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theul.bsky.social
Cambridge University Library
@theul.bsky.social
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Cambridge University Library
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theul.bsky.social
✍️ Need help with your academic writing?

Support sessions with our Royal Literary Fund Fellow, Alexander Masters, start on 15 Oct 2025 for all current Cambridge University students and staff.

To book, email [email protected].
A photo of Alexander Masters talking to a staff member at Cambridge University Library. We see bookshelves in the background, full of old leather-bound volumes.
November 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
theul.bsky.social
When you realise there’s a word in the Cambridge Dictionary to describe the way you feel about Taylor Swift.

PARASOCIAL is Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year! It's the connection felt with a famous person, a fictional character, or AI, despite not knowing them personally.

Image: MS Dd.5.5
A medieval manuscript image of a blonde-haired person wearing a pink tunic. Their arms are thrown up in despair. The figures' eyes are blank, rendering their expression curiously mask-like.
November 21, 2025 at 10:01 AM
theul.bsky.social
Write an essay to win £500 📝

The Gordon Duff Prize is now accepting proposals on the science of books and manuscripts and the arts relating to them.

Find out more and how to enter: https://loom.ly/xZZOdOc
Previous Gordon Duff Prize winner Dr Ruth Abbott standing outside Cambridge University Library. Dr Abbott is holding up her prize-winning essay.
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
theul.bsky.social
#OnThisDay in 1600, Charles I was born.

This highly symbolic image of Charles holding the martyr’s crown of thorns is the frontispiece to the Eikon Basilike (The Royal Portrait). Published soon after his execution in 1649, it claimed to be Charles's spiritual autobiography.

London: 1649 – CCD.8.9
A woodcut of Charles I, which forms the heavily symbolic frontispiece to Eikon Basilike. We see Charles I kneeling, with light appearing to shine from his head. The crown in the upper right corner is inscribed with the words ‘beatam & aeternam’ (blessed & eternal), which is to be contrasted with the temporal crown at the King’s foot, ‘splendidam & gravem’ (splendid & heavy). He holds the martyr’s crown of thorns, ‘asperam & levem’ (bitter & light).
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
theul.bsky.social
📚 The Really Popular Book Club has two fantastic reads coming up!

📖 25 November
The Tap Dancer by Andrew Barrow

📖 16 December
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

🎟️ FREE tickets — register here to join us online: https://loom.ly/PlR2sr0
A promotional graphic for ‘The Really Popular Book Club,’ hosted by Cambridge University Libraries. The top half has a bright pink background with the title in bold yellow text and a yellow vertical banner reading ‘Book Club.’ Below, two upcoming book selections are shown. On the left, under the date ‘25 November,’ is the cover of The Tap Dancer by Andrew Barrow, featuring the silhouette of a tap dancer against a large yellow circle. On the right, under the date ‘16 December,’ is the cover of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, showing illustrated children and a lion in motion. The bottom background is yellow.
November 18, 2025 at 11:16 AM
theul.bsky.social
Cambridge students, researchers, and staff can access free skills sessions with the University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives Research Skills programme. Explore a range of skills sessions on topics including academic writing, reading, note-making and publishing. https://loom.ly/sBak5xw
A promotional poster from the University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives advertising ‘Research Skills Training.’ The poster features a stylised tree-like graphic with circular icons labeling different training topics: Open research practices, Managing research data, Publishing and fair attribution, Literature searching and note-taking, and Academic writing and referencing. Text at the bottom says ‘Webinars and workshops to boost your research and information skills.’ Booking information includes a shortened link and an email address, with a QR code on the right.
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
theul.bsky.social
🧪Hold on to your urine flasks, there are only a few weeks left to visit Curious Cures!

📍 Open until 6 December 2025 at the University Library
🔗Book your FREE ticket: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY

Music by Vlad Bakutov from Pixabay
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
theul.bsky.social
The archive of enigmatic 19th-century writer Amy Levy has a new home at Cambridge University Library.

Find out more: https://loom.ly/RHh3bbc

Thank you to our supporters, including: @thefnl.bsky.social, Arts Council England, Rothschild Foundation, The Polonsky Foundation, T. S. Eliot Foundation.
November 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
theul.bsky.social
In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

John McCrae, In Flanders' Field.

