Honoured to be serving once again as an officer of the Council of the @royalarchinst.bsky.social, this time as Honorary Secretary. Today marked my first meeting of a new three-year term. Good to be back in London - and with a purpose. #Archaeology
Dr Rachel E Swallow FSA, FHistS
@swallowtailarch.bsky.social
Castles & Landscapes Expert | Research, Writing, Review, & Reach in Archaeology, History & Heritage | Where Words Work www.swallowtailarchaeology.co.uk #queenoflostcastles #LegendLadyLandscape #ResearchWritingReviewReach
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.
The Castle Studies Trust@castlestudies.bsky.social · 4mo agoEveryone 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...
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...
Archaeologists uncover signs of forgotten village beside Kilkenny Castle
There has been a breakthrough in the search for a long lost medieval village in Kilkenny as experts believe they may have found the location of where the village once stood hundreds of years ago.
independent.ie
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...
Ruthin Castle: conserving and learning more about an Edwardian Castle – Castle Studies Trust Blog
castlestudiestrust.org
The Castle Studies Trust@castlestudies.bsky.social · 4mo agoOn 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 Glasgow Live: www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
Hidden prehistoric settlement discovered by locals could 'change the history of Glasgow'
Glasgow schoolchildren and volunteers have uncovered up to seven round houses dating to the Iron or Bronze Age near Glasgow's last surviving medieval castle.
glasgowlive.co.uk
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...
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
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
Cambrian Archaeological Association@cambriansarch.bsky.social · 11mo ago*Reminder* Free Cambrians Walk and talk this Saturday Sept 13, 2025! Come and join @swallowtailarch.bsky.social Dr Rachel Swallow- Queen of Lost Castles 🏰- and learn all about Caergwrle Castle, Anglo-Welsh/Marches. To book: cambrians.org.uk/walks-and-ta...
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
🏰✨ 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
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
One of two stones discovered on the moors around Whitby and given to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society by antiquarian Canon Raines in 1895. One disappeared, but this fantastic bit of #rockart can still be seen at York Museum Gardens. 📸 my own, yesterday.
One of the staircases leading from the front lawns up to Marbury Hall, #Cheshire (pic my own), & an aerial image from before the hall was demolished in 1969 (pic via the Friends of Anderton & Marbury). The site has been a country park since the late 1970s - a local treasure. #StaircaseSaturday
Some very lovely people very kindly made my #dream come true a year ago today! Another Big One off my Big #Birthday #BucketList! Just loved it! 😊 #tractor
