Scilicet
@scilicetblog.bsky.social
đ€ 421
đ„ 504
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A History of Knowledge blog by Guy Fassler, James Fox, and Natalie Smith
https://scilicet.org.uk
pinned post!
Newly arrived from twitter! This blog is dedicated to various - and often less obvious - forms of knowledge. It was born out of our studies as history PhD students. We write in a simple (but not simplistic) way so anyone could enjoy our lovely and obscure subjects and historical sourcesđŠ
11 months ago
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Early Modern How-to Books
3 days ago
đ Beekeeping was a staple of early modern how-to books. A new blog post by
@jamesafox.bsky.social
explores the changing tone of English apicultural books...
#beekeeping
#bookhistory
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What do beekeeping books tell us about changes in early modern science and society?
@jamesafox.bsky.social
has some suggestions, especially in relation to
#17thCentury
England
scilicet.org.uk/the-hive-tur...
#Skystorians
#EarlyModern
#Bees
#AnimalHistory
3 days ago
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Guy Fassler
4 days ago
Very excited about our new series starting tomorrow!
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We're back from our summer break, and are ready for a new season âïž Keep an eye on this page tomorrow, there's something buzzing...
4 days ago
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James Fox
10 days ago
The latest issue of Scottish Archives has now been published, featuring work from
@mchapelproject.bsky.social
@nicolemaceira.bsky.social
@ksmcgregor.bsky.social
and myself, among others. If anyone would like a PDF of my article, just send me a message!
#bookhistory
#scottishhistory
#Archives
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Early Modern How-to Books
26 days ago
New on our
#blog
:
@jamesafox.bsky.social
explores the unique
#marginalia
in a one-of-a-kind 16th-century French arithmetic book from the Herzog August Bibliothek đđ©đȘ𧟠Read more here:
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4415
#bookhistory
#rarebooks
#knowledge
#mathematics
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Everyone likes a good villain. One who is just waiting for a biopic about him is Gautier de Brienne (duke of Athens) who briefly became the autocratic ruler of Florence. If you want to learn more about him, give this post a read or explore others in our back catalogue!
#Skystorians
#Florence
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Medieval Elections I: The Duke of Athens goes to parliament | Scilicet
In celebration of the UK 2024 general election, we delve into some intriguing and intricate elections from medieval Italy. This first one comes from 14th C. Florence and involves the mysterious Duke o...
https://scilicet.org.uk/medieval-elections-i-the-duke-of-athens-goes-to-parliament
about 1 month ago
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Before becoming the king of Sweden, young Gustav Adolf showed remarkable aptitude for drawing. His doodles of horses and military scenes give a fascinating insight into the childhood of a future king. Read our post here, and why not explore our back catalogue!
#Skystorians
#Sweden
#AnimalHistory
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Royal Doodles: Gustav IV Adolf of Swedenâs childhood drawings of horses | Scilicet
A curious set of drawings by the future king of Sweden, 10 year old Gustav IV Adolf, shed some light on a royal childhood.
https://scilicet.org.uk/royal-doodles-gustav-iv-adolf
about 1 month ago
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Early Modern How-to Books
about 2 months ago
In our latest blog post
@jamesafox.bsky.social
examines the only surviving copy of the first Paracelsian medical text printed in English, 1575 - an important milestone in the history of Anglophone how-to books.
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4371
#bookhistory
#rarebooks
#medicalhistory
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reposted by
Scilicet
Guy Fassler
3 months ago
Last week we had a post about bees on
@scilicetblog.bsky.social
, but there's lots more
#AnimalHistory
to be found there! From Swedish royal monkeys to Italian dogs in churches, and from Medieval lions to 18th Century birds... Check it out!
scilicet.org.uk/animals
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Animals | Scilicet
https://scilicet.org.uk/animals
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Scilicet
ICYMI, yesterday's post by
@guyfassler.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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ICYMI, yesterday's post by
@guyfassler.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
Guy Fassler
4 months ago
My latest post for Scilicet on why bees were considered the perfect society in the
#AberdeenBestiary
.
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Fantastic bees and where to find them đ What can a
#medieval
book of strange animals teach us about kingship and ideal society?
@guyfassler.bsky.social
explains how the Aberdeen Bestiary can answer these questions in our latest post:
scilicet.org.uk/fantastic-be...
#Skystorians
#MedievalHistory
4 months ago
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Scilicet
Natalie M. Smith
4 months ago
My most recent post for Scilicet, on viking history and Swedish national identity
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After Swedenâs empire crumbled, Swedes looked to the Vikings for a new sense of identity. But why Vikings, and how did this reshape how they saw their own landscape?
