A rare medieval coin which was unearthed by an amateur detectorist is to go on show to mark the King’s coronation. The silver penny, which depicts Malcolm IV of Scotland, is to be exhibited in Dunfermline, which was granted city status by Charles last year. The 12th century coin is being displayed near the historic Abbey where Malcolm is buried, and where Dunfermline’s … [Read more...] about Rare coin unearthed by detectorist to go on show to mark Charles coronation
Medieval British History
New stamps issued to celebrate story of Robin Hood
A set of new stamps is being issued celebrating the story of Robin Hood. The 10 stamps show key moments in the legend of the outlaw, such as robbing the rich, capturing the sheriff and marrying Maid Marian. Other characters depicted on the stamps include Friar Tuck, Little John and King Richard. The illustrations were created by concept artist Jon McCoy, who has worked … [Read more...] about New stamps issued to celebrate story of Robin Hood
Important royal court of the princes of Gwynedd acquired by Cadw in Wales
An important court of the medieval princes of Gwynedd, who ruled Wales after the Romans, has been acquired by Cadw. Llys Rhosyr, situated near Newborough, Anglesey, is the only court of the Welsh Princes in Wales with visible remains that can be visited by the public. It is also the only undefended Court, or Llys, of the Welsh princes that has been confirmed through … [Read more...] about Important royal court of the princes of Gwynedd acquired by Cadw in Wales
New photos of the Declaration of Arbroath published ahead of it going on display
New photographs of the Declaration of Arbroath have been published by the National Records of Scotland to mark its 703rd anniversary. The never-before-seen photos have been made available, ahead of the famous document going on display later this year. It will be displayed for the first time in 18 years from June 3 to July 2 at the National Museum of Scotland in … [Read more...] about New photos of the Declaration of Arbroath published ahead of it going on display
Declaration of Arbroath to go on display for first time in 18 years
A 700-year-old document that played a key role in the history of Scottish independence will go on display this summer for the first time in almost two decades. The Declaration of Arbroath will be shown at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the public to view from June 3 to July 2. The fragile document is a letter dated from April 6 1320 written by the barons … [Read more...] about Declaration of Arbroath to go on display for first time in 18 years
Oldest prayer beads found in Britain to go on display at Lindisfarne Priory
Britain’s earliest known prayer beads will go on display at the refurbished museum at Lindisfarne Priory this weekend. The necklace, dating from between the 8th and 9th century and made from salmon vertebrae, was recently found on a skeleton on Holy Island in Northumberland. It will be exhibited along with an Anglo-Saxon glass gaming counter and 21 unique name stones – … [Read more...] about Oldest prayer beads found in Britain to go on display at Lindisfarne Priory
Car park where Richard III’s body found to be auctioned
The car park where the skeleton of Richard III was discovered in 2012 is to be auctioned off. The Grey Friars car park in Leicester city center will be sold along with adjacent buildings, 1-7 Grey Friars, with a guide price of £4-£4.1 million. The spot where the bones of the monarch were discovered forms part of a visitor center but the rest will be auctioned on February … [Read more...] about Car park where Richard III’s body found to be auctioned
Study finds first solid scientific evidence Vikings brought animals to Britain
The first solid scientific evidence that Vikings brought dogs and horses to Britain has been discovered by archaeologists. Research led by Durham University, and the Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium, looked at human and animal remains from Britain’s only known Viking cremation cemetery at Heath Wood in Derbyshire. Scientists found that within the context of the … [Read more...] about Study finds first solid scientific evidence Vikings brought animals to Britain
1,300-year-old necklace among treasures found buried at housing development site
A 1,300-year-old necklace, discovered on the site of a new housing development, was buried in the grave of a woman who may have been royalty or a powerful Christian leader, archaeologists have said.The centuries-old treasure was found during excavations in April ahead of construction starting on a new housing development in Northamptonshire. Experts from the Museum of London … [Read more...] about 1,300-year-old necklace among treasures found buried at housing development site
Museum acquires 700AD gold sword pommel worth £30,000 found in Scotland
An “exceptionally rare” solid-gold sword pommel discovered by a metal detectorist and which dates back to the early medieval period has come into the ownership of Scotland’s national museums. The impressive find was located near Blair Drummond, Stirling, and is believed to date back to 700AD. Measuring 5.5cm wide and weighing 25g, the golden knob is valued at … [Read more...] about Museum acquires 700AD gold sword pommel worth £30,000 found in Scotland
DNA from skeletons ‘challenges perceptions and understanding of ancient England’
Ancient DNA extracted from skeletons in burial sites across England shows evidence of mass migration from Europe and movement of people from as far as West Africa, challenging perceptions that English ancestors lived in small elite groups, archaeologists have said. Research recently published by the team revealed the first people to call themselves English were largely … [Read more...] about DNA from skeletons ‘challenges perceptions and understanding of ancient England’
Steve Coogan Talks about The Lost King and Modern Monarchy
Steve Coogan admitted he is “not a monarchist” but had an enormous respect for the late Queen after recently taking on multiple royal-related projects. The actor and comedian’s upcoming comedy-drama film, The Lost King, tells a fictionalized version of King Richard III’s remains beneath a Leicester car park in 2012, and is set for release next month. But he has already set … [Read more...] about Steve Coogan Talks about The Lost King and Modern Monarchy
Cornish castle linked to King Arthur at risk from rising sea levels
A Cornish castle immortalized in British mythology as the place of King Arthur’s conception is at risk of tumbling into the sea as climate change increases the pace of coastal erosion. Tintagel Castle is one of several sites at risk of being lost forever, English Heritage has warned, as rising seas pound the coastline. The heritage body described the rate of land lost … [Read more...] about Cornish castle linked to King Arthur at risk from rising sea levels
