#OnThisDay: The reign of Edward the Martyr began 8 July 975. Pictured is a complete silver penny of Edward the Martyr (975-978), minted by Ælfstan at Canterbury, c. 975-978. PAS Record here: buff.ly/3qRFmZ0 (Image: Portable Antiquities Scheme CC BY SA 2.0).

Two recent medieval news stories you may have missed! A hiker discovers 6th century gold scabbard under fallen tree: tinyurl.com/socmedarch101 Then, two Anglo-Saxon houses unearthed during Newark bypass excavation: tinyurl.com/socmedarch102

#OnThisDay: Edward I died on 7 July 1307. He was making his way north to fight Robert the Bruce when he contracted dysentry & died in the arms of his servants as they lifted him to eat his breakfast. Pictured is his tomb in Westminster Abbey. (Image: VCR Giulio19 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

#OnThisDay: On 5 July 2009, the Staffordshire Hoard was discovered. It is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork yet found, containing almost 4600 items. (Image: David Rowan, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery via Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 2.0).

#OnThisDay: The St. Ninian's Isle Treasure was discovered on 4 July 1958. This 28-piece hoard contains some of the best silverwork from the early medieval ever found in Scotland. (Image: National Museums Scotland, via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Hattin took place 4 July 1187. The forces of Saladin decisively defeated the Crusader army, removing their capability to wage war. The Battle is pictured here in the Chronica Majora (Image: Parker Library, Cambridge, MS 26, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: York Minster was consecrated on 3 July 1472, although it was first founded in 627. This photo shows the fine Gothic architecture of the cathedral's twin towers (Image: Peter K Burian via Wiki Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay: The reign of Richard III began on 26 June 1483. Here is a 16th century portrait of Richard III from the Royal Collection. (British School, Royal Collection, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Fontenoy took place 25 June 841. It was the decisive battle of the Carolingian Civil War for the inherited territories of Louis the Pious. Pictured is the obelisk commemorating the battle (Image by jnn95 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 3.0).

More medieval news! First, excavation unearths earliest building in Weymouth town: tinyurl.com/socmedarch99 And a ship burial in Norway that predates the Viking Age: tinyurl.com/socmedarch100

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Sluys took place on 24 June 1340. The battle was one of the opening engagements of the Hundred Years War and a win for England. This gold noble from 1354 commemorates the battle. (Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. via Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 3.0).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Bannockburn began on 23 June 1314. This 1440s manuscript of Walter Bower's Scotichronicon is the earliest known depiction of the battle. (Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, CCCC MS 171A, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

The latest volume of our journal 'Medieval Archaeology' is out now. Members can access the journal online and should receive print copies shortly.Visit: tinyurl.com/socmedarch115 (you will need to be a Member of the Society to access the full volume).

#OnThisDay: The reign of Richard II begins on 21 June 1377. This depiction of his coronation at the age of ten is from the "Recueil des croniques" of Jean de Wavrin (British Library, Royal 14 E IV f. 10, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: The Black Death arrives in England around 18 June 1348 (though it was probably much earlier). This is one of the earliest known images of the plague showing people carrying coffins of those who died of the illness in Tournai. (Pierart dou Tielt, 1349, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

We are delighted to announce that booking for our 2026 Conference at the Guildhall in York is now open! Join us on Saturday 19th September for a jam-packed programme of all things heritage science. 🔗 Follow link for more details and grab your tickets today!

Two medieval news stories for you! First, an Anglo-Saxon ‘Woden ring’ to go on display in Essex: tinyurl.com/socmedarch97 The ring is recorded as ESS-2E1CD2 on the PAS database. Then, staying with the Saxons, a 9th century belt strap end discovered at Halesworth excavation: tinyurl.com/socmedarch98

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Stoke Field took place on 16 June 1487. It was the final battle of the Wars of the Roses and was a decisive victory for Henry VII as almost all of the leading Yorkists were killed. Illustration of the battle by Henry Marriott Paget (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: Magna Carta was agreed at Runnymede on 15 June 1215. Four copies of the original charter have survived, including this one in The British Library collections. (Image: British Library, Cotton MS Augustus II.106, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, died on 12 June 918. Pictured is the statue erected to commemorate 1,100 years since her death in Tamworth. Her spear points visitors towards the town centre and Tamworth Castle (image: Annatoone via Wiki Commons, CC BY SA 4.0).

