Found a copy of my book on the Hospitallers at the American Book Center in Amsterdam. Now signed!

This poor lion looks like a toddler that's just been denied an ice cream. St Bavo's church, Haarlem.

Excited to preview an upcoming article where multi-spectral imaging of a manuscript almost destroyed by fire 300 years ago has uncovered the first medieval description of the Wild Haggis: wp.ufpel.edu.br/poiema/wild-... #medievalsky

Inspired by a discussion of Tolkien and making medieval fantasy more “realistic,” Liz Bourke (@hawkwinglb.bsky.social) tackles the question of what Aragorn's tax policy would look like—and why such a thing wouldn't really be possible in a place like Middle-earth. reactormag.com/aragorns-tax...

If Project Hail Mary followed the academic job market: "So when did you viva? And you left academia? Not in industry? Any REFable publications? Sorry, we'll get someone else."

Someone drew a little bird in a hat in this 16th century Welsh manuscript of regulations for bards. British Library, Add MS 19711.

From the country that had a 15th century law that begins "Regarding the burning of heretics". And the first judicial execution by burning in England for religious reasons was of a Jewish man in the thirteenth century.

Looking forward to listening to this. I've been surprised to find that a lot of Valencians don't see El Cid as that important a part of their story, as he has this great reputation in the Anglosphere, but instead focus on Jaume I of Aragon as their real founding figure.

You can almost hear the crotchety voice of this retired WWI general in his volunteer form to help with evacuating London in 1939. "Previous experience: ??? - see books of reference Available now for voluntary social work if required? I don't know what social work means"

Does anyone know of any outlets that publish short satirical/parody writing about history? #skystorians

Surprised to see an association in 1792 against Levellers. Had this become a go-to insult of supporters of the French Revolution? It feels like medieval churchmen referring to contemporary heresies with the names of Roman-era sects that had died out centuries earlier #skystorians

Public talk: “In the Shadow of the Tower - The Jews of Medieval London,” by Dr. Rory MacLellan. Thursday, May 21, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, at the London Archives. #jewishstudies mjsnow.hypotheses.org/20711

Tickets going fast for my talk at The London Archives on the Jews of medieval London and their role in the 1267 siege of the Tower. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunchtime-...

An introduction to the inclusive histories project I joined in December, working on the medieval topics. Excited for when the site goes live.

Which "Christian heritage" though?

A monster emerges from a coffin to attack someone in this Welsh translation of the Travels of John de Mandeville. #marginaliamonday

They're only 900 years late. I think the first post-Conquest royal to be imprisoned was probably Robert of Normandy in 1106?

📅 #onthisday 15 Feb 1113: The Knights Hospitaller were founded by papal bull in Jerusalem, they began as carers — and became one of history’s most successful orders. @rorymaclellan.bsky.social explains why. 🎧 Listen 👉 pod.fo/e/37b7e4#onthisday #otd #onthisdate #history #podcast ⚔️🏥

Still my favourite piece of marginalia. BL, Cotton MS Vespasian B XIV. #medievalsky

The Church of England is developing a reparative justice scheme in recognition of its complicity in trans-Atlantic slavery. Project Spire has been attacked in Parliament and the right wing press with claims of flawed historical research. What’s the truth? alanlester.co.uk/blog/the-arg...

Have you enjoyed this week’s episode? 🎧✨ Support the author, and me 📚❤️ by buying a copy of "Warrior Monks" by @rorymaclellan.bsky.social through the History Rage Bookshop! 📖 Buy the book: uk.bookshop.org/a/10... 🎧 Listen now : pod.fo/e/37b7e4 #History #Knights #Hospitallers #Templars

Listen to Robert Burns, "A Man's A Man For A' That" #poetry #Scots #Scotland #BurnsNight youtu.be/hudNoXsUj0o?...

It was great speaking to @mattlewishistory.bsky.social about my book on the Knights Hospitaller in Britain and their part in everything from the earliest witch trials to the Wars of the Roses #medievalsky shows.acast.com/gone-medieva...