Ten Interesting Facts about King Henry VI
Any performer will tell you that it’s hard to follow a great act. Such was the case of King Henry VI, the only son of King Henry V. While Henry was a greater warrior and leader, his son was…decidedly not. During his reign, Henry was able to become king of both England and France and then lose both of them before it was over. And well before King George III, Henry VI was … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about King Henry VI
Medieval friars were ‘riddled with parasites,’ study suggests
Medieval friars were “riddled with parasites,” new research suggests. An analysis of remains from Cambridge suggests local Augustinian friars were almost twice as likely as the city’s general population to be infected by intestinal parasites. This is despite most Augustinian monasteries at the time having toilet blocks and hand-washing facilities, unlike the homes of … [Read more...] about Medieval friars were ‘riddled with parasites,’ study suggests
Medieval shipwreck found in Dorset waters given protected status
A medieval shipwreck lying off the coast of Dorset has been granted the highest level of legal protection to preserve it for future generations. Known as the “Mortar wreck,” the 13th-century vessel was discovered in the waters of Poole Bay in 2020 by local diver Trevor Small and is the oldest known wreck where the remains of the hull are still visible. It was given … [Read more...] about Medieval shipwreck found in Dorset waters given protected status
In Pictures: Brave knights battle it out at jousting tournament in Scotland
The thunder of hooves and the clash of lances echoed around West Lothian as heroic knights battled it out at an annual tournament. Four champions took to the arena to provide an exhibition of exhilarating horsemanship in the Spectacular Jousting event at Linlithgow Palace. (Jane Barlow/PA) The contestants arrived on the battlefield in a colourful display of medieval … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Brave knights battle it out at jousting tournament in Scotland
Silver casket Mary, Queen of Scots was thought to own acquired for nation
An “extraordinary” silver casket believed to have been owned by Mary, Queen of Scots has been acquired for the nation. It is thought the small box was given to Mary by her first husband, Francois II of France, and came to Scotland with her in 1561 after his death in 1560. The casket has now been acquired by National Museums Scotland (NMS) from Lennoxlove House Ltd, its owner … [Read more...] about Silver casket Mary, Queen of Scots was thought to own acquired for nation
A Brief History of Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
Lindisfarne has had a long and interesting history in the religious life of the United Kingdom. Dating back as far as the Sixth Century, it was long home to religious orders but also to local residents (who are known as “Islanders”). Even after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Lindisfarne has seen many important events and has provided an important service to … [Read more...] about A Brief History of Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
Gold ring linked to Sheriff of Nottingham due up for auction
A gold signet ring linked to the Sheriff of Nottingham is going under the hammer, with an estimate topping £8,000. The 350-year-old high-carat ring bears the coat of arms of the Jenison family, one of whom held the title in the 1680s – a little too late to have tangled with the legendary Robin Hood. Auctioneers at Hansons are offering the item for sale on Thursday after … [Read more...] about Gold ring linked to Sheriff of Nottingham due up for auction
Most English medieval fiction has been lost, research suggests
The Knights Of The Round Table might be known to many people across the world, but most medieval English heroic or chivalric stories have been lost, new research suggests. Meanwhile, more than three-quarters of medieval stories in Icelandic and Irish have survived, in an unusual pattern indicating that the nature of islands may have helped preserve culture. One possible … [Read more...] about Most English medieval fiction has been lost, research suggests
Bayeux Tapestry replica challenge giving grey hairs to primary school teacher painstakingly recreating iconic tapestry
A trained primary school teacher said that copying mistakes in the Bayeux Tapestry is going to “turn her hair grey,” almost six years into a project to stitch a full-size replica of the medieval original. Mia Hansson said she passed the halfway mark in January of this year, having crafted 34.2 meters (112 feet) of the 68.38 metres (224 feet) artwork. The 47-year-old works … [Read more...] about Bayeux Tapestry replica challenge giving grey hairs to primary school teacher painstakingly recreating iconic tapestry
Genetic marker carried by relatives of Robert the Bruce is identified
Scientists have found a distinct genetic marker carried by close relatives of Robert the Bruce, the king who freed Scotland from English rule. Genealogy researchers from the University of Strathclyde have found the marker in male line descendants of the Bruces of Clackmannan, who were related to Robert the Bruce, King of Scots from 1306 to 1329. Rollo Bruce, a retired … [Read more...] about Genetic marker carried by relatives of Robert the Bruce is identified
Medieval warhorses no bigger than modern-day ponies, research finds
The image of the medieval warhorse as a giant snorting, stamping beast is a myth, according to new research, with many mounts of the era no bigger than modern-day ponies. The chargers of English knights were often below 14.2 hands, which would see them classed as ponies today. A hand is four inches and is a measurement specific to horses, and measures their height from the … [Read more...] about Medieval warhorses no bigger than modern-day ponies, research finds
Miniature castle built by soldier who inspired Shakespeare character saved
A miniature castle built by a soldier who inspired a character in William Shakespeare’s plays has been saved from collapse. Sir John Fastolf was immortalized in caricature by Shakespeare as the cowardly knight Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV parts one and two and in The Merry Wives Of Windsor. The real Fastolf served three English Kings – Henry IV, V, and VI – and fought in the … [Read more...] about Miniature castle built by soldier who inspired Shakespeare character saved
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