#OnThisDay: William Wallace was captured on 5 August 1305. John de Menteith, a Scottish knight loyal to Edward I, turned Wallace over to English soldiers at Robroyston, near Glasgow. Pictured is the cross marking the site of his capture (Image: Alex Bracegirdle via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).

#OnThisDay: The reign of Henry I began on 5 August 1100. Henry is shown here on his voyage back to England to claim the throne, from the Chronicon ex chronicis. (Image: Oxford, Corpus Christi College MS 157 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay: Gruffydd ap Llywelyn died on 5 August 1063. He was the only Welsh king ever to have ruled the entire territory of Wales. Upon his death, after 7 years of unity and peace, Wales was once again divided into kingdoms. Image: from 1584 Historie of Cambria, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

#OnThisDay. The Battle of Evesham took place on 4 August 1265. This 13th century image shows the death and mutilation of Simon de Montfort after his forces lost the battle to the army of Henry III. (Image: British Library, Cotton MS Nero D ii, f. 177, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

📢 Announcing a Call for Papers from our friends at the Route des Normandes Association for a proposed series of linked sessions at next year’s International Medieval Congress. For further information/details on how to submit an abstract, see our website: medievalarchaeology.co.uk/call-for-pap...

The Society for Medieval Archaeology | Call For Papers – Route des Normandes Association

The Society for Medieval Archaeology was established to study evidence of the past, whether standing buildings, landscapes, buried remains or artefacts in museums.

medievalarchaeology.co.uk

#OnThisDay. William II died on 2 August 1100. He died after being hit by an arrow whilst out hunting. The subsequent behaviour of those around him raised suspicion of murder, although this remains unproven. (Image: British Library, Royal MS 16 G VI fs.001r, via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Mirebeau took place on 1 August 1202, which saw the army of King John defeat the House of Lusignan-Breton alliance. This image of King John is from the Historia Anglorum by Matthew Paris (Image: British Library Royal MS 14 C.VII, f.9, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

Two recent medieval news stories you may have missed! Hoard of Æthelred II coins found in Maldon: tinyurl.com/socmedarch107 And, mercury detected in the dental calculus of medieval lepers suggests it may have been used for treatment: tinyurl.com/socmedarch108 #medievalarchaeology #archaeologynews

Ethelred the Unready coin hoard found by Maldon detectorist

The coins were minted by a Saxon king who could not prevent an upsurge in Viking raids, says expert.

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#OnThisDay: Offa of Mercia died 29 July 795. This Early Medieval silver penny of Offa of Mercia was minted in Canterbury by the moneyer Babba c.784-793. PAS record: buff.ly/3PhnAbT (Image: Portable Antiquities Scheme/National Museums Wales, CC BY-SA 2.0).

#OnThisDay: The Sutton Hoo helmet was discovered 28 July 1939. The helmet had shattered into over 500 pieces and it took three days to recover all the fragments. It is one of the most recognisable artefacts discovered in Britain (Image: Geni via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

📘 New publication! Our latest Monograph is now out. Monograph 46 is the second of 3 volumes about the importants excavations carried out at the Austin Friary in Hull. Get your copy here: tinyurl.com/SMAMonograph46 SMA members are entitled to a 30% discount - see the Members' Area of our website.

#OnThisDay: Stirling Castle surrendered to English forces 24 July 1304. The last stronghold of resistance to Edward I's rule in Scotland, the castle (pictured here) lasted 4 months against 12 siege engines before the garrison surrendered. (Image: Andrew Shiva via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Harlaw took place 24 July 1411. It was part of a series of battles to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross. Pictured is the tombstone of Gilbert de Greenlaw, a knight killed in the battle. (Image: Bill Harrison via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0)

New publication! A new volume surveys how new infrastructure across 15 European countries affects medieval rural archaeology: tinyurl.com/socmedarch111 For in-depth reviews of recent medieval publications, check out our journal "Medieval Archaeology" - available to all SMA members.

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Falkirk took place on 22 July 1298. The English army of Edward I defeated Scottish forces led by William Wallace. Pictured is the tomb of Sir John de Graeme, Wallace's second in command (Image: Euan Nelson via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0).

