dias outside the High Commission of South Africa in London (Image: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).
December 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1488 Bartolomeu Dias returns to Portugal after becoming 1st known European to sail round the Cape of Good Hope. Statue of Dias outside the High Commission of South Africa in London (Image: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).
#OnThisDay in 1542, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland. She was just 6 days old, making her one of the youngest monarchs in history. Portrait of Mary as a 17 year old by François Clouet (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1542, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland. She was just 6 days old, making her one of the youngest monarchs in history. Portrait of Mary as a 17 year old by François Clouet (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
#OnThisDay in 1266, the rebels surrendered to Henry III at Kenilworth Castle, ending the largest and longest siege ever to have taken place in England. (© Derek Billings via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1266, the rebels surrendered to Henry III at Kenilworth Castle, ending the largest and longest siege ever to have taken place in England. (© Derek Billings via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) died #OnThisDay in 1282. He was one of the last native and independent rulers of Wales before its conquest by Edward I. Llywelyn is pictured here seated to the viewers's right of Edward I (Image: public domain via Wiki Commons CC BY SA 4.0).
December 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) died #OnThisDay in 1282. He was one of the last native and independent rulers of Wales before its conquest by Edward I. Llywelyn is pictured here seated to the viewers's right of Edward I (Image: public domain via Wiki Commons CC BY SA 4.0).
Following our AGM last week, we would like to welcome three new Ordinary Members to the SMA Council: Dr Marianne Hem Eriksen (University of Leicester), Dr Nick Holder (English Heritage) and Dr Adrián Maldonado (National Museums Scotland).
December 10, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Following our AGM last week, we would like to welcome three new Ordinary Members to the SMA Council: Dr Marianne Hem Eriksen (University of Leicester), Dr Nick Holder (English Heritage) and Dr Adrián Maldonado (National Museums Scotland).
We're concluding our #Take5 Vikings in the British Isles series with a look at five Viking Age sites on the Isle of Man. The island has a long Viking history, conquered and settled as it was by 820.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We're concluding our #Take5 Vikings in the British Isles series with a look at five Viking Age sites on the Isle of Man. The island has a long Viking history, conquered and settled as it was by 820.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
Charlemagne becomes sole King of the Franks #OnThisDay in 771, following the death of co-ruler Carloman I. Pictured is a silver denier of Charlemagne minted in Mainz in the collections of the Cabinet de Médalles in Paris. (Image: PHGCOM via Wiki Commons).
December 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Charlemagne becomes sole King of the Franks #OnThisDay in 771, following the death of co-ruler Carloman I. Pictured is a silver denier of Charlemagne minted in Mainz in the collections of the Cabinet de Médalles in Paris. (Image: PHGCOM via Wiki Commons).
Voting for the Current Archaeology Awards 2025 is now open & there are a couple of medieval nominees in there, including our very own Editor Duncan Wright, outgoing President Oliver Creighton, and Vice President Julian Richards. View the nominations & vote for your faves here: archaeology.co.uk/vote
Archaeology Awards Voting - Current Archaeology
Voting has now opened for the Current Archaeology Awards! Which people, projects and publications deserve recognition?
archaeology.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Voting for the Current Archaeology Awards 2025 is now open & there are a couple of medieval nominees in there, including our very own Editor Duncan Wright, outgoing President Oliver Creighton, and Vice President Julian Richards. View the nominations & vote for your faves here: archaeology.co.uk/vote
The Treaty of Paris was signed #OnThisDay in 1259, by Louis IX of France and Henry III of England. It established peace after decades of conflict between the two countries, albeit it temporarily. (Archives Nationales (France), Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Treaty of Paris was signed #OnThisDay in 1259, by Louis IX of France and Henry III of England. It established peace after decades of conflict between the two countries, albeit it temporarily. (Archives Nationales (France), Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
Adrian IV was elected Pope #OnThisDay in 1154. Adrian (formerly Nicholas Breakspear) was born in Hertfordshire and is the only Englishman to have been Pope. He is depicted here as Pope in the 12th century Chronicle of Casauria (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Adrian IV was elected Pope #OnThisDay in 1154. Adrian (formerly Nicholas Breakspear) was born in Hertfordshire and is the only Englishman to have been Pope. He is depicted here as Pope in the 12th century Chronicle of Casauria (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
This week we held our Annual General Meeting, followed by the Winter Symposium. It was a great opportunity to catch up on Society activities over the past 12 months. A big thank you to Steve Rippon, Sam Leggett & Rebecca Boyd, & their project colleagues, for taking the time to speak to our Members.
