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Paul Webster 🌈

@webstermedieval.bsky.social

Medieval historian (esp. kingship, religion, saints, King John & Thomas Becket). Mature students & lifelong learning. Carer. Occasional gardener. He/him. 🌈 Ace, Genderfluid

284 Posts5529 Follower 2245 Folgt

Jan Machielsen @janmachielsen.bsky.social · 3d ago

The second episode has just dropped! I'm on this one discussing the many myths surrounding the (definitely not #skymedieval!) witch-hunts. Give us a try! New 🪄🧹🧙 episodes drop every other Saturday. 😊 #earlymodern #hextag 🗃️

Jan Machielsen@janmachielsen.bsky.social · 2w ago

🚨 New Podcast Alert! 🚨 Robin Briggs, Alison Rowlands and I join broadcaster Jon Briggs (yes, a relation!) for a series of wide ranging discussions of #earlymodern witchcraft. Between the three of us, we've spent some ninety years researching the history of witches and demons. #SkyStorians #hextag

Paul Webster 🌈@webstermedieval.bsky.social · 6d ago

At Eastnor Castle today catching up with friends I've not seen in ages and ages. Lovely castle and grounds.

Dr Charlotte Pickard @drcharlottepickard.bsky.social · 2w ago

CfP: The Noblewomen Network @imc-leeds.bsky.social 2027. Harriet Kersey and I are pleased to invite proposals for #IMC2027 If you're working on medieval noblewomen, we'd love to hear from you! Please share widely. Deadline: Friday 4 September 2026.

Leeds IMC 2027, Monday 5 – Thursday 8 July
Sponsored by the Noblewomen Network
Organisers: Harriet Kersey (Independent Scholar) and Charlotte Pickard (Cardiff University, The Open University)
Noblewomen played a pivotal role in medieval society. They were central to their communities and cultivated important networks both within their families and wider society. They acted as rulers and politicians, as well as cultural and religious patrons and intermediaries. This strand of sessions will bring together scholars who work on medieval noblewomen, to build on the discourse that has developed over the past few decades, with the continued aim of building a global network of scholars working in this vibrant area of research.
We welcome papers spanning from across the medieval world, as well as across disciplines.
Topics could include, but are not limited to:
Noblewomen and their different communities; Noblewomen’s roles in politics and political life; Noblewomen and society; Noblewomen and the family; Noblewomen and the law; Noblewomen and patronage; Noblewomen and material culture; Noblewomen’s involvement in education and learning; Noblewomen and literature; Ecclesiastical women and interactions with religious communities; Historiographical approaches to noblewomen

We invite proposals for 20-minute papers on all aspects of research relating to noblewomen. Expressions of interest and/or queries should be directed to NoblewomenIMC2020@gmail.com by 7pm on Friday 4 September 2026, with an abstract of no more than 250 words and a short biography.

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 2w ago

📚New courses out now! 👩‍🎓Cardiff Uni provides hundreds of part-time courses for adults. 💻In-person and online. ⏰Enrol now and find out if you could learn for free. www.cardiff.ac.uk/part-time-co...

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 2w ago

We have loved all the graduation photos we have seen over the past week. If you feel inspired to study a Pathway to a degree in 2026, please visit our website or email pathways@cardiff.ac.uk

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 2w ago

📣News Story Alert! 📣 This is an amazing news story. It is never too late to learn – you could change your life! nation.cymru/news/ukraini...

Ukrainian refugee wins top Nation of Sanctuary award

Martin Shipton A Ukrainian refugee who has been studying at Cardiff University has won the Academic Achievement Award at the Nation of Sanctuary Awards organised by the Welsh Refugee Council. The Acad...

nation.cymru

Leonie V. Hicks @lvhicks.bsky.social · 2w ago

Normans at #IMC2027! Call for papers sponsored by the Battle Conference. Full details in the alt text and pasted in successive posts. Deadline for abstracts 15 Sept. #medievalsky #archaeology #skystorians @imc-leeds.bsky.social

Communities, Change and Collaboration in Norman History
Organised by Dr Mark Hagger (Lincoln) and Prof. Leonie Hicks (Canterbury Christ Church University)
Sponsored by the Battle Conference on Anglo-Norman Studies

2027 marks two significant anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the Battle Conference on Anglo-Norman Studies and the millennial anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth in 2027. It also marks the European Year of the Normans. We hope to organise sessions reflecting communities, change and collaboration in Norman history and welcome proposals that draw on historical, literary, archaeological, and art-historical approaches and sources. Potential contributors might like to think about the following themes although these are not exclusive:

- communities of practice: writing, researching and teaching the Norman past in the middle ages and now
- comparative approaches across different areas conquered and settled by the Normans to communities and change
- communities of different sorts, e.g. financial, administrative, religious, ecological, social and cultural etc.
- landscapes
- tools and theories for understanding change, communities and collaboration as applied to the Normans e.g. digital humanities, knowledge exchange, mapping, etc.
- modelling collaborative approaches to Norman history
- how Norman historiography has change/is changing the way we understand the Normans

Please send abstracts for 20 minute papers (in person or virtual) to Prof. Leonie Hicks (leonie.hicks@canterbury.ac.uk) by no later than 15 September 2026.

Proposals should include
• Title
• Abstract (max 200 words)
• Your name, institution, and role
• Full contact details (these will be used by Leeds IMC to contact you)

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 3w ago

Michelin restaurateur graduates as nurse after returning to study www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/30...

cardiff.ac.uk

Paul Webster 🌈@webstermedieval.bsky.social · 3w ago

Glastonbury Abbey on a sunny and very warm day.

