Dr Bryony Coombs
@bryonycoombs.bsky.social
Art Historian I Medieval and Early Modern, PhD, FSA Scot, FRHistS
Renaissance Teaching Fellow, Edinburgh Uni
Franco-Scottish cultural connections: art, architecture and material culture.
https://edinburgh.academia.edu/BryonyCoombs
https://bryonycoombs.com
Renaissance Teaching Fellow, Edinburgh Uni
Franco-Scottish cultural connections: art, architecture and material culture.
https://edinburgh.academia.edu/BryonyCoombs
https://bryonycoombs.com
Pinned
✨🎉Hello new BlueSky people 👋
Who am I?
New Book: Visual Arts & the Auld Alliance.
New project: Scotland on Parchment: Scraped, Limned and Bound due 2026. Inaugural book in a new EUP series Visual and Material Cultures of Scotland🎉✨ @edinburghup.bsky.social
New approaches: wp.me/peZVQm-8R
Who am I?
New Book: Visual Arts & the Auld Alliance.
New project: Scotland on Parchment: Scraped, Limned and Bound due 2026. Inaugural book in a new EUP series Visual and Material Cultures of Scotland🎉✨ @edinburghup.bsky.social
New approaches: wp.me/peZVQm-8R
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
The Middle English Reading Group I set up this semester has been reading Sir Gawain & the Green Knight. For our last session of the year, a student baked excellent biscuits. Of course, we started by eating the green knight’s head!
November 28, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The Middle English Reading Group I set up this semester has been reading Sir Gawain & the Green Knight. For our last session of the year, a student baked excellent biscuits. Of course, we started by eating the green knight’s head!
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Some photos from @bryonycoombs.bsky.social fantastic workshop, Embodied Knowledge: Experiential Learning and Manuscript Studies hosted at the Centre for Research Collections here in Edinburgh.
November 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Some photos from @bryonycoombs.bsky.social fantastic workshop, Embodied Knowledge: Experiential Learning and Manuscript Studies hosted at the Centre for Research Collections here in Edinburgh.
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Palaeography 🧵! Or why it can take a historian a while to confirm what they already suspected must be the case and not really get any further than they were—but this time with confidence 😂
I'm working with documents that list the incomes of medieval French lordships, so a lot of it is about grain.
I'm working with documents that list the incomes of medieval French lordships, so a lot of it is about grain.
November 19, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Palaeography 🧵! Or why it can take a historian a while to confirm what they already suspected must be the case and not really get any further than they were—but this time with confidence 😂
I'm working with documents that list the incomes of medieval French lordships, so a lot of it is about grain.
I'm working with documents that list the incomes of medieval French lordships, so a lot of it is about grain.
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Bring back errata slips in nowadays books! I love reading these lists of corrections in #earlymodern printed books, and I want them back, #booksky folks.
For your entertainment see this German "Verzeichnuß etlicher vbersehenen Jrrthumben" from 1616, literally a register of many overlooked errors:
For your entertainment see this German "Verzeichnuß etlicher vbersehenen Jrrthumben" from 1616, literally a register of many overlooked errors:
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Bring back errata slips in nowadays books! I love reading these lists of corrections in #earlymodern printed books, and I want them back, #booksky folks.
For your entertainment see this German "Verzeichnuß etlicher vbersehenen Jrrthumben" from 1616, literally a register of many overlooked errors:
For your entertainment see this German "Verzeichnuß etlicher vbersehenen Jrrthumben" from 1616, literally a register of many overlooked errors:
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
I'm no Luddite - far from it - but the ways in which in this development has been spoken of seem blind to, or completely uninterested in, what cannot be machine read and searched for: the pounce, sweat marks, soot, or wax; the non-semantic yet semiotically rich substrate that OCR strips away.
November 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I'm no Luddite - far from it - but the ways in which in this development has been spoken of seem blind to, or completely uninterested in, what cannot be machine read and searched for: the pounce, sweat marks, soot, or wax; the non-semantic yet semiotically rich substrate that OCR strips away.
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
This might also interest our followers, lecture notes by a Louvain professor.
One of our newest treasures: an #earlymodern Catechismus Romanus bound with a 1613 #manuscript student notebook of Jesuit Cornelius a Lapide’s lectures at Leuven. A wonderfully personalized & used book with a doodle of a long-nosed (😉) figure by its unknown owner.
#bookhistory #rarebooks 💙📚📜
#bookhistory #rarebooks 💙📚📜
November 25, 2025 at 7:54 AM
This might also interest our followers, lecture notes by a Louvain professor.
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Are you in museums or galleries? Do you do Renaissance-era research? Think about applying NOW to the Society for Renaissance Studies award to support such a research project upto £1,000. Deadline 1 December! It could get you to that crucial archive or museum! www.rensoc.org.uk/funding-priz...
Museums & Galleries Research Award – Society for Renaissance Studies
www.rensoc.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Are you in museums or galleries? Do you do Renaissance-era research? Think about applying NOW to the Society for Renaissance Studies award to support such a research project upto £1,000. Deadline 1 December! It could get you to that crucial archive or museum! www.rensoc.org.uk/funding-priz...