Two medieval news stories! First, medieval industry revealed at Finchingfield: tinyurl.com/socmedarch94 And the remains of an ancient Christian monastery discovered near Cartagena: tinyurl.com/socmedarch96

The reign of Edward the Confessor begins #OnThisDay in 1042. He is depicted here, enthroned, on the opening scene of the Bayeux Tapestry. The term 'Confessor' reflects his reputation as a saint who didn't suffer martyrdom (Image: Myrabella via Wiki Commons CC-BY). 8 June 1042.

Robert I (Robert the Bruce) died #OnThisDay in 1329. The cause of his death remains unclear, with suggestions ranging from leprosy to eating too many eels! He is buried in Dunfermline Abbey (pictured). (Image: Andy Stephenson via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0) 7 June 1329.

#OnThisDay in 793 Danish Vikings attacked Lindisfarne, destroying the church and killing many monks. A Christian community did survive the attacked and recorded the event on the Domesday Stone (pictured) which is on display in Lindsifarne Priory Museum.(Schillerwein via Wiki Commons CC0). 6 June 793

New publication! New approach reshapes our understanding of how medieval towns emerged: tinyurl.com/socmedarch109 Dr. Brandon Fathy was a speaker at our conference in Leicester last year, on this very subject. Image: contributed by Stuart Whayman - Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.

Thomas Becket was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury #OnThisDay in 1162. Thomas is pictured here enthroned as Archbishop in this Nottingham Alabaster from the collections of the V&A. (Image: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0). 3 June 1162.

More medieval news! First, a hidden wall painting in Durham Castle: tinyurl.com/socmedarch92 Then, a Viking burial with a canine companion: tinyurl.com/socmedarch93 #Medieval Image: Av Carla Brain – Durham Castle, April 2017 (14), CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

#OnThisDay in 1216 Louis 'the Lion' of France was proclaimed King of England by rebellious barons, who had seized half the kingdom from King John before his death. Miniature depicting Louis at the siege of Avignon (Image: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, MS M.536 fol. 228r ).

Margaret Beaufort was born #OnThisDay in 1443. A prominent figure in the Wars of the Roses, she worked hard to secure the throne for her son Henry VII, thus founding the Tudor dynasty. Portrait of Margaret by Meynart Weywyck. (National Portrait Gallery via Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

The trial and execution of Joan of Arc took place #OnThisDay in 1431. Here is a miniature depicting Pierre Cauchon presiding over Joan's trial from a 15th century manuscript. (Image: Bibliothèque Nationale de France via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain).

The Peasant's Revolt breaks out #OnThisDay in 1381, following the arrival of officials investigating non-payment of poll tax in Brentwood, Essex. Pictured are Peasant longbowmen at practice, from the Luttrell Psalter, c. 1320–1340. (British Library, Add MS 42130, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

The Siege of Constantinople took place #OnThisDay in 1453. This illustration of the siege by Fr Jean Le Tavernier accompanies a translation by Jean Miélot of Bertrandon de la Broquière's Voyage d'Outre-Mer (Image: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, MSS fr. 9087, at folio 207 vv).

Two medieval news stories for you! First, DNA reveals a rare Anglo-Saxon sibling burial: tinyurl.com/socmedarch110 Then, 573 intact Ancient Rus’ glass bracelets unearthed in Apostolshchyna, Ukraine: tinyurl.com/socmedarch112

The death of Bede happened #OnThisDay in 735. Bede was a monk, historian and scholar whose "Historia eclesiastica gentis Anglorum" provides valuable insight into early medieval England. Pictured here is his tomb in Durham Cathedral (Image: Neil Theasby via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 2.0).