Paul Webster 🌈@webstermedieval.bsky.social · 3w ago

Exploring Wells Cathedral today, as Dad and I have taken a couple of days away for a change of scenery.

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 3w ago

“It was a second chance for me” A mother of three from Cwmfelinfach will graduate with a Master of Arts in History this week, calling her time at Cardiff University “transformative.” www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/30...

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 3w ago

Congratulations to all former Pathway students graduating from Cardiff University this week! Please send us your photos and memories. You are all amazing!

Jan Machielsen @janmachielsen.bsky.social · 3w ago

New book cover alert! The second, expanded edition of the Science of Demons is coming out at the end of this month! It features two new chapters and an epilogue, as well as corrected and updated content. Preorder (with a discount!) at www.routledge.com/The-Science-... #earlymodern #hextag

Cover of the Science of Demons, depicting the Temptation of St Antony by Michelangelo.

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · last mo.

Volunteer archaeologists uncover tantalising connection between Roman era and Bronze Age. www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/30...

cardiff.ac.uk

Clare M. Dowding @claredowding.bsky.social · last mo.

Breezy, Lesbian Disaster 💖🏳️‍⚧️@bluebirdbreeze.bsky.social · 3y ago

Jan Machielsen @janmachielsen.bsky.social · last mo.

The paperback of The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History is out next week, and @bloomsburyhist.bsky.social published a blog in which I explain why I called it a secret history. The witch hunt is well known but the familiar story never quite rang true for me: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/...

bloomsbury.com

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · last mo.

Very welcome news that Cadw understands the greatness of the ASSL :)

Cardiff University Libraries@cardiffunilib.bsky.social · last mo.

Designated 'Historic Asset'! We always suspected it, but now it's Cadw official! 🙏🍾 Our Arts & Social Studies Library received it's Grade II listing on Wednesday last week, noted as a key example of a twentieth century university library in Wales.

Cadw Grade II listed.

Arts & Social Studies Library. Date of designation: 24 June 2026.

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · last mo.

Dr Juliette Wood discusses the folklore of the dragon with Deborah Hyde in this interesting podcast on Wyrd Wycombe and the Wycombe Wyrm. @deborahhyde.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHZh...

Wyrd Wycombe and the Wycombe Wyrm

YouTube video by DeborahHydeFolklore

youtube.com

Jan Machielsen @janmachielsen.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The paperback of the Basque Witch-Hunt is coming out on 9 July and @bloomsburyhist.bsky.social just shared some wonderful promotional material with me. 🥳 www.bloomsbury.com/uk/basque-wi... #earlymodern #hextag #skystorians

Promotional image showing the book's cover, the award it won and the following quotes from reviews:

"Full of witty asides and fascinating stories"
European History Quarterly
"[Brings the reader] along with him"
The English Historical Review
"A rich study"
The Times Literary Supplement
"Excellent and vividly written"
Fortean Times

Charles West @pseudo-isidore.bsky.social · 2mo ago

www.hist.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...

Professor Rosamond McKitterick 1949-2026. In memoriam | Faculty of History University of Cambridge

hist.cam.ac.uk

Jan Machielsen @janmachielsen.bsky.social · 2mo ago

At Cardiff University's third annual Supernatural Event. Our excellent guest speaker Ceri Houlbrook is kicking us off with a lecture on witch bottles! #earlymodern #hextag #folklore

Dysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Matthew completed the Exploring the Past Pathway before starting his degree studies in History. This is a fantastic glimpse into life as a mature student at Cardiff Uni. We wish Matthew the best of luck! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aig9...

A day in the life of a History student at Cardiff University - with Matt

YouTube video by School of History, Archaeology and Religion

youtube.com

Paul Webster 🌈@webstermedieval.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Sunshine and book shopping.

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Thanks Private Eye fo the mention, get your copy in newsagents today!

Read the room

AFTER making drastic cuts to jobs and courses last year, Cardiff University is considering removing an entire floor of a busy, useful library to install a trendy "immersive learning environment".

The university confirmed that the second floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library was "a location currently being explored" for an, ahem, proof-of-concept learning space to try out the idea. It says it wants to draw on examples of immersive learning spaces at some of the best universities worldwide.

Previously used to describe the old-fashioned but effective concept of going to France to learn French, "immersive learning" is now all about being inside digital presentations, either using virtual reality headsets or rooms with big-screen walls. Certainly the "immersive rooms" at nearby University of Wales Trinity St David (where students can enjoy being surrounded by flm of LED screens) and the Igloo Virtual Reality Cave at the University of the West of England feature heavily in their recruitment marketing. But campaigners at Cardiff say polling consistently shows students want real physical books as well as digital wizardry.

There has been outcry from staff and students, who rather value the vital quiet study space and the 7,000 or so books housed on that floor, including old and rare collections of Welsh literature and music. To make matters worse, the space was only refurbished in 2024, with new carpets, desks and lighting, after academics had complained for years about the shabby state of the study space.

A petition to protect the library has attracted more than 10,000 signatures and with some success! As the Eye went to press, the university announced that its original timeline to start work over the summer break had "become unachievable and we have taken the decision to pause initial proprietary work."

Leonie V. Hicks @lvhicks.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We still have a scholarship available for History, Archaeology or Heritage (or a combination) at CCCU. Deadline 3 July. This is an open call as long as your research fits with Cultures and Communities or Material Pasts. 1/ www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/f...