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
explores in our latest post:
scilicet.org.uk/rediscoverin...
#Skystorians
#Vikings
"
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Rediscovering the Vikings | Scilicet
After the collapse of the Swedish empire, Swedes found themselves turning to their ancient forebearers the Vikings for help. But how did it come about and how did it shape their understanding of the S...
https://scilicet.org.uk/rediscovering-the-vikings
4 months ago
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Youâve probably heard of Martha Stewart, but how about MĂ€rta Sture? In this post,
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
takes us through her recipes for pear compote, beer soup, and carrot cake from 1739!
scilicet.org.uk/beer-soup-pe...
#Skystorians
#History
#Foodhistory
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Beer soup, pear jam and carrot cake from MĂ€rta Stureâs 1739 recipe book | Scilicet
What was Swedish food like in the eighteenth century? A fantastic book in which MĂ€rta Sture wrote down hundreds of recipes paints a tasty (if aometimes unusual)Â picture.
https://scilicet.org.uk/beer-soup-pear-jam-and-carrot-cake-from-marta-stures-1739-recipe-book
4 months ago
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Scilicet
Hungry for more historical recipes? đż
@guyfassler.bsky.social
has found multiple Salsa Verde recipes spanning multiple centuries, offering a delicious insight into how tastes have changed over time. Why not give one a try?
scilicet.org.uk/salsa-verde-...
#Skystorians
#History
#SalsaVerde
4 months ago
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Hungry for more historical recipes? đż
@guyfassler.bsky.social
has found multiple Salsa Verde recipes spanning multiple centuries, offering a delicious insight into how tastes have changed over time. Why not give one a try?
scilicet.org.uk/salsa-verde-...
#Skystorians
#History
#SalsaVerde
4 months ago
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A leopard with a policeman's moustache, spotted(!) amongst the ceramics at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello
4 months ago
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Happy birthday, Carl Linnaeus! đżđ±đŒ We're celebrating by revisiting our favourite letter to him, translated here by
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
. It was written by nobleman Olof von Dalin in 1762, asking: Should Royal Monkeys Wear Sweaters During the Winter?
scilicet.org.uk/should-royal...
#Skystorians
4 months ago
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Scilicet
Before becoming king, a young Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden sketched several scenes of horses and battlefieldsđŽđȘ In this archival post,
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
talks us through some of these childhood doodles:
scilicet.org.uk/royal-doodle...
#ThrowbackThursday
#SwedishHistory
#Skystorians
4 months ago
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Before becoming king, a young Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden sketched several scenes of horses and battlefieldsđŽđȘ In this archival post,
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
talks us through some of these childhood doodles:
scilicet.org.uk/royal-doodle...
#ThrowbackThursday
#SwedishHistory
#Skystorians
4 months ago
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In case you missed them in our migration from twitter, we're going to be spotlighting some older posts from the Scilicet archives every
#throwbackthursday
4 months ago
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Happy
#NumeracyDay
! âïžââđą We're celebrating by revisiting some excellent numeracy-related blog posts by
@jamesafox.bsky.social
First, we have the curious case of Cocker's Arithmetick being the butt of a joke
scilicet.org.uk/no-laughing-...
#SkyStorians
#BookHistory
#Numeracy
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No laughing matter? The curious case of Cockerâs Arithmetick | Scilicet
Why was Cockerâs Arithmetick, the most successful arithmetic textbook of its day, the butt of a joke?
https://scilicet.org.uk/no-laughing-matter-the-curious-case-of-cockers-arithmetick
4 months ago
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Scilicet
We all need to eat, but the way we cook and share food says a lot about class, culture and identity. In our latest post,
@guyfassler.bsky.social
,
@jamesafox.bsky.social
and
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
dig in to some historical recipes from across Europe đœïž
scilicet.org.uk/food-for-tho...
#Skystorians
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Food for thought: Recipe books through history | Scilicet
We all need to eat, but the way we do says much about our place in society. Looking at a range of recipe books through history shows this has long been the case.
https://scilicet.org.uk/food-for-thought-recipe-books-through-history
4 months ago
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Kristin Halverson
4 months ago
What a fantastic blog post! And timely: Iâve been looking through some of the handwritten cookbooks (a treasure trove!) in the National Library of Swedenâs manuscript collection today. đ
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We all need to eat, but the way we cook and share food says a lot about class, culture and identity. In our latest post,
@guyfassler.bsky.social
,
@jamesafox.bsky.social
and
@nataliesmith.bsky.social
dig in to some historical recipes from across Europe đœïž
scilicet.org.uk/food-for-tho...
