Francesca Brooks
@francescabrooks.bsky.social
Lecturer in Old English at University College Cork. Writer of poetry & prose. Early Medievalist, Late Modernist, Feminist. Author of 'Poet of the Medieval Modern'. Find more of my writing at https://francescabrooks.com/
Pinned
Very much looking forward to this academic year - I'm pleased to say that I'm joining University College Cork as Lecturer in Old English with the Department of English & Digital Humanities!
I can't wait for what lies ahead.
I can't wait for what lies ahead.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Next Tuesday, join us online at 7pm for the launch of A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts.
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts: Carcanet Online Launch
Join us to celebrate the online book launch of A Letter to the Dead: Collected Poems by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks.
www.carcanet.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Next Tuesday, join us online at 7pm for the launch of A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts.
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
CFP: www.northampton.ac.uk/research-blo... Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present, a 2 day workshop (15-16 June 2026) 🗃️Please share - and submit an abstract!
Call For Papers: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present | UON
Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 Nostalgia, defined most simply as a wistful or...
www.northampton.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
CFP: www.northampton.ac.uk/research-blo... Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present, a 2 day workshop (15-16 June 2026) 🗃️Please share - and submit an abstract!
This book is a treat from start to finish, and the perfect Xmas gift for bookworms & archive fanatics.
⭐Discount Spotlight: Library Lives by Stella Halkyard🏫
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017437...
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017437...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
This book is a treat from start to finish, and the perfect Xmas gift for bookworms & archive fanatics.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Don’t invest in AI, invest in the future of the book
Why the publishing industry must back small presses, rather than LLMs.
www.thebookseller.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Congratulations to @jamesosullivan.bsky.social @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social and @mtu.ie colleagues including @marygalvin.bsky.social and Susan Rea of MTU Nimbus 🤩 - Minimal Curation is funded by @researchireland.ie #COALESCE
UCC and MTU to partner on 'Minimal Curation', a digital sociocultural heritage project funded by @researchireland.ie under its COALESCE scheme.
www.ucc.ie/en/dah/news/...
@ucc.ie @mtu.ie @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social @marygalvin.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social
www.ucc.ie/en/dah/news/...
@ucc.ie @mtu.ie @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social @marygalvin.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social
UCC and MTU to partner on digital sociocultural heritage project | University College Cork
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
www.ucc.ie
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Congratulations to @jamesosullivan.bsky.social @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social and @mtu.ie colleagues including @marygalvin.bsky.social and Susan Rea of MTU Nimbus 🤩 - Minimal Curation is funded by @researchireland.ie #COALESCE
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Up to £2,500 for 2-4 weeks in 2026. Open to postdoctoral researchers, or those with comparable records of research.
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Up to £2,500 for 2-4 weeks in 2026. Open to postdoctoral researchers, or those with comparable records of research.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Just tossing this back into TLs to start the day w/some brightness and fun-- 1 post (+ pretty manuscript image!) per chapter below for my forthcoming book on medieval manuscripts, design, and media.
Here’s the US distributor link, KENNEDY2026 will work here too for 20% off! But don't stop now!
Follow this thread to find out what you get for your CAN/USD!
Follow this thread to find out what you get for your CAN/USD!
Illuminating Media
Reveals the hidden power of medieval manuscript decoration and its lasting influence today. The overlooked art of late medieval English manuscript illumination—its initials, borders, and non-figurativ...
press.uchicago.edu
November 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Just tossing this back into TLs to start the day w/some brightness and fun-- 1 post (+ pretty manuscript image!) per chapter below for my forthcoming book on medieval manuscripts, design, and media.
Just read and loved 'What Remains'!
November 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Just read and loved 'What Remains'!
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
"Bullaun Press, founded by Bridget Farrell in 2021, is the first Irish publisher to focus exclusively on literature in translation, and their selections are already making waves".
In praise of small presses: Ireland's indie publishers celebrated
Ahead of the inaugural Dublin Small Press Fair this November, co-founders Tim Groenland and Éireann Lorsung salute a golden age for independent publishing in Ireland.
www.rte.ie
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
"Bullaun Press, founded by Bridget Farrell in 2021, is the first Irish publisher to focus exclusively on literature in translation, and their selections are already making waves".
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
As the weather gets colder, warm the cockles of your creative-critical heart by reading our new Meet a Medievalist Maker blog post by @jamespaz.bsky.social, which is filled with fiery reflections on his 'ecocreative' process🔥
Read more by following the link below👇
Read more by following the link below👇
Meet a Medievalist Maker: James Paz — The Guild of Medievalist Makers
www.guildmedmak.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Really enjoyed chatting with @kellyfaircloth.bsky.social about all things dirtbag medievalism, and delighted that the article is out now at Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Why are we so obsessed with the medieval right now?
From burning castles to swords and magic and velvet gowns, medievalism has taken over 21st century pop culture.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Really enjoyed chatting with @kellyfaircloth.bsky.social about all things dirtbag medievalism, and delighted that the article is out now at Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
A little reminder about this wonderful event, which I will be acting as host for!
