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*Moves to Hay-on-Wye

July 29: Feast of Óláfr (995-1030), king of Norway 1016-29, and its patron saint. Also venerated in Britain. St Olave's Church, York, probably occupies the site of Earl Siward (†1055) of Northumbria's minster church, also dedicated to Olaf, where Siward was buried. 📸Tim Green

William de St Calais, bishop of Durham, and Turgot, its prior, began to dig the foundations of a new Norman cathedral befitting the relics of Cuthbert and Bede #OTD in 1093. 📸Matt Buck

I held off watching it, for I feared it would be rubbish - but Masters of the Universe is immense fun.

Bro has the kind of tonsure that suggests he would have opposed Paschal reform at the Synod of Whitby.

Siward, earl of Northumbria’s invasion of Alba climaxed with the defeat of King Macbethad mac Findlaích (Macbeth) in battle #OTD in 1054. Macbethad survived the clash, in which the Annals of Ulster says 3,000 Scots and 1,500 English died. Siward lost his son Ásbjǫrn and nephew.

The Bodleian Library bought a supposedly 14thC gospel-book for £6 at auction at Sotheby’s #OTD in 1887. Scholar Lucy Hill, 22, found the added poem on leaf 2 echoed a tale in Turgot’s Life of St Margaret, and identified the book as that of the Scottish queen’s. 📸Bodleian Library

The excavation of Loch Glashan Crannog, Argyll, led by Jack Scott of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum began #OTD in 1960. A c.8thC bronze and amber brooch was among the items found. The site may have been a workshop serving the elite of Dál Riata. 📸Glasgow Museums

Oswulf son of Eadberht died #OTD in 759, months after succeeding his father as king of the Northumbrians. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that he was killed 'by members of his household'. Later sources give his place of death as Wicstun (Market Weighton, East Yorkshire).

July 24: Feast of Blathmac mac Flainn (†825), prior or acting abbot of Iona. He was guardian of the relics of Columba during the absence of Abbot Diarmait, and was murdered by Vikings. 📸August Schwerdfeger

The Wharton Hoard was discovered by a detectorist at Wharton, near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, #OTD in 2017. It comprises 37 copper pennies, known as stycas, from 9thC Northumbria. 📸British Museum

Corn can also mean the seeds of plants, such as wheat, oats, and barley, that can be used to produce flour.

Congratulations, Dr Thomas!

OUT NOW! Royalty and Ritual. The landscape of power in early medieval Scotland and Europe. Get a printed copy or peruse online at www.sidestone.com/books/royalt... @pictishartssociety.bsky.social @insuhi.bsky.social

An excavation at High Tarns Farm, Silloth, Cumbria, led by Grampus Heritage and Training began #OTD in 2024. Archaeologists and volunteers discovered a large hall, charcoal production pit and corn dryer, pictured, from the late Viking Age. 📸Grampus Heritage

Not at all. Everyone just does a light American accent.

He was tremendous.

I think The Odyssey is a grower. I wasn’t necessarily blown away by it yesterday but I can’t stop thinking about it today and I’m on to the book!

Paulinus was consecrated bishop by fellow Italian Justus, archbishop of Canterbury, #OTD in 625. A counsellor to Æthelburh of Kent, Paulinus played a key role in the conversion of her husband Edwin, king of the Northumbrians, who established a see for him in York. 📸Paul Lakin