#Skystorians
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Food for thought: Recipe books through history | Scilicet
We all need to eat, but the way we do says much about our place in society. Looking at a range of recipe books through history shows this has long been the case.
https://scilicet.org.uk/food-for-thought-recipe-books-through-history
4 months ago
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Habemus Papam!
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5 months ago
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Waiting for white smoke? Pass the time with some papal intrigue! First up from
@guyfassler.bsky.social
: Did a melon really kill Pope Paul II? đ
scilicet.org.uk/did-a-melon-...
#Conclave
#Vatican
#Skystorians
5 months ago
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ICYMI!
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5 months ago
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Today is National Weather Observers Day! We're celebrating by revisiting our weather-related post. First, we have one by
@jamesafox.bsky.social
on Janet Burnet, who meticulously documented the weather in Aberdeenshire for 37 years
scilicet.org.uk/the-woman-wh...
#Skystorians
#ScottishHistory
#18thC
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The woman who documented the weather every day for thirty-seven years | Scilicet
Why did Janet Burnet of Kemnay House in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, meticulously record the weather almost every day from 1758 to 1795?
https://scilicet.org.uk/the-woman-who-documented-the-weather
5 months ago
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Scilicet
Natalie M. Smith
5 months ago
Excellent new post by
@guyfassler.bsky.social
! Let's hope this coming conclave isn't quite as dramatic as this
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Scilicet
As the next papal
#conclave
approaches,
@guyfassler.bsky.social
explores its dramatic and mysterious origins. How exactly did a deadlocked election and locked-in cardinals lead Gregory X to reform the process forever? âȘ đ
scilicet.org.uk/with-a-key-t...
#Vatican
#skystorians
#publichistory
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With a key: The extraordinary beginnings of the conclave | Scilicet
The election of a Catholic pope is steeped in mystery, history, and political intrigue. But what are the origins of the conclave â the locked-room tradition that has was used in pontifical elections s...
https://scilicet.org.uk/with-a-key-the-extraordinary-beginnings-of-the-conclave
5 months ago
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As the next papal
#conclave
approaches,
@guyfassler.bsky.social
explores its dramatic and mysterious origins. How exactly did a deadlocked election and locked-in cardinals lead Gregory X to reform the process forever? âȘ đ
scilicet.org.uk/with-a-key-t...
#Vatican
#skystorians
#publichistory
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With a key: The extraordinary beginnings of the conclave | Scilicet
The election of a Catholic pope is steeped in mystery, history, and political intrigue. But what are the origins of the conclave â the locked-room tradition that has was used in pontifical elections s...
https://scilicet.org.uk/with-a-key-the-extraordinary-beginnings-of-the-conclave
5 months ago
1
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reposted by
Scilicet
Lady Gagaâs pop anthem
#Abracadabra
is the latest chapter in a 2,000-year magical history đȘ In this post,
@jamesafox.bsky.social
explores the history behind the themes of Gagaâs work. Of interest for
#LittleMonsters
and history enthusiasts alike! đ¶
#skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/abracadabra-...
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Abracadabra: the magical history behind Lady Gagaâs latest hit | Scilicet
Lady Gagaâs new pop anthem, 'Abracadabra', is the latest chapter in a 2,000-year magical history.
https://scilicet.org.uk/abracadabra-the-magical-history-behind-lady-gagas-latest-hit
5 months ago
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ICYMI
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5 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
Early Modern How-to Books
5 months ago
#earlymodern
how-to books often feature colourful and sometimes perplexing medical recipes involving 'abracadabra' charms...
#bookhistory
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Lady Gagaâs pop anthem
#Abracadabra
is the latest chapter in a 2,000-year magical history đȘ In this post,
@jamesafox.bsky.social
explores the history behind the themes of Gagaâs work. Of interest for
#LittleMonsters
and history enthusiasts alike! đ¶
#skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/abracadabra-...
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Abracadabra: the magical history behind Lady Gagaâs latest hit | Scilicet
Lady Gagaâs new pop anthem, 'Abracadabra', is the latest chapter in a 2,000-year magical history.
https://scilicet.org.uk/abracadabra-the-magical-history-behind-lady-gagas-latest-hit
5 months ago
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Scilicet
Is the cost of living crisis making you nostalgic for the good old days? Then it's time to revisit this post by
@jamesafox.bsky.social
#Skystorians
#UKhist
#tbt
scilicet.org.uk/inflation-an...
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Inflation and nostalgia in early modern Britain | Scilicet
In the past, as today, cost of living crises made people nostalgic for the good old days.
https://scilicet.org.uk/inflation-and-nostalgia-in-early-modern-britain
7 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
Natalie M. Smith
6 months ago
Yesterday, I was invited to share my research on the use of Swedish, Finnish and SĂĄmi Narratives in legitimising imperial expansion in the work of 17th century historians with Svenska Barockakademien at the swedish national museum. Thank you for the invite and the engaging discussion!