🚨 NEW EPISODE🚨 Think you know medieval history? Think again! @rorymaclellan.bsky.social shines a light on the Knights Hospitaller, revealing how they outlasted the Templars and shaped politics for centuries. 🎧 Full episode 👉 pod.fo/e/37b7e4 #History #Hospitallers #Medieval #Podcast

🚨 NEXT WEEK🚨 Ready to ditch the Templars? ⚔️ @rorymaclellan.bsky.social argues the Knights Hospitaller were the true heroes of the medieval world. From military force to political powerbrokers, their story is wilder than you think. #HistoryRage #KnightsHospitaller #MedievalHistory #Podcast

7 years since a new 'military order' took issue with my article on them. I think they missed my followup article talking about their hilarious novel which has electronic trebuchets, a green ghost sent by God to kill Pope Francis, and the author writing himself in as the heir to Charlemagne.

The Iron Cross-like logo definitely feels like a crusader reference, probably to the Teutonic Knights, which is odd as the UK far-right hasn't engaged with them that much. Normally their past appropriation by the Nazis was a step too far.

Starring the Domesday Book's best names: Humphrey aurei testiculi (of the Golden-testicle) and Alfred Caddebelloc (Testicle-testicle)

In the archives for my new postdoc on inclusive histories at Royal Holloway. Working on John and Magna Carta currently. Found a charter of Stephen Langton that he rather passive aggressively dated as 'the second year after the end of the interdict' (which John caused by opposing Langton).

One of the key figures in the Department of Manuscripts' history. Can't imagine he'd be pleased to know that the BL today has a room named after his nemesis Panizzi but not after him.

The tomb of Bernat Despuig (d. 1537), 12th master of the Knights of Montessa. Now in the Església del Templo in València.

Taxidermied head of the owner's pet dog in a box at the entrance to the archive.

In the old Department of Manuscripts archive there's a moving set of letters from the father of one of the men here, A. C. Stewart, recounting his death in battle in April 1918, just a few months after he wrote to his colleagues to say he was sure the war would be over soon.

British Library staff asked for a decent pay. Instead they got ‘a few money-saving present ideas’, such as ‘consider not giving presents this holiday season’. They are on strike this week. I wrote about it for @lrb.co.uk. www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...

There is an AI Christmas mural in Kingston filled with horrors to rival Bosch or Dr Moreau. The chicken-dog is my favourite.

Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library (edited transcript of a speech given on the picket line outside the British Library on Friday 7th November) Zadie Smith’s script should be archived @britishlibrary.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Check out the first episode of Talking Templars with Steve Tibble and Tony McMahon www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGhC... #medieval #medievalsky

Wish I had a photo of the graffiti in my old PhD office of St Hippo of Augustine, a hippo in a mitre

🚨 NEXT WEEK🚨 Discover the hidden truths behind one of the most iconic images in Christian art! Join us as historian @drfaithtibble.bsky.social reveals the real story of the crown of thorns, its cultural significance, and how history shapes our understanding of art.

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 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.

"You encounter a strange, cult-like group that lives in almost total isolation from the outside world. They jealously guard their arcane knowledge and practice some exceedingly cruel rituals."

🚨 PATREON & APPLE! 🚨 Think you know the Knights Hospitaller? 🤔 They're more than just Crusades warriors! @rorymaclellan.bsky.social explains how these warrior monks evolved far beyond their original purpose, becoming a force of incredible influence. Listen now 🎧 www.patreon.com/post...

🚨 PATREON & APPLE! 🚨 The Knights Hospitaller were more than just Crusader warriors—they were master politicians entangled in civil wars and assassination plots! 👑 Historian @rorymaclellan.bsky.social reveals their shocking political history Listen now 🎧 www.patreon.com/post...

British Library workers are sick of poor pay, overwork, and feeling the fallout of a cyber-attack which left them vulnerable to identity theft and blackmail. Now, they are going on strike for a fortnight. tribunemag.co.uk/2025/10/from...

🚨 NEW for subscribers! Forget the Templars myth—learn the real story of the enduring Knights Hospitaller with @rorymaclellan.bsky.social ⚔️ These warrior monks lasted almost 600 years! Listen now 🎧 www.patreon.com/post...

🚨 TOMORROW FOR SUBSCRIBERS🚨 The Knights Hospitaller were more than just crusaders! They were a military force, a financial powerhouse, and masters of political intrigue. 👑 @rorymaclellan.bsky.social exposes the real story. Subscribe: www.patreon.com/historyrage Or join on Apple subscriptions