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

🚨NEXT WEEK FOR SUBSCRIBERS🚨 Ready to ditch the Templars? ⚔️ @rorymaclellan.bsky.social argues the Knights Hospitaller were the true heroes of the medieval world. Their story is wilder than you think Get this early release at: www.patreon.com/historyrage Or join on Apple subscriptions #Medieval

Worked as the historical advisor on this and the rest of the St Wilfrid's project. Was great to see the CGI recreation of the village as it looked like when the Hospitallers were there

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

My forthcoming book "The Crusader Storm" (scheduled for publication in June 2026) has been selected for a 25% pre-order discount on the Waterstones website/app. If you're interested enter OCTOBER25 at the checkout Offer ends 17 October www.waterstones.com/book/the-cru...

On 24th November I'll be giving a free talk in central London on the English Hospitallers in the countryside and all the feuds and fights they got into. #medievalsky www.orderofmalta.co.uk/events/chapt...

...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.

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

New arrival... "Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Medieval Britain" Author: Rory MacLellan Publisher: The History Press Rory's last book was excellent so I'm looking forward to getting started!

13th century seal showing a hand holding a sprig of foliage. LFC Ch XXVII 15. #medievalsky

*Call for Contributors* The Medieval in Museums @archumanities.bsky.social Check out the full CfP via link ➡️ bit.ly/CfPMiM Welcoming chapters/dialogues/critical-creative texts from scholars, museum professionals, creative practitioners deadline: Mon 3 Nov (5pm GMT) #MedievalSky #MuseumSky #CfP

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.

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

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

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.

One week until publication of my book on the Knights Hospitaller in Britain and Ireland! #medievalsky

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.

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

Seal with a ship with furled sails. LFC Ch XXV 16. #medievalsky

Another great medieval name: Dudeman. LFC Ch XXV 1. #medievalsky

@medievaljews.bsky.social and I were quoted in The Times last week about a project we've been helping on to commemorate London's medieval Jewish cemetery. A free exhibition on the site is now at St Giles Cripplegate church until 16 September. #medievalsky www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...

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

'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

A calculation for the date of Easter which 'never fails, either in a leap year or out of a leap year'. LFC Roll XX 4.

French copy of the Sortes Sanctorum, a text with prophecies for every possible roll of 3 dice predictions. If you roll a 6, 3, 3, for example, the highlighted entry below, this means 'regarding the thing that you thought about before, you shall have great glory'. LFC Roll XXI 2. #medievalsky

Author copies! My book on the Knights Hospitaller and their part in medieval Britain's wars, politics, and intrigue will be out on 25 September. #medievalsky

1/20 A thread about the appearance of the ‘Papal Banner’ in episode seven of #KingandConqueror. In an article that was published in 2021 in the @haskinssociety.bsky.social Journal, I expressed some scepticism about the veracity of William of Poitiers’ claim that the papacy sponsored the Norman...

Edmund Crouchback in a 15th century Lancastrian genealogical roll, here depicted as disabled, in line with a Lancastrian myth that he was Henry III's eldest son, passed over in favour of Edward I because of his supposed disabilities. LFC Roll XXVIII 11. #medievalsky

A roll from Bury St Edmunds Abbey with a list of the foundations of different religious orders. Oddly the Templars aren't there and the Hospitallers were added later, but the Teutonic Order and the Knights of Santiago and Calatrava were included. LFC Roll XXI 1. #medievalsky