Belle de jour
@bowman120.bsky.social
Archaeologist & antiquarian; ex-Whitehall Digital programme mgr; Info & Rec Mgt; longbow archer; French 🍷; jazz 🥁 . Eclectic. Opinions own, retweets not always endorsements
The ‘Chaucer Stone’ illustrated in the Museum Brittanicum, part of the British Museum’s gallery on collectors from the Age of Enlightenment’
November 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The ‘Chaucer Stone’ illustrated in the Museum Brittanicum, part of the British Museum’s gallery on collectors from the Age of Enlightenment’
Not every Halloween needs to be pumpkins and American slasher movies…. Back in our prehistory, there were already unsettling things in our waterlogged landscape, which would re-emerge centuries later…..
October 31, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Not every Halloween needs to be pumpkins and American slasher movies…. Back in our prehistory, there were already unsettling things in our waterlogged landscape, which would re-emerge centuries later…..
Many of you won’t have heard of him, but since the prog 60s has influenced such a large number of bands…even John Lydon cites him as a formative influence. Waiting to see his final concert of this tour at Royal Festival Hall…looks like each set list is going to be completely different each night.
October 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Many of you won’t have heard of him, but since the prog 60s has influenced such a large number of bands…even John Lydon cites him as a formative influence. Waiting to see his final concert of this tour at Royal Festival Hall…looks like each set list is going to be completely different each night.
A Hindu goddess, AD 650 - 800 collected in Cambodia, possibly Shiva’s consort Parvati. Last quarter of C19, collected by French archaeologist Etienne Aymonier. Part of the wonderful BM exhibition on ancient India, living traditions exploring Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism - on till 19th October.
September 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A Hindu goddess, AD 650 - 800 collected in Cambodia, possibly Shiva’s consort Parvati. Last quarter of C19, collected by French archaeologist Etienne Aymonier. Part of the wonderful BM exhibition on ancient India, living traditions exploring Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism - on till 19th October.
Look at mid 30s England, there was similar polarisation. A lot of support for Mosley’s back shirts, admiration for what Hitler had achieved in Germany, and hostility towards Jews - just look at headlines from the Mail at the time, and accompanying cartoons. Of course, changed quickly in 03/09/39.
September 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Look at mid 30s England, there was similar polarisation. A lot of support for Mosley’s back shirts, admiration for what Hitler had achieved in Germany, and hostility towards Jews - just look at headlines from the Mail at the time, and accompanying cartoons. Of course, changed quickly in 03/09/39.
This was my take on them…finding these could be the start of an MR James ghost story for Christmas…
September 20, 2025 at 8:41 PM
This was my take on them…finding these could be the start of an MR James ghost story for Christmas…
Nice to see a Spitfire overhead while visiting Hawkinge today (museum closed on a Monday, so nearest date to BoB day for 85th Anniversary)
September 16, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Nice to see a Spitfire overhead while visiting Hawkinge today (museum closed on a Monday, so nearest date to BoB day for 85th Anniversary)
Normally a setting for somber reflection, but today, one of Joy - celebrating the victory in Europe 80 years ago against fascism.
May 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Normally a setting for somber reflection, but today, one of Joy - celebrating the victory in Europe 80 years ago against fascism.
It’s Beltane, and time for your appointment with the Whicker Man….
May 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
It’s Beltane, and time for your appointment with the Whicker Man….
Semana Santa in Andalusia…. The parades last longer than an average Wagnerian opera…..while the faithful lug floats weighing several tonnes for most of the evening along the precessional route.
April 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Semana Santa in Andalusia…. The parades last longer than an average Wagnerian opera…..while the faithful lug floats weighing several tonnes for most of the evening along the precessional route.
Now back in the day (well, 60 AD or earlier), the golden sickles would have been out at dawn on Mona stripped that lot bare, and had it brewing in the pot to be shipped across to Le Yaudet….
April 9, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Now back in the day (well, 60 AD or earlier), the golden sickles would have been out at dawn on Mona stripped that lot bare, and had it brewing in the pot to be shipped across to Le Yaudet….
It sounds like quite a find - and not too far from Stanwick - very likely they are connected. I know several people who excavated there in the 80s, following Wheeler’s in 51/52, and finds were not that spectacular. But there is another nearby hoard found in 1845, includes the horse mask in the BM.
March 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
It sounds like quite a find - and not too far from Stanwick - very likely they are connected. I know several people who excavated there in the 80s, following Wheeler’s in 51/52, and finds were not that spectacular. But there is another nearby hoard found in 1845, includes the horse mask in the BM.
Much better performance from Wales, against one of the best teams in the world right now. If a few passes and the (correctly) disallowed try had stood, they might have won. A loss is a loss, but it’s promising for the future - Wales had good shape and attacking intent. And U20s team beat them!
February 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Much better performance from Wales, against one of the best teams in the world right now. If a few passes and the (correctly) disallowed try had stood, they might have won. A loss is a loss, but it’s promising for the future - Wales had good shape and attacking intent. And U20s team beat them!
Our Cousins across the water often bemoan their paucity of history (those that do so are the least likely to mention Native American cultures). And yet they are currently experiencing what it was like to live during the early months of the reign of Caligula, in a way that we Brits never will.
February 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Our Cousins across the water often bemoan their paucity of history (those that do so are the least likely to mention Native American cultures). And yet they are currently experiencing what it was like to live during the early months of the reign of Caligula, in a way that we Brits never will.
Amongst other rarities, you can see a document actually signed by Jeanne d’Arc. It’s a really impressive exhibition. And a rarity in that, being largely focussed on books, requires reading the captions in detail to make sense of it !
January 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Amongst other rarities, you can see a document actually signed by Jeanne d’Arc. It’s a really impressive exhibition. And a rarity in that, being largely focussed on books, requires reading the captions in detail to make sense of it !
Amanda, as the East London artist Robert Montgomery put it, “the people you love become ghosts inside of you and like this you keep them alive “
December 29, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Amanda, as the East London artist Robert Montgomery put it, “the people you love become ghosts inside of you and like this you keep them alive “
On a casual first read, I thought this was referring to these:
December 28, 2024 at 5:51 PM
On a casual first read, I thought this was referring to these:
According to Shutterstock, this is what Nige getting it down wiv da youf looks like…
December 28, 2024 at 5:40 PM
According to Shutterstock, this is what Nige getting it down wiv da youf looks like…
It’s on just such days you need to take care, for who knows what is lurking behind the stones …. (This from All Hallows Eve)
December 28, 2024 at 11:32 AM
It’s on just such days you need to take care, for who knows what is lurking behind the stones …. (This from All Hallows Eve)
Christmas is cancelled, Gerry - has to be watched every year!
December 23, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Christmas is cancelled, Gerry - has to be watched every year!
Very enjoyable with a glass or two of port - followed by your Churches Trust lecture on the ghosts of Christmas! A nice way to see out the solstice.
December 21, 2024 at 9:51 PM
Very enjoyable with a glass or two of port - followed by your Churches Trust lecture on the ghosts of Christmas! A nice way to see out the solstice.
Salisbury is a fine museum - Companions of the Longbow run a have a go archery stand at their festival of archaeology in July, which is always really enjoyable. A diverse set of displays and speakers. Lots of hands on, and a great intro to archaeology for children too! Even taught Alice to shoot!
November 18, 2024 at 11:23 PM
Salisbury is a fine museum - Companions of the Longbow run a have a go archery stand at their festival of archaeology in July, which is always really enjoyable. A diverse set of displays and speakers. Lots of hands on, and a great intro to archaeology for children too! Even taught Alice to shoot!