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This week we held our Annual General Meeting, followed by the Winter Symposium. It was a great opportunity to catch up on Society activities over the past 12 months. A big thank you to Steve Rippon, Sam Leggett & Rebecca Boyd, & their project colleagues, for taking the time to speak to our Members.
Here are two recent medieval news stories you might have missed! First, a lost medieval hall at the House of Parliament: tinyurl.com/socmedarch42 . Then medieval spears pulled from a Polish lake: tinyurl.com/socmedarch43 (Image of diver recovering spear, credit: Marcin Trzciński) #medieval
December 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Here are two recent medieval news stories you might have missed! First, a lost medieval hall at the House of Parliament: tinyurl.com/socmedarch42 . Then medieval spears pulled from a Polish lake: tinyurl.com/socmedarch43 (Image of diver recovering spear, credit: Marcin Trzciński) #medieval
The university of Leipzig opened #OnThisDay in 1409. One of the oldest universities in the world, it has been involved in teaching and research for over 615 years without interruption, even during the Second World War. Image: portrait of Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, who founded the university.
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The university of Leipzig opened #OnThisDay in 1409. One of the oldest universities in the world, it has been involved in teaching and research for over 615 years without interruption, even during the Second World War. Image: portrait of Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, who founded the university.
Henry I died #OnThisDay in 1135. He is said to have become ill after eating too many lampreys against his physician's advice. His heart and intestines were buried at the priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pre, whilst his body was finally buried at Reading Abbey. (Image: ReadingMuseum.org.uk).
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Henry I died #OnThisDay in 1135. He is said to have become ill after eating too many lampreys against his physician's advice. His heart and intestines were buried at the priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pre, whilst his body was finally buried at Reading Abbey. (Image: ReadingMuseum.org.uk).
Anna Komnene is born #OnThisDay in 1038. Anna was a Byzantine princess, scholar, and historian, best known for her work The Alexiad, chronicling the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos - an important primary source for Byzantine history. Image shows 12th-century manuscript of the Alexiad
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Anna Komnene is born #OnThisDay in 1038. Anna was a Byzantine princess, scholar, and historian, best known for her work The Alexiad, chronicling the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos - an important primary source for Byzantine history. Image shows 12th-century manuscript of the Alexiad
Happy St. Andrew's Day to our Scottish followers! This medieval seal matrix, recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, depicts Andrew shackled to a saltire cross. The full record can be viewed here: buff.ly/3Za0YP3 #StAndrewsDay (Image: I. Szymanski CC BY SA 4.0).
November 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Happy St. Andrew's Day to our Scottish followers! This medieval seal matrix, recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, depicts Andrew shackled to a saltire cross. The full record can be viewed here: buff.ly/3Za0YP3 #StAndrewsDay (Image: I. Szymanski CC BY SA 4.0).
Owain Gwynedd died #OnThisDay in 1170 (though some sources say 23rd Nov). The first man to style himself "Prince of Wales" is depicted here in a painting by Hugh Williams from 1909. (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
November 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Owain Gwynedd died #OnThisDay in 1170 (though some sources say 23rd Nov). The first man to style himself "Prince of Wales" is depicted here in a painting by Hugh Williams from 1909. (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
📢 The latest edition from our SMA Monograph Series is OUT NOW! Monograph 45 by Dave Evans is titled: Excavations at the Austin Friary, Hull, Yorkshire, 1994 and 1999 - Part 1, the stratigraphic sequence.
