Helen Gittos
@helengittos.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Medieval History; parent involved in the Independent Inquiry into Maternity Services at East Kent.
(I'm no longer able to read private messages here.)
(I'm no longer able to read private messages here.)
Look how far they've got...!
November 21, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Look how far they've got...!
A comparison of the beast on the west porch at Deerhurst with the one on the coppergate helmet. Both drawn by Maggie Kneen and published in this article: www.academia.edu/144740312/Ni...
November 20, 2025 at 11:31 PM
A comparison of the beast on the west porch at Deerhurst with the one on the coppergate helmet. Both drawn by Maggie Kneen and published in this article: www.academia.edu/144740312/Ni...
And then there's this. An early medieval linen pillow with decorative ends. Also from the Caucasus and @metmuseum.org. www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
November 20, 2025 at 8:33 PM
And then there's this. An early medieval linen pillow with decorative ends. Also from the Caucasus and @metmuseum.org. www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
... and a pair of early medieval fingerless gloves some 1200 years old! #andiamamaterialgirl
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
November 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
... and a pair of early medieval fingerless gloves some 1200 years old! #andiamamaterialgirl
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
... which led me on a tangent to this lovely wooden box with a sliding lid, dating from the seventh-ninth centuries from the Caucasus & now @metmuseum.org.
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
November 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
... which led me on a tangent to this lovely wooden box with a sliding lid, dating from the seventh-ninth centuries from the Caucasus & now @metmuseum.org.
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
Why hadn't I read this glorious paper earlier?!
'Merelsweinn the Sheriff, Tovi the Proud, the Godwinesons... men who served as royal councillors, oversaw the executions of criminals, bullied peasants, & fought & died at Hastings – hard, tough, serious individuals, dressed like peacocks...'
'Merelsweinn the Sheriff, Tovi the Proud, the Godwinesons... men who served as royal councillors, oversaw the executions of criminals, bullied peasants, & fought & died at Hastings – hard, tough, serious individuals, dressed like peacocks...'
November 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Why hadn't I read this glorious paper earlier?!
'Merelsweinn the Sheriff, Tovi the Proud, the Godwinesons... men who served as royal councillors, oversaw the executions of criminals, bullied peasants, & fought & died at Hastings – hard, tough, serious individuals, dressed like peacocks...'
'Merelsweinn the Sheriff, Tovi the Proud, the Godwinesons... men who served as royal councillors, oversaw the executions of criminals, bullied peasants, & fought & died at Hastings – hard, tough, serious individuals, dressed like peacocks...'
And this too! Wow @fotofacade.bsky.social: you've outdone even yourself 😍
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
And this too! Wow @fotofacade.bsky.social: you've outdone even yourself 😍
Magical evocations through images and words by @fotofacade.bsky.social of a very special place.
'Travelling along the lane to St Melangell’s is an act of filtration, a redaction of modernity. The pressing matters of the day are pared down with each passing turn.'
'Travelling along the lane to St Melangell’s is an act of filtration, a redaction of modernity. The pressing matters of the day are pared down with each passing turn.'
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Magical evocations through images and words by @fotofacade.bsky.social of a very special place.
'Travelling along the lane to St Melangell’s is an act of filtration, a redaction of modernity. The pressing matters of the day are pared down with each passing turn.'
'Travelling along the lane to St Melangell’s is an act of filtration, a redaction of modernity. The pressing matters of the day are pared down with each passing turn.'
This is the building those paintings enliven...
November 16, 2025 at 12:28 PM
This is the building those paintings enliven...
How I love work rooms!
I don't think university administrator's who want academics to hot desk or share offices understand that we do is creative and we need our versions of spaces like this.
mariette-artist.com/blog
I don't think university administrator's who want academics to hot desk or share offices understand that we do is creative and we need our versions of spaces like this.
mariette-artist.com/blog
November 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM
How I love work rooms!
I don't think university administrator's who want academics to hot desk or share offices understand that we do is creative and we need our versions of spaces like this.
mariette-artist.com/blog
I don't think university administrator's who want academics to hot desk or share offices understand that we do is creative and we need our versions of spaces like this.
mariette-artist.com/blog
These spring from Fresh Arts, a programme run by North Bristol NHS Trust.
mariette-artist.com/spring-clean
www.nbt.nhs.uk/support-us/fresh-arts-0
mariette-artist.com/spring-clean
www.nbt.nhs.uk/support-us/fresh-arts-0
November 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
These spring from Fresh Arts, a programme run by North Bristol NHS Trust.
mariette-artist.com/spring-clean
www.nbt.nhs.uk/support-us/fresh-arts-0
mariette-artist.com/spring-clean
www.nbt.nhs.uk/support-us/fresh-arts-0
The Gardener's Favourite Dress.
'This flowery 1950s dress came from a jumble sale.
I love the oranges & greens that remind me of the nasturtiums my dad always grew around his allotment shed.'
mariette-artist.com
'This flowery 1950s dress came from a jumble sale.
I love the oranges & greens that remind me of the nasturtiums my dad always grew around his allotment shed.'
mariette-artist.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
The Gardener's Favourite Dress.