#OnThisDay in 946 the reign of Eadred begins. Eadred is pictured here in the early 14th-century Genealogical Roll of the Kings of England (Image: British Library Royal MS 14 B VI, Public Domain).

The reign of Malcolm IV of Soctland (Máel Coluim mac Eanric) begins #OnThisDay in 1153. Malcolm is depicted here in the 12th century charter for Kelso Abbey. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain).

The Bedale Hoard was discovered #OnThisDay in 2012. Dating to the late 9th/early 10th century, the hoard contained 48 items of silver and gold, including ingots, neck rings and a beautiful sword pommel inlaid with gold foil (pictured), (Image: York Museums Trust CC BY-SA 4.0).

The Wars of the Roses began #OnThisDay in 1455. This stained glass window from St. James' Church, Sutton Cheney, depicts the final rivals of this 32-year battle for the throne of England: Richard III & Henry Tudor (VII). (Credit: John Taylor via Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 2.0).

Two medieval news stories for you! First, a 10th century hoard reveals international trade links: tinyurl.com/socmedarch90 And Middle Littleton Barn reopens to visitors: tinyurl.com/socmedarch91 (Image credit: Google Maps).

The Second Battle of Lincoln took place #OnThisDay in 1217, during the First Baron's War. The spree of looting that followed became known as the "Lincoln Fair". 13th century depiction of the battle by Matthew Paris (Parker Library, Corpus Christi College Cambridge, folio 51v (55v)).

#OnThisDay in 1152 Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II, marking the start of a sometimes tumultuous union. The power couple are shown here in a 14th century manuscript from the British Library. Image: British Library, Royal 16 G VI f. 343v.

The Cuerdale Hoard was discovered #OnThisDay in 1840. The hoard is one of the largest Viking hoards yet discovered in Britain, with over 8600 items of silver stashed in a lead box. Image of the hoard on display at The British Museum (Image: Jmiall via Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).

William Walcher (the first Prince-Bishop of Durham) was murdered #OnThisDay in 1080. In retaliation, William I sent an army to brutally harry the north for a second time. Pictured is Durham Castle, seat of the Prince Bishops until 1832. (Image: Tim Greene via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

The Battle of Lewes, part of the Second Baron's War, took place #OnThisDay in 1264. It made Simon de Montfort the "uncrowned King of England", the high point of his career. Image: the monument to the battle (Enzo Palotta via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 3.0).

More medieval news! First, lost medieval town of Dąbrówno discovered: tinyurl.com/socmedarch88 Then, a dig to discover the 13th century origins of Weymouth: tinyurl.com/socmedarch89 (Image: University of Gdansk).

Lincoln Cathedral was consecrated #OnThisDay in 1092. It is the fourth largest cathedral in the UK and holds one of the four remaining copies of the original Magna Carta. The Cathedral is pictured here viewed from Lincoln Castle. (Image: DrMoschi via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

The coronation of Edgar the Peaceful took place #OnThisDay in 973, although he had been king since October 959. He was crowned in Bath and then went to Chester where 8 Scottish kings and Welsh Princes are said to have rowed him down the River Dee. (Image of Edgar: British Library, MS Royal 14 B VI).

Tintern Abbey was founded #OnThisDay in 1131. It was the first Cistercian abbey founded in Wales. The western end of the Abbey is pictured here (Image: Martinvl via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay in 1429 Joan of Arc leads the Dauphin's armies to victory over the English forces laying siege to Orleans. Joan is pictured here in this miniature from "The Lives of Famous Women" by Jean Pichore, 1506. (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

The Battle of Edington took place #OnThisDay (somewhere between 6-12 May) in 878. An army of the kingdom of Wessex under Alfred the Great defeated the Great Heathen Army led by the Dane Guthrum. Image: memorial to the battle near Bratton Castle (Trish Steel via Wiki Commons, CC BY SA 2.0).