More medieval news! A 6 year-old finds a Viking sword whilst on a school trip: tinyurl.com/socmedarch105 And archaeologists in Spain discover massive ship graveyard containing, amongst others, 4 medieval ships: tinyurl.com/socmedarch106

6-Year-Old Boy Finds 1,300-Year-Old Sword During School Trip | Arkeonews

A six-year-old boy in Norway discovered a 1,300-year-old single-edged sword during a school trip in Brandbu, revealing rare evidence from

tinyurl.com

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Shrewsbury took place on 21 July 1403. Pictured is the statue of Harry Hotspur (Henry Percy), the rebel leader against Henry IV, at Alnwick Castle. Henry IV prevailed but very nearly lost his life and his throne (Image: Stephencdickson Wiki Commons, CC BY SA 4.0).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Halidon Hill took place on 19 July 1333. A Scottish army under the command of Sir Archibald Douglas attacked the English army of Edward III and was heavily defeated. (Image: Stone marking the battle site, David Lauder via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of Castillon took place on 17 July 1453. It was a pivotal battle in the Hundred Years War, with France emerging victorious. Pictured is the death of John Talbot, the English commander, in an illumination from the manuscript by Martial d'Auvergne "The Vigils of Charles VII".

#OnThisDay: Richard II's coronation took place on 16 July 1377. He was only 10 years old, inheriting the throne from his grandfather Edward III. Richard is pictured here at his coronation, from the Recueil des croniques of Jean de Wavrin (Image: British Library, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

Two recent medieval news stories! A medieval wood and wax notebook found in a latrine, complete with legible writing: tinyurl.com/socmedarch103 Then, English coins made to ward off Vikings found in Denmark…as jewellery: tinyurl.com/socmedarch104

800-year-old medieval notebook found in German latrine still contains readable Latin writing | Archaeology News Online Magazine

Archaeologists in Germany found an 800-year-old medieval notebook in a latrine with readable Latin text preserved in wax.

tinyurl.com

#OnThisDay: On 13 July 1174 William I of Scotland was captured by the forces of Henry II at the Battle of Alnwick. To obtain his freedom, William was forced to sign the Treaty of Falaise, under which he swore an oath of allegiance to the English (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: Richard III married Anne Neville on 12 July 1472. The couple are pictured here with their son Edward in the 1483 Rous Roll (Image: British Library, Add MS 48976, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

#OnThisDay: The Battle of the Golden Spurs took place on 11 July 1302. The royal army of France fought against the rebel forces of the County of Flanders, near the town of Kortrijk, resulting in an unexpected victory for the Flemish.

#OnThisDay: John Balliol abdicates the Scottish throne on 10 July 1356. Pictured is a mid-16th century medieval manuscript illustration showing John Balliol with broken crown and sceptre. (Image: National Library of Scotland, Public Domain via World History Encyclopedia).

Some medieval news you won't have missed this morning! The Bayeux Tapestry has arrived in England as final preparations begin for the upcoming exhibition at the British Museum: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).

Have you got your tickets yet? Come and join us in the wonderful surroundings of the Guildhall in York for a day of all things heritage science! 🎫 Discounts apply for members and students, with registration starting at just £20, including refreshments. 🔗 Tickets: tinyurl.com/SMAConf2026

Society for Medieval Archaeology Conference 2026

Join us in the historic Guildhall in York on Saturday, 19th September 2026 for a conference on Heritage Science.

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#OnThisDay: The reign of Edward the Martyr began 8 July 975. Pictured is a complete silver penny of Edward the Martyr (975-978), minted by Ælfstan at Canterbury, c. 975-978. PAS Record here: buff.ly/3qRFmZ0 (Image: Portable Antiquities Scheme CC BY SA 2.0).

Two recent medieval news stories you may have missed! A hiker discovers 6th century gold scabbard under fallen tree: tinyurl.com/socmedarch101 Then, two Anglo-Saxon houses unearthed during Newark bypass excavation: tinyurl.com/socmedarch102

Hiker stumbles on 6th century gold sword scabbard under fallen tree

‘The odds of finding something like this are minimal.’

tinyurl.com

#OnThisDay: Edward I died on 7 July 1307. He was making his way north to fight Robert the Bruce when he contracted dysentry & died in the arms of his servants as they lifted him to eat his breakfast. Pictured is his tomb in Westminster Abbey. (Image: VCR Giulio19 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)