Everyone has heard of a dig diary, well how about a building survey diary as Tom Addyman gives an update of his and his team's first visit to survey the inner ward of Cockermouth Castle. They've already made intriguing discoveries. Read here to learn more: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/04...
Fascinating discoveries after only their first visit to survey the inner ward of Cockermouth Castle, from Tom Addyman and team. For fans of domestic arrangements note the kitchen tower and its similarity to John Lewyn's designs at Durham and Raby yet possibly 30+ years older. Read more below.
We in the news in Ireland for our funding of the Kilkenny "Finding Flemingstown" geophyical survey by @discoveryprogramme.bsky.social. Development of castle and town in early Anglo-Norman colonisation were entwined so it's a further boost to Irish castle studies: www.independent.ie/life/archaeo...
On 15 April, our latest project starts, the co-funding of an engineering survey of the great gatehouse of the Edwardian castle of Ruthin. A major castle now ruined and then had a C19 mansion and gardens built on it there's still medieval remains read more here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/04...
And this is one about the digital reconstruction of Holt which we funded over a decade ago, built by John de Warenne and favourite of Richard II: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2021/04...
Not all Edwardian castles in North Wales built in the late C13 were royal ones. In the Welsh Marches barons built great castles. These include, Hawarden, Holt and Ruthin. The latest project we are co-funding is on the Ruthin, built by Reginald de Grey: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/04...
In 2025 we awarded a grant to @crookston.bsky.social to carry out a community geophys survey of Crookston Castle supported by the geophys team of HES. We found not just some great archaeology but also a local area keen to learn more about "their" castle: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/04...
Sunrise behind a tree. Tree silhouetted against a deep red sky with a hint at the yellow of the rising sun. York in England.
Echolands by Duncan Mackay on Christmas wrapping and decorations.
Stop!
I know what you’re thinking!
You need that final stocking filler for a history-loving loved one! Something under £15, small, perfectly shaped for wrapping, easily & quickly available from (all good) high street shops or online!
I’ve got your back…
#Echolands - A Journey in Search of Boudica
Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, stands proudly in front of Piazza Municipio and Naples’ city hall. Built 1279, I took this photo this October.
#Naples #Napoli #CastelNuovo #Italy #MedievalArchitecture #TravelPhotography #MedievalSky #QueenOfLostCastles
#Beautiful #winter #sky this #evening!
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I’ll be running the Walk & Talk again soon under Swallowtail Archaeology – watch this space!
swallowtailarchaeology.co.uk
#CaergwrleCastle #MedievalSky #QueenOfLostCastles
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Huge thanks to everyone who joined in. Your ideas & questions are already feeding into my current research on new contextual interpretations of the castle and its landscape. 🙌
#ArchaeologyWalk #CommunityResearch #QueenOfLostCastles
2/3
Huge thanks to everyone who joined in. Your ideas & questions are already feeding into my current research on new contextual interpretations of the castle and its landscape. 🙌
#ArchaeologyWalk #CommunityResearch #QueenOfLostCastles
Just led a brilliant Walk & Talk at #CaergwrleCastle with the Cambrian Archaeological Association! 🏰✨
We explored what’s known – and still debated – about this rare hybrid of Welsh siting & Edwardian-strength masonry, perched above the River Alyn. 1/3
#MedievalCastles #WelshHistory #MedievalSky
To book your place, contact me on rachel@swallowtailarchaeology.co.uk
I’d have loved to have heard this paper - particularly as it was in honour of Björn. Is it recorded/online, do you know?
Computer screen showing lecture slide with maps of England and Northern France.
Enjoying attending the Thirteenth Century Conference online today. Currently following the first Bjorn Weiler Memorial Lecture,by Daniel Power on Eleanor of Castile's inheritance in Ponthieu and Aumale. #medieval #medievalsky
Thanks for the reposts!
🏰✨ Free Walk & Talk! ✨🏰
📅 Sat 13 Sept 2025 | ⏰ 2–4 pm
📍 Caergwrle Castle, Flintshire
📩 Reserve your spot: rachel@swallowtailarchaeology.co.uk
#SwallowtailArchaeology #QueenOfLostCastles #ResearchWritingReviewReach #CaergwrleCastle #WelshHistory #CastlesOfWales #LegendLadyLandscape #medievalsky
Acorns on sun-burnt August grass 🌱☀️
In medieval Britain, the oak was power itself — boundary marker, court tree, symbol of endurance and lordship. 🌳👑
#Oak #Acorns #BritishCountryside #MedievalHistory #Folklore #queenoflostcastles #medievalsky
😂
😉
Oh, you’re so right! ‘Beauty’ is most definitely in the eye of the beholder!
😂
St. Mary’s, #Beverley, #Yorkshire - founded AD 1120.
Though the #Lincoln #Imp is famous, the Beverley Imp is arguably more frightening—yet perhaps also endearing?! Its grotesque face vividly shows how #medieval carvers mixed #myth and #morality into #sacred spaces.
#medievalsky
