Isabella I of Castile is born #OnThisDay in 1451. Anonymous portrait of Isabella c.1490 (Image: Museo del Prado, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

Some more medieval news stories! First, an Anglo-Saxon sword found near Canterbury: tinyurl.com/socmedarch80 And, a medieval monastery discovered in Germany: tinyurl.com/socmedarch81 (Image Credit: U. Holtfester/Archäologie am Hellweg eG)

📢 The Medieval Britain & Ireland fieldwork listings (1957-2025) are now available as a download-only database via the Archaeology Data Service website. Read all about the project and how to access the files here: tinyurl.com/socmedarch95

The Battle of Barnet took place #OnThisDay in 1471. It was a decisive battle in the Wars of the Roses and a victory for Yorkist forces. Image from the Ghent Manuscript, showing Edward leading the Yorkist charge and piercing the armour of the Earl of Warwick. (Image: Ghent University Library).

Two recent medieval news stories! First, Cookham Abbey dig gets funding to continue research: tinyurl.com/socmedarch78 . Then, we’re a little envious of the students on this training dig – what a find! tinyurl.com/socmedarch79

Bristol Cathedral was consecrated #OnThisDay in 1148. Pictured is the west front of the cathedral. (Image: NotFromUtrecht via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).

Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) died #OnThisDay in 1240. Pictured is a statue of Llywelyn in Conwy, North Wales. (Image: Rhion Pritchard, public domain via Wikimedia Commons).

The second reign of Edward IV begins #OnThisDay in 1471. Pictured is a posthumous portrait of Edward c. 1540. (Image: National Portrait Gallery).

Two recent medieval news stories! First, a tooth enamel study tracks early medieval migration to England: tinyurl.com/socmedarch76 . And an Anglo-Saxon “lordly centre” discovered near Skipsea Castle: tinyurl.com/socmedarch77 (Image: University of York).

Announcing this year’s Jarrow Lecture: Bede, Providence, and Early Medieval Kingship. Full details here:
medievalarchaeology.co.uk/2026-jarrow-...

Richard I died #OnThisDay in 1199. Pictured is his tomb effigy in Fontevraud Abbey where his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is also buried. (Image: Adam Bishop via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 3.0).

The Ryther Hoard was discovered #OnThisDay in 1992. It is a hoard of over 800 silver coins dating from Edward I through to Henry VII, stashed inside a Humber ware jug. Discovered by a metal detectorist, they are now at the Yorkshire Museum). (Image: York Museums Trust CC BY SA 4.0).

..., suggesting she had accompanied her husband into battle. She was later released and lived to old age. She was buried at Leicester Abbey, now in ruins (pictured). (Image: Kev747 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA3.0).

Petronilla de Grandmasnil died #OnThisDay in 1212. She was the wife of Robert Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, and both were part of the Revolt against Henry II. At the Battle of Fornham, Petronella was found in a ditch wearing a mail hauberk with a sword and shield...

Eleanor of Aquitaine died #OnThisDay in 1204. She was one of the most influential women of the medieval period. Queen of France and later Queen of England, she played a significant role in European politics. Tomb effigy, Fontevraud Abbey. (Image: Adam Bishop via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 3.0).

More medieval news! First, archaeologists uncover a 700-year-old underground vault in Germany: tinyurl.com/socmedarch74 . And a missing medieval masterpiece rediscovered in a school library: tinyurl.com/socmedarch75 (image: Cambridge University).

The Battle of Towton took place #OnThisDay in 1461. The battle is considered the largest and bloodiest of the Wars of the Roses, with considerable losses on both sides. Victory secured the throne for Edward IV. Painting by Richard Caton Woodville (Image: Public Domain via Wiki Commons).

Robert the Bruce was crowned king of Scotland #OnThisDay in 1306. He is depicted here with his first wife Isabella of Mar, in the 1562 Forman Armorial. (Image: National Library of Scotland, Public Domain).

ℹ️ Reminder for Masters dissertation supervisors
There’s still time to nominate an outstanding taught MA dissertation in medieval archaeology for the SMA Postgraduate Dissertation Award. Full details here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/awards/awards/

Deadline: 1st April

#MedievalArchaeology

Some more medieval news stories for you! First, a long-lost Anglo-Saxon village found near Friston: tinyurl.com/socmedarch72 . (Image: MOLA-Wessex Archaeology). Then, some intriguing finds could solve the mystery of women in medieval Welsh cemetery: tinyurl.com/socmedarch73

The reign of Henry V begins #OnThisDay in 1413. Henry is depicted here as Prince of Wales, offering or receiving a book, from Thomas Hoccleve's "Regement of Princes" c.1411. (Image: British Library, Arundel 38 f.37).

The Battle of Nibley Green took place #OnThisDay in 1470. It is notable for being the last battle on English soil fought entirely between private armies, & the culmination of an inheritance dispute for Berkeley Castle, with William Berkeley the victor. (Image: Philip Halling for Geograph CCBY-SA2.0)

Cuthbert of Lindisfarne died #OnThisDay in 687. He was a popular saint in northern England both during his life and after death, with a cult of worship centred on his tomb in Durham Cathedral. Pictured is a 12th century wall-painting of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral (image: Durham Cathedral).

Something for the weekend for all you pottery lovers - the Wiltshire Pottery Type Series is now available! The physical type series is available to view at the Wiltshire Museum. More info on how to access the online resource here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/wiltshire-po...

The reign of Æthelred begins #OnThisDay in 978. His moniker "the Unready" comes from the Old English word "unræd" meaning "poorly advised" and is a pun on his name, which means "well advised". Pictured is a gold mancus of Æthelred showing him wearing armour (Image: PHGCOM via Wikimedia Commons).

The reign of Harthacnut begins #OnThisDay in 1040. His reign was brief as he died suddenly just two years later, the last Dane to rule England. Pictured is a silver penny of Harthacnut from the collections at Yorkshire Museum (Image: York Museums Trust, CC BY SA 4.0).

Happy St. Patrick's Day to our Irish followers! Here is a depiction of St. Patrick standing on a snake in Purgatory from "St. Patrick's Purgatory: England" (Image: British Library Royal MS 17 B XLIII, f. 132v). #StPatricksDay

Here are some medieval news stories to kick of the week! First, an unusual 9th century burial of a Viking Age woman in Norway: tinyurl.com/socmedarch70 . Then, facial reconstruction from a 900 year old skull: tinyurl.com/socmedarch71

The Battle of Boroughbridge took place #OnThisDay in 1322. It was the culmination of a long period of antagonism between Edward I and Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. The rebels were defeated and Lancaster was executed (pictured), ending the Despenser War. (Image: Enluminere, Wiki Commons, Public Domain).

Society Members, the Minutes of our latest AGM are now available in the Members' Area of our website, in both text and video format. Check them out here: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/members-area/