This means that until 5 May, you can get my book, ‘Rewriting the Past in Scottish Literature, 1350-1550’, for under £40

2 books on a windowsill. Volume 1 (parts 1 & 2) of the History of the Book in Scotland.

Phot of first page of chapter in History of the Book in Scotland vol. 1: Kate Ash-Irisarri, ‘The Manuscripts of Walter Bower’s Scotichronicon’.

So pleased to see this out in the world! 2 volumes, over 60 contributors (incl. a small one by me) - a huge achievement for the four editors congratulations to @ilikeoldbooks.bsky.social et al for getting this over the line!

One of my favourite places.

This looks wonderful, Peter!

7 cupcakes with Easter chicks and bunnies decorations in front of a copy of John Anderson’s edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

The Middle English Reading Group finished Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. We started in September 2025, reading for an hour a week during the semesters. So proud of all the MERGers who stuck with it & were surprised at the appropriate places! Celebratory cake in order.

Yes, I got that email too!

Haven’t heard anything, though I’d assumed they both arrive together. That was clearly silly of me!

Also looking forward to part 2 arriving!

Three fabric bags with tops shaped like bunny ears sit on a shelf in front of old books

Had dinner with some lovely colleagues yesterday, so I took along Easter treats to celebrate. How cute are these ‘bunnies’?!

Hurrah!

One of my favourites! Have spent a lot of time thinking and writing about this.

Pencil sketches of medieval-style letters decorated with foliage and checkerboard patterns.

Some sketching practise this week. I had some time to grab a cuppa while waiting for the little apprentice, so kept myself busy.

Magnusson Prize - Scottish Society for Northern Studies

Forthcoming deadline (1 April) for the Magnusson essay prize for students and early career scholars in the fields of Northern Studies (broadly defined) www.ssns.org.uk/magnusson-pr...

Thank you

Thank you. The good news isn’t mine but I shall pass on the well wishes.

Two cupcakes with floral wrappers on a bookshelf beside a small bottle of prosecco.

Cake with two candles (44) lit

Birthday and other good news celebrations today. #tinyjoys that are not so tiny

2026 Lecture by Robert P. Irvine We are delighted to announce details of the 2026 Annual Lecture, to be delivered by Dr Robert P. Irvine. Making ourselves well at home now, the event will take place again at the Wellwood Burns Cen…

John Galt & Scotland’s Forgotten Revolution
1 May, Irvine – £10

Dr Robert P. Irvine @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social will deliver this year’s John Galt Society lecture on “John Galt & Scotland’s Forgotten Revolution”. There will also be a buffet supper & drinks
thejohngaltsociety.com/2026/03/19/2...

Librarian at Lincoln Cathedral Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...

Job opportunity with manuscripts and early printed books!

Librarian at Lincoln Cathedral – Cathedral Library
£43,722 - Full time
applicaiton DL: 14 April 2026

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQX901/l...

From what I understand from the course I’m taking, it’s based (or certainly the colour combination is) on the Göttingen model book

Thank you. That’s very kind

Belated happy birthday!

Picture of four medieval-style tendrils following the process of building up paint colours. From top to bottom: First tendril is painted pink, the second fills in green in the middle. The third includes shadows and the fourth is the finished tendril with highlights.

Pretty pleased with this as a first attempt. Have given myself many notes, not least practising a steady hand with a very fine brush

Covers of shortlisted books, titles on the link

The 2026 James Tait Black Prize shortlists spotlight some of the most exciting work being published today: james-tait-black.ed.ac.uk/indie-talent...

I'm looking forward to speaking as part of A Decade of Dangerous Women tomorrow. I might even take my Dangerous Women mug along with me.

I am very much looking forward to seeing this.

Well, this looks fabulous…

Thank you

That’s very kind; thank you! It’s about 30 years ago since I last did ‘art’ of any kind.

Gothic uncial letter A, blue on a red background. The letter is decorated with white circles and the background with gold stars.

And it’s finished. There are now many, many things I need to practise but I’m pretty pleased with this as a first go.

Medieval letter ‘A’ in blue on a red background. The letter is decorated with circles.

Adding some further detail. Lesson of the day: need to practise fine lines with a steady hand.