Dr Rory MacLellan
@rorymaclellan.bsky.social
Historian of the Hospitallers, Templars, crusades, and Jews in medieval England.
rorymaclellan.com
rorymaclellan.com
Kindly supplied by a friend
November 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Kindly supplied by a friend
Medieval institutions were not nearly as powerful as people today imagine. The extremes discussed in this thread are much more modern threats, ones made possible by modern technology.
November 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Medieval institutions were not nearly as powerful as people today imagine. The extremes discussed in this thread are much more modern threats, ones made possible by modern technology.
The only other depictions on tombs in England I know of from close to that period are 1474 (left) and 1511-1518 (right). The coffin of Prior Weston also had a cross pattee.
November 1, 2025 at 10:55 AM
The only other depictions on tombs in England I know of from close to that period are 1474 (left) and 1511-1518 (right). The coffin of Prior Weston also had a cross pattee.
The weirdest bit from my latest conference paper on Nick Griffin's band of Knights Templar cosplayers was the group's ruling on the correct pronunciation of 'Outremer', shifting from an 'Allo 'Allo reference to full on blut und boden.
October 31, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The weirdest bit from my latest conference paper on Nick Griffin's band of Knights Templar cosplayers was the group's ruling on the correct pronunciation of 'Outremer', shifting from an 'Allo 'Allo reference to full on blut und boden.
Charter of John Balliol 'heir of the kingdom of Scotland' granting manors in northern England to the warlike bishop of Durham Antony Bek, 15 November 1290. LFC Ch XXX 7. #medievalsky
October 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Charter of John Balliol 'heir of the kingdom of Scotland' granting manors in northern England to the warlike bishop of Durham Antony Bek, 15 November 1290. LFC Ch XXX 7. #medievalsky
...are you sure, Google?
October 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
...are you sure, Google?
Had a great time speaking at the Museum of the Order of St John last night about the Templars and Hospitallers and then signing some copies of my book on the Hospitallers, 'Warrior Monks', afterwards.
October 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Had a great time speaking at the Museum of the Order of St John last night about the Templars and Hospitallers and then signing some copies of my book on the Hospitallers, 'Warrior Monks', afterwards.
Seal showing St Margaret of Antioch bursting out from the dragon that ate her and driving a staff into its mouth. LFC Ch XXVIII 2. #medievalsky
October 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Seal showing St Margaret of Antioch bursting out from the dragon that ate her and driving a staff into its mouth. LFC Ch XXVIII 2. #medievalsky
13th century seal showing a hand holding a sprig of foliage. LFC Ch XXVII 15. #medievalsky
October 7, 2025 at 10:29 AM
13th century seal showing a hand holding a sprig of foliage. LFC Ch XXVII 15. #medievalsky
Seal of Henry of Winchelsea, with an impression from an intaglio gem of a lobster. LFC Ch XXVI 17. #medievalsky
October 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Seal of Henry of Winchelsea, with an impression from an intaglio gem of a lobster. LFC Ch XXVI 17. #medievalsky
Spotted in the wild at Foyle's.
September 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Spotted in the wild at Foyle's.
Publication day! My book on the Knights Hospitaller, 'Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Medieval Britain' is now out. Available in all good and evil bookshops: www.amazon.co.uk/Warrior-Monk...
September 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Publication day! My book on the Knights Hospitaller, 'Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Medieval Britain' is now out. Available in all good and evil bookshops: www.amazon.co.uk/Warrior-Monk...
A strolling eagle looking at the stars. LFC Ch XXV 12. #medievalsky
September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
A strolling eagle looking at the stars. LFC Ch XXV 12. #medievalsky
Interpreted less charitably by Thomas Astle, its former owner, who drew it as a horned devil holding a baby and two brands. Stowe MS 665, f. 86r.
September 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Interpreted less charitably by Thomas Astle, its former owner, who drew it as a horned devil holding a baby and two brands. Stowe MS 665, f. 86r.
Grant of Margaret Neville to her son in 1315 of her London mansion called 'la Sale de Plum', the Hall of Lead. The area is still called Leadenhall today. LFC Ch XXIII 16. #medievalsky
September 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Grant of Margaret Neville to her son in 1315 of her London mansion called 'la Sale de Plum', the Hall of Lead. The area is still called Leadenhall today. LFC Ch XXIII 16. #medievalsky
The back of the seal of Hubert de Burgh, a key figure in the governments of John and Henry III. An ancient intaglio gem was used showing Mercury holding a caduceus, a staff entwined with serpents. LFC Ch XXIII 3.
September 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The back of the seal of Hubert de Burgh, a key figure in the governments of John and Henry III. An ancient intaglio gem was used showing Mercury holding a caduceus, a staff entwined with serpents. LFC Ch XXIII 3.
Tiny grotesque on this 1292 charter granting the manor of Sheet near Ludlow. LFC Ch XXIII 1. #medievalsky
September 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Tiny grotesque on this 1292 charter granting the manor of Sheet near Ludlow. LFC Ch XXIII 1. #medievalsky
Stephen of Werehorn. LFC Ch XXII 5. Bit concerning when googling the name to have the safe search option come up. Werehorn thankfully turned out to be the name of a village.
September 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Stephen of Werehorn. LFC Ch XXII 5. Bit concerning when googling the name to have the safe search option come up. Werehorn thankfully turned out to be the name of a village.
Haven't seen this before. A husband and wife stamped a different side of the same piece of wax with their seal. LFC Ch XXV 14. #medievalsky
September 15, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Haven't seen this before. A husband and wife stamped a different side of the same piece of wax with their seal. LFC Ch XXV 14. #medievalsky
Seal of Baldwin, count of Flanders and Hainault, later 1st Latin Emperor of Constantinople following the Fourth Crusade. LFC Ch XXII 4. #medievalsky
September 12, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Seal of Baldwin, count of Flanders and Hainault, later 1st Latin Emperor of Constantinople following the Fourth Crusade. LFC Ch XXII 4. #medievalsky
Seal with a ship with furled sails. LFC Ch XXV 16. #medievalsky
September 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Seal with a ship with furled sails. LFC Ch XXV 16. #medievalsky
Another great medieval name: Dudeman. LFC Ch XXV 1. #medievalsky
September 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Another great medieval name: Dudeman. LFC Ch XXV 1. #medievalsky
Very early depiction of Canterbury Cathedral in this seal of the cathedral chapter, attached to a charter of 1152, but using a seal matrix possibly of the 11th century. LFC Ch XXII 2. #medievalsky
September 5, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Very early depiction of Canterbury Cathedral in this seal of the cathedral chapter, attached to a charter of 1152, but using a seal matrix possibly of the 11th century. LFC Ch XXII 2. #medievalsky
Followed by verses on the kings of England, very similar to those by John Lydgate with some variations on wording.
September 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Followed by verses on the kings of England, very similar to those by John Lydgate with some variations on wording.
'King Arthur died, never to return'. Not sure if this is a scribal error for umquam or someone being contrarian. LFC Roll XX 4. #medievalsky
September 2, 2025 at 12:26 PM
'King Arthur died, never to return'. Not sure if this is a scribal error for umquam or someone being contrarian. LFC Roll XX 4. #medievalsky