Image: Fuch's herbal (Sel.2.81)

#ArmisticeDay #RemembranceDay
An image of a poppy from a sixteenth century herbal book. The petals of the poppy are a soft red. There are multiple green stems with unopened buds.
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 AM
theul.bsky.social
Laugh out loud at the library! Comedy improv inspired by our latest Curious Cures exhibition 🎭😆

Thursday 20 November. 5.30-7pm. Tickets £5. More info and to book: https://loom.ly/ctOh268

#CuriousCures #CambridgeUniversityLibrary #ImprovNight #CambridgeEvents #ComedyNight
Poster for "Comedy Improv at the UL!" featuring a collaboration between Medieval Manuscripts and The Cambridge Impronauts. Includes images of a medieval illustration and an improv performance. University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives logo at the bottom.
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
theul.bsky.social
For #DigitalPreservationDay we spoke to Caylin Smith, Head of Digital Preservation, about her team's efforts to foster a culture of digital stewardship that protects our digital heritage for future generations.
#WDPD2025

Read more: https://loom.ly/UFJLE40

💾🖥️
A photo of Caylin Smith in the Catalogue Hall at Cambridge University Library
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
theul.bsky.social
Look no further than John Babington’s Pyrotechnia (London, 1635) for inspiration for your #fireworks display. There are 'fizgigs' and fire-breathing dragons galore!🎆

Adams.4.63.1. #bonfirenight
An illustration from a seventeenth-century book on fireworks showing a fire-breathing dragon on wheels The illustrated title page from a seventeenth-century book on fireworks An illustration from a seventeenth-century book on fireworks
November 5, 2025 at 8:52 AM
theul.bsky.social
A week to go until the Sandars Lectures 2025 📚
Join us in celebrating archival collections in Cambridge and beyond, on 11 & 12 November 2025, 5-6pm. Online spaces still available.
Book your free tickets: https://loom.ly/Du7jSUs
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
theul.bsky.social
How did medieval people treat an anal abscess?

🌹 John Arderne, a 15th-century English surgeon, relieved the pain with a suppository of oil of roses and raw egg yolk.

This manuscript (@trincolllibcam.bsky.social , MS O.2.49) is on display at our Curious Cures exhibition.

Tickets: loom.ly/kVqsPRY
A medieval manuscript featuring handwritten text and hand-drawn anatomical illustrations. There are sketches of human figures and medical instruments related to surgery on the anus. The ink is dark brown, and the pages are aged and yellowed, giving the book a well-used appearance. A medieval manuscript featuring handwritten text and hand-drawn anatomical illustrations. There are sketches of human figures and medical instruments related to surgery on the anus. The ink is dark brown, and the pages are aged and yellowed, giving the book a well-used appearance.
November 3, 2025 at 12:12 PM
theul.bsky.social
A Visit to a Witch!

Giving an account of the hovel she resides in, the fear she occasions in the neighbourhood of it, and the curious charges brought against her before a justice of the peace.

London: J. Evans and Sons, [1814?] (CCD.7.50.28)

#Folklore #Witchcraft #History #Superstition
An old printed woodcut illustration of a witch riding a broomstick over clouds. An old printed pamphlet titled A Visit to a Witch! with a woodcut illustration of a witch riding a broomstick over clouds. The text reads: "A Visit to a Witch! Giving an account of the Hovel she resides in, the Fear she occasions in the Neighbourhood of it, And the curious charges brought against her before a Justice of the Peace." Below the illustration, it says: "London: Printed and sold by J. Evans and Sons, Long Lane, West Smithfield. Price One Penny." The paper is aged and slightly tattered around the edges, with handwritten library markings at the top.
October 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM
theul.bsky.social
Listen to two new choral works from the Timeline Choir inspired by our #CuriousCures exhibition! 🐀

‘A Charm Against Rats’ by composer Charlotte Baskerville is inspired by a 15th-century manuscript (@caiuscollege.bsky.social, MS 457/395, f. 1v).