Join us online at 7pm on Tuesday 25 November for the launch of A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts.
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts: Carcanet Online Launch
Join us to celebrate the online book launch of A Letter to the Dead: Collected Poems by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks.
www.carcanet.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A little reminder about this wonderful event, which I will be acting as host for!
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
A reminder that there are still a few days left to apply for this funded PhD, working on literary and cultural reception of the Vikings. University fees and a budget for conference attendance included in addition to the stipend: it's a great opportunity for someone! www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacanc...
Research Vacancies | University College Cork
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
www.ucc.ie
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A reminder that there are still a few days left to apply for this funded PhD, working on literary and cultural reception of the Vikings. University fees and a budget for conference attendance included in addition to the stipend: it's a great opportunity for someone! www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacanc...
Another brilliant opportunity to come and be part of the NorseMap project at UCC!
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
🚨 Job alert 🚨 NorseMap is recruiting for a new team member: a 3-year postdoctoral researcher with a background in Politics OR Old Norse Viking Studies to lead the 'Politics & Identity' strand of the project. Come and work with us at UCC!
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
November 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Another brilliant opportunity to come and be part of the NorseMap project at UCC!
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
I'm now 2 months into my job here and can attest that it is a very lovely place to work.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
🚨 Job alert 🚨 NorseMap is recruiting for a new team member: a 3-year postdoctoral researcher with a background in Politics OR Old Norse Viking Studies to lead the 'Politics & Identity' strand of the project. Come and work with us at UCC!
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
November 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
🚨 Job alert 🚨 NorseMap is recruiting for a new team member: a 3-year postdoctoral researcher with a background in Politics OR Old Norse Viking Studies to lead the 'Politics & Identity' strand of the project. Come and work with us at UCC!
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecru...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Finally caught up with the BBC's King and Conqueror series 👑🗡️. If you were interested in why shows and films set in the Middle Ages are so often filmed in Iceland, you might consider reading my chapter which touches on this in International Medievalisms (2023): www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
‘The Northland of Old’: The Use and ‘Misuse’ of (Medieval) Iceland (Chapter 6) - International Medievalisms
International Medievalisms - February 2023
www.cambridge.org
September 8, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Finally caught up with the BBC's King and Conqueror series 👑🗡️. If you were interested in why shows and films set in the Middle Ages are so often filmed in Iceland, you might consider reading my chapter which touches on this in International Medievalisms (2023): www.cambridge.org/core/books/a...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
wikipedia's data shows that AI is siphoning traffic away from the site, which is a danger to its sustainability. ironically Wikipedia is more important than ever to users who want reliable information instead of slop, and to AI companies that need it for training data www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
Wikipedia Says AI Is Causing a Dangerous Decline in Human Visitors
“With fewer visits to Wikipedia, fewer volunteers may grow and enrich the content, and fewer individual donors may support this work.”
www.404media.co
October 17, 2025 at 1:15 AM
wikipedia's data shows that AI is siphoning traffic away from the site, which is a danger to its sustainability. ironically Wikipedia is more important than ever to users who want reliable information instead of slop, and to AI companies that need it for training data www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
'Neither poet, poem nor reader is led into a closed room, but a play area for imaginative patterning.'
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Poem of the week: Simile by Éireann Lorsung
An elegant reflection on experience and imagination complicates a very familiar figure of speech
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
'Neither poet, poem nor reader is led into a closed room, but a play area for imaginative patterning.'
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Carol Rumens on Éireann Lorsung's poem 'Simile', which was chosen as the Guardian's Poem of the Week this week!
Read the article:⬇️
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Don’t forget to book your spot at Wednesday’s ‘Material Poetics: Drafting, Duration, Form’, organised by wonderful PhD students Sarafina Lee, Sara O’Brien, and Max Shirley 🧡 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/material-p...
Material Poetics: Drafting, Duration, Form
One-day symposium bringing together researchers and practitioners working on process materialities and contemporary poetics.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Don’t forget to book your spot at Wednesday’s ‘Material Poetics: Drafting, Duration, Form’, organised by wonderful PhD students Sarafina Lee, Sara O’Brien, and Max Shirley 🧡 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/material-p...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Furry seal skin AND tiny Icelandic manuscripts!
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
Eight pages bound in furry seal skin may be Norway's oldest book
The little book is so rare that the National Library of Norway is bringing in experts from around the world to learn more.
www.sciencenorway.no
November 3, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Furry seal skin AND tiny Icelandic manuscripts!
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
www.sciencenorway.no/cultural-his...
www.icelandreview.com/news/rare-15...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
My book is now available open access on project muse, with OAPen launch coming soon. Hard copies should start going out this week (if they have not already): you can get yours for 50% off with code SAR50.
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
My book is now available open access on project muse, with OAPen launch coming soon. Hard copies should start going out this week (if they have not already): you can get yours for 50% off with code SAR50.