#Skystorians
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Is the cost of living crisis making you nostalgic for the good old days? Then it's time to revisit this post by
@jamesafox.bsky.social
#Skystorians
#UKhist
#tbt
scilicet.org.uk/inflation-an...
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Inflation and nostalgia in early modern Britain | Scilicet
In the past, as today, cost of living crises made people nostalgic for the good old days.
https://scilicet.org.uk/inflation-and-nostalgia-in-early-modern-britain
7 months ago
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Did a stolen bucket really start a war in medieval Italy?đȘŁ Find out in latest post by
@guyfassler.bsky.social
, which explores what the war of the bucket can tell us about popular historical narratives
#SkyStorians
#PublicHistory
#MedievalHistory
#Italianhistory
#Italy
scilicet.org.uk/how-did-a-co...
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How did a comedic poem turn the battle of Zappolino into the âwar of the bucketâ? | Scilicet
You are more likely to have heard about the 'war of the bucket' than the battle of Zappolino, but why? Did a stolen bucket really start a war in medieval Italy (no.) and what can we learn from this ab...
https://scilicet.org.uk/how-did-a-comedic-poem-turn-the-battle-of-zappolino-into-the-war-of-the-bucket
7 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
Natalie M. Smith
7 months ago
Very excited to share that I have been awarded one of the 2024 Rettig Fellowships by Kungl. Vitterhetsakademien and RiksantikvarieÀmbetet for my project "Territorialising the Nation: Conceptualising the Landscape in Early Modern Swedish Travel Writing"
#Skystorians
www.raa.se/2025/02/host...
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Höstens Rettigstipendiater Àr utsedda
Kungl. Vitterhetsakademien har beslutat vilka tvÄ forskare som blir Rettigstipendiater för hösten 2025. Stipendierna pÄ 100 000 kr gÄr den hÀr gÄngen till tvÄ h
https://www.raa.se/2025/02/hostens-rettigstipendiater-ar-utsedda/
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Scilicet
Looking for love this
#ValentinesDay
? In our latest post,
@jamesafox.bsky.social
explores how to find it the
#EarlyModern
way, using magical rituals
#UKHist
#Skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/send-my-love...
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âSend my Love to me this nightâ: how to find love the early modern way | Scilicet
What magical rituals did people in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Britain perform to discover the identity of future romantic partners?
https://scilicet.org.uk/send-my-love-to-me-this-night-how-to-find-love-the-early-modern-way
7 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
James Fox
7 months ago
This was such an enjoyable find in
@wellcomecollection.bsky.social
EPB/A/28751 (very helpfully available digitally)- an ideal candidate for a
#ValentinesDay
blog post
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Looking for love this
#ValentinesDay
? In our latest post,
@jamesafox.bsky.social
explores how to find it the
#EarlyModern
way, using magical rituals
#UKHist
#Skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/send-my-love...
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âSend my Love to me this nightâ: how to find love the early modern way | Scilicet
What magical rituals did people in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Britain perform to discover the identity of future romantic partners?
https://scilicet.org.uk/send-my-love-to-me-this-night-how-to-find-love-the-early-modern-way
7 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
A court case from 14th C. Bologna raises interesting questions about truths and gossip in the medieval courtroom âïž How could the concept of hearsay be weaponised by accusers and defendants?
@guyfassler.bsky.social
tells us more
#Skystorians
#MedievalSky
#Italy
scilicet.org.uk/truths-and-a...
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Truths and alternative truths: Hearsay and gossip in the medieval court | Scilicet
A court case from fourteenth-century Bologna raises interesting questions about truths and gossip in the medieval courtroom, and how the concept of hearsay could be weaponised by accusers and defendan...
https://scilicet.org.uk/truths-and-alternative-truths-hearsay-and-gossip-in-the-medieval-court
10 months ago
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Scilicet
Scilicet's own
@jamesafox.bsky.social
has published an article in
@smithsonianmag.bsky.social
- check it out here
add a skeleton here at some point
9 months ago
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reposted by
Scilicet
James Fox
8 months ago
In celebration of Burns Night, my latest for the
@howtobooks.bsky.social
blog is on the long history of haggis recipes in print!
howtobook.hypotheses.org/2962
#bookhistory
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Haggis: a how-to staple
ââŠoat-meale mixed with blood, and the Liver of either Sheepe, Calfe or Swine, maketh that pudding which is called the Haggas or Haggus, of whose goodnesse it is in vaine to boast, because there is har...
https://howtobook.hypotheses.org/2962
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