Hear the full version: https://loom.ly/2fJO_xs
October 29, 2025 at 9:57 AM
theul.bsky.social
Half-term planning got you hot under the collar?

Fear not, our FREE exhibition on medieval medicine is here to keep you amused with all the leeches, urine flasks and weasel testicles you could ever wish for.

🔗Book now: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY

Image: MS O.1.20 @trincolllibcam.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM
theul.bsky.social
May this black cat bring you good fortune and fill your Monday morning with positive energy. ✨

#NationalBlackCatDay

Image: Black Cats are Lucky by A. Fielding (1937.7.2763)
A person is holding a 1930s crime fiction book in its original dust jacket. The cover artwork shows an illustration of a glamorous woman in a green evening dress. A black cat sits on her shoulder.
October 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
theul.bsky.social
When your cat is knighted for gallantry in mouse-catching and commissions a new coat of arms. 🐈🐁

Actually, these arms belonged to Sir Isaac Pennington (1745-1817). They were charmingly sketched by Richard Relhan (1797-1838).

Cambridge Antiquarian Society / CUL (Views.Relhan.78)
A detail from a traditional coat of arms. We see a silver tabby cat sitting atop a helmet.
October 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
theul.bsky.social
October was a busy time in the medieval agricultural calendar. It was the season to sow new crops, an essential job to ensure a plentiful harvest in the following year.

Image: 14th-century East Anglian Book of Hours (CUL MS Dd.4.17).

See it in the #CambridgeDigitalLibrary: https://loom.ly/IxlTgO8
Medieval manuscript illustration showing a man wearing a red tunic, black hat, and black shoes, standing within an architectural frame with a gold background. He is holding a bag or basket at his waist, sowing seeds with one hand. The image is part of a calendar manuscript page with red text visible on the right.
October 23, 2025 at 9:06 AM
theul.bsky.social
Ttakjibon (딱지본) are pocket-sized Korean novels featuring colorful illustrated covers. The name 'Ttakjibon' derives from 'Ttakji' (딱지),' a small disk used in a traditional children's game, which you might remember from Squid Game!

Pictured:
Ongnangja 옥낭자. FE.264.37
Sŏul, : Hyangminsa, 1978.
October 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theul.bsky.social
Get ready for a night of laughter and leeches! 😂🎭

Join us at the UL on 20 November for an evening of improv with The Cambridge Impronauts — inspired by our exhibition Curious Cures: Medicine in the Medieval World.

5.30-7pm. Tickets £5.
Book now: https://loom.ly/ctOh268
Poster for "Comedy Improv at the UL!" featuring a collaboration between Medieval Manuscripts and The Cambridge Impronauts. Includes images of a medieval illustration and an improv performance. University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives logo at the bottom.
October 21, 2025 at 1:05 PM
theul.bsky.social
⌛Time is running out for #CuriousCures!

Don't miss your chance to see these fascinating medieval medical books and manuscripts, which are rarely on display together.

📍Open 6 Dec 2025 at the UL
🔗Book your FREE ticket: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY

Image: @caiuscollege.bsky.social, MS 336/725
We see an open medieval manuscript on display. On one page, there is a series of rotating discs with detailed measurements and markings, including the sun and moon. On the opposite page, we see a medical diagram of a man.
October 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
theul.bsky.social
Rainy days and Mondays always get
Odysseus down 🐈🌧️

#CambridgeUniversityLibrary #Cambridge

Photos by Julian Fuller
An orange cat with a collar sits outside on a wet pavement, looking through a window on a cloudy day with trees and buildings blurred in the background An orange cat stands on a wet stone step, peering through the ornate metal and glass door of Cambridge University Library An orange tabby cat sits indoors on a patterned tile floor, looking toward a wooden bench and a door with frosted glass in the background
October 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
theul.bsky.social
We’re pleased to invite you to an event exploring Publish, Review, Curate (PRC) – a flexible and community-driven model for scholarly publishing.

📅 3 Dec 2025
📍 King’s College
🎟️Designed for Cambridge students, staff and researchers
🔗Book now: https://loom.ly/PG2zGn0
October 20, 2025 at 10:36 AM