November 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
📢 The latest edition from our SMA Monograph Series is OUT NOW! Monograph 45 by Dave Evans is titled: Excavations at the Austin Friary, Hull, Yorkshire, 1994 and 1999 - Part 1, the stratigraphic sequence.
The reign of Eadwig begins #OnThisDay in 955. Eadwig is pictured here in a miniature from a Royal Genealogy of the fourteenth century (Image: British Library Royal MS 14 B VI).
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The reign of Eadwig begins #OnThisDay in 955. Eadwig is pictured here in a miniature from a Royal Genealogy of the fourteenth century (Image: British Library Royal MS 14 B VI).
This week #Take5 continues its Viking tour with 5 Viking-Age sites in Wales. Clockwise from top left: St. Deiniol's Monastery, Bangor; Swansea; Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey; Bryn Maelgwyn, near Llandudno; Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey.
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
This week #Take5 continues its Viking tour with 5 Viking-Age sites in Wales. Clockwise from top left: St. Deiniol's Monastery, Bangor; Swansea; Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey; Bryn Maelgwyn, near Llandudno; Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey.
Here are two recent medieval news stories for you! First, medieval armour found in Georgia: tinyurl.com/socmedarch40 Next, a manuscript bound in sealskin which may be Norway's oldest book: tinyurl.com/socmedarch41 (Image: medieval helmet, Rustavi History Museum).
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Here are two recent medieval news stories for you! First, medieval armour found in Georgia: tinyurl.com/socmedarch40 Next, a manuscript bound in sealskin which may be Norway's oldest book: tinyurl.com/socmedarch41 (Image: medieval helmet, Rustavi History Museum).
The reign of Edward I begins #OnThisDay in 1272. Pictured is the Coronation Chair he had commissioned in 1296 to house the Stone of Scone, and which is still used in the Coronation ceremony today, over 700 years later! (Image: Kjetil Bjørnsrud via Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.5)
November 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The reign of Edward I begins #OnThisDay in 1272. Pictured is the Coronation Chair he had commissioned in 1296 to house the Stone of Scone, and which is still used in the Coronation ceremony today, over 700 years later! (Image: Kjetil Bjørnsrud via Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.5)
Here are two recent #medieval news stories you may have missed! First, some rare medieval remains uncovered in Glasgow: tinyurl.com/socmedarch38 And next, a medieval wall uncovered at St. Oswald's Priory: tinyurl.com/socmedarch39
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Here are two recent #medieval news stories you may have missed! First, some rare medieval remains uncovered in Glasgow: tinyurl.com/socmedarch38 And next, a medieval wall uncovered at St. Oswald's Priory: tinyurl.com/socmedarch39
The reign of Harold Harefoot began #OnThisDay in 1035, although he was not officially proclaimed so until 1037. This 13th century drawing of Harold is from "The Life of King Edward the Confessor" by Matthew Paris (Cambridge University Library MS Ee.3.59).
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The reign of Harold Harefoot began #OnThisDay in 1035, although he was not officially proclaimed so until 1037. This 13th century drawing of Harold is from "The Life of King Edward the Confessor" by Matthew Paris (Cambridge University Library MS Ee.3.59).
Our AGM and Winter Symposium will take place on Monday 1st December 2025. Full details can be found in our Autumn Newsletter which all Members should now have received. We look forward to seeing as many Members there as possible. To become a Member visit: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/how-to-join/
November 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Our AGM and Winter Symposium will take place on Monday 1st December 2025. Full details can be found in our Autumn Newsletter which all Members should now have received. We look forward to seeing as many Members there as possible. To become a Member visit: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/how-to-join/