'This flowery 1950s dress came from a jumble sale.
I love the oranges & greens that remind me of the nasturtiums my dad always grew around his allotment shed.'
mariette-artist.com
'This flowery 1950s dress came from a jumble sale.
I love the oranges & greens that remind me of the nasturtiums my dad always grew around his allotment shed.'
mariette-artist.com
Spring Clean by Mariette Voke @mariette_artist, a fabulously cheery painting to encounter in the atrium of the new Bristol
Southmead Hospital.
'My paintings are inspired by everyday things, found, hoarded or worn with use... the ability of objects & clothing to encapsulate memories.'
Southmead Hospital.
'My paintings are inspired by everyday things, found, hoarded or worn with use... the ability of objects & clothing to encapsulate memories.'
November 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Spring Clean by Mariette Voke @mariette_artist, a fabulously cheery painting to encounter in the atrium of the new Bristol
Southmead Hospital.
'My paintings are inspired by everyday things, found, hoarded or worn with use... the ability of objects & clothing to encapsulate memories.'
Southmead Hospital.
'My paintings are inspired by everyday things, found, hoarded or worn with use... the ability of objects & clothing to encapsulate memories.'
New article from Robin Fleming on the break between Roman & Early Medieval Britain.
'the lines drawn between periods are not... inherent, but because they help us organise our data, structure our understanding of the past, & keep us sane. An historical period is a tool...[not] an explanation.'
'the lines drawn between periods are not... inherent, but because they help us organise our data, structure our understanding of the past, & keep us sane. An historical period is a tool...[not] an explanation.'
November 15, 2025 at 8:35 AM
New article from Robin Fleming on the break between Roman & Early Medieval Britain.
'the lines drawn between periods are not... inherent, but because they help us organise our data, structure our understanding of the past, & keep us sane. An historical period is a tool...[not] an explanation.'
'the lines drawn between periods are not... inherent, but because they help us organise our data, structure our understanding of the past, & keep us sane. An historical period is a tool...[not] an explanation.'
'The transformations we see... took place in the hall rather than the war band.
Its invention was domestic rather than
martial
& it was created by all sorts of women & men —indigenous and foreign, local and newcomer....'
So good, @robin-f.bsky.social!
Its invention was domestic rather than
martial
& it was created by all sorts of women & men —indigenous and foreign, local and newcomer....'
So good, @robin-f.bsky.social!
November 15, 2025 at 8:16 AM
'The transformations we see... took place in the hall rather than the war band.
Its invention was domestic rather than
martial
& it was created by all sorts of women & men —indigenous and foreign, local and newcomer....'
So good, @robin-f.bsky.social!
Its invention was domestic rather than
martial
& it was created by all sorts of women & men —indigenous and foreign, local and newcomer....'
So good, @robin-f.bsky.social!
This indicates that remedies such as this one were being used in childbirth in the late middle ages.
5/
5/
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
This indicates that remedies such as this one were being used in childbirth in the late middle ages.
5/
5/
Protein analysis found evidence not only of cervico-vaginal fluid but also honey, sheep or goat milk, eggs, beans or peas, & cereals. 4/
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Protein analysis found evidence not only of cervico-vaginal fluid but also honey, sheep or goat milk, eggs, beans or peas, & cereals. 4/
And the article by Sarah Fiddyment et al analysing it is here:
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
3/
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
3/
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
And the article by Sarah Fiddyment et al analysing it is here:
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
3/
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
3/
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
A chance to see a well-used, 3m long, birth scroll made in England c.1500. Covered in prayers & illustrations, in Latin & English, invoking Sts Quiricus & Julitta, it's worn from use, engrained with vaginal fluid, imbued with love, pain, fear, hope & life. 🧵👇
wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/...
wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/...
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
A chance to see a well-used, 3m long, birth scroll made in England c.1500. Covered in prayers & illustrations, in Latin & English, invoking Sts Quiricus & Julitta, it's worn from use, engrained with vaginal fluid, imbued with love, pain, fear, hope & life. 🧵👇
wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/...
wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/...
In 2005/6 some fragments of the C13th king's high table were discovered. These added to ones that had previously found, enabling a reconstruction of this remarkable piece of furniture which stood in the hall from the 13th to the 17th centuries. (Collins et al Ant J 2012). 5/
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
In 2005/6 some fragments of the C13th king's high table were discovered. These added to ones that had previously found, enabling a reconstruction of this remarkable piece of furniture which stood in the hall from the 13th to the 17th centuries. (Collins et al Ant J 2012). 5/
Masons marks on stones in the passage by the gift shop. 4/
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Masons marks on stones in the passage by the gift shop. 4/
In 2016, Roland Harris and Dan Miles argued that it had originally been built, in the 1090s, as a massive, aisleless hall. Astonishing that this extraordinary building is still in daily use - as the entrance into Westminster. 3/
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
In 2016, Roland Harris and Dan Miles argued that it had originally been built, in the 1090s, as a massive, aisleless hall. Astonishing that this extraordinary building is still in daily use - as the entrance into Westminster. 3/