An enquiry by a former student has sent me down an academic rabbit hole relating to the works of Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen. I simultaneously know that I do not have time for this, but know myself, so know that I cannot let it go😬 argh!
Cornelisz, Man of Sorrows c.1510 Museum Mayer van den Bergh
Cornelisz, Man of Sorrows c.1510 Museum Mayer van den Bergh
November 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
An enquiry by a former student has sent me down an academic rabbit hole relating to the works of Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen. I simultaneously know that I do not have time for this, but know myself, so know that I cannot let it go😬 argh!
Cornelisz, Man of Sorrows c.1510 Museum Mayer van den Bergh
Cornelisz, Man of Sorrows c.1510 Museum Mayer van den Bergh
More here: www.sothebys.com/en/buy/aucti...
November 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
More here: www.sothebys.com/en/buy/aucti...
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Delighted to announce that vol 30 of 'Review of Scottish Culture' is now available online. It's another super issue, ranging through Scotland and across genres, from senior scholars and emerging voices. All free to download. Now open, for new submissions!
journals.ed.ac.uk/rosc
journals.ed.ac.uk/rosc
November 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Delighted to announce that vol 30 of 'Review of Scottish Culture' is now available online. It's another super issue, ranging through Scotland and across genres, from senior scholars and emerging voices. All free to download. Now open, for new submissions!
journals.ed.ac.uk/rosc
journals.ed.ac.uk/rosc
😯
Another incredible treasure from Grinnell, this time in the art collection, is this set of cuttings of the miniatures from what must have been a gorgeous book of hours! 🌟
(1985.003.001-009)
#midwestmss #medievalsky #medievalmss #manuscripts #fragments
(1985.003.001-009)
#midwestmss #medievalsky #medievalmss #manuscripts #fragments
November 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
😯
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Great placards from the rally at the parliament #StopaStaffCutsatEoE
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Great placards from the rally at the parliament #StopaStaffCutsatEoE
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
The St Andrews Chronicles, one of the most important manuscript histories of Scotland, is going on public display for the first time in its 500-year history. The book will be on display at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social from 21 November to 7 December
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
November 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The St Andrews Chronicles, one of the most important manuscript histories of Scotland, is going on public display for the first time in its 500-year history. The book will be on display at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social from 21 November to 7 December
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
#BookHistory
news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/500-...
Gorgeous:
A fun look today at @rialibrary.bsky.social’s manuscript of the week! The 15th-century Leabhar Breac / The Speckled Book (RIA MS 23 P 16) is a collection of religious, literary and historical works, including the lives St Patrick, St Brigid and Alexander the Great 📜🎉
November 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Gorgeous:
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
I'm on strike for the next three days in protest at my employer's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their cost-cutting vision for a radically diminished university. My school makes a healthy profit, most of which goes back into central coffers, yet still we're told to save more.
November 17, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I'm on strike for the next three days in protest at my employer's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their cost-cutting vision for a radically diminished university. My school makes a healthy profit, most of which goes back into central coffers, yet still we're told to save more.
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
Thinking of undertaking a postgraduate degree in History of Art?
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Thinking of undertaking a postgraduate degree in History of Art?
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
Thinking of undertaking a postgraduate degree in History of Art?
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Thinking of undertaking a postgraduate degree in History of Art?
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
Have a look at some of the fantastic programmes here at Edinburgh:
Global Premodern Art (MSc)
History of Art, Theory and Display (MSc)
Modern and Contemporary Art (MSc)
Collections and Curating Practices (MScR)
👀Wow! (not the price but that they just had this and who knew?)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Almshouse in Dorset discovers its 15th-century Flemish triptych is worth £3.5m
Artwork that hung for centuries at St John’s Almshouse in Sherborne will be sold to raise funds for social housing
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
👀Wow! (not the price but that they just had this and who knew?)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
📢 Delighted to announce that our Visiting Research Fellowships scheme for 2026 is now open for applications. Wonderful collections, world-class library & a brilliant @uofglasgow.bsky.social team to support you. Find out more 👇
November 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
📢 Delighted to announce that our Visiting Research Fellowships scheme for 2026 is now open for applications. Wonderful collections, world-class library & a brilliant @uofglasgow.bsky.social team to support you. Find out more 👇
Reposted by Dr Bryony Coombs
'Applications are invited from both early career and established scholars of any nationality, engaged on original research intended to produce monographs, editions or studies of documents, texts or illustrations, that include the analysis of the material features of original manuscripts'. up to £2k.
The British Academy invite applications for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The scheme aims to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
'Applications are invited from both early career and established scholars of any nationality, engaged on original research intended to produce monographs, editions or studies of documents, texts or illustrations, that include the analysis of the material features of original manuscripts'. up to £2k.
Well, off I go to this - a first for me, so I will keep you posted.
Double expresso and a good book to see me there!
Double expresso and a good book to see me there!
November 12, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Well, off I go to this - a first for me, so I will keep you posted.
Double expresso and a good book to see me there!
Double expresso and a good book to see me there!