Adam Chapman
@DrAdamChapman
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Medieval historian interested in Wales, Somerset exile, inept cricketer, General Editor of @vch_london , part of @CHPPC_IHR & @ihr_history . Views & typos own.
England
Joined August 2014
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I've been hugely honoured to guest on the amazing You're Dead To Me podcast with the wonderful
@kiripritchardmc
and
@greg_jenner
talking about the 'Tudors' before they were, er, Tudors, the Welsh prequel, if you like.
Give it a listen!
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One of the real challenges for any medievalist is to visualise the intensity of colour of the medieval world - our instinct is not to believe it, to divorce the weathered and restored remains of that period we experience from what their creators would have seen.
The gothic West Front of Wells Cathedral - with c.300 carved figures - in medieval times was painted vibrant colours. Also I learned today of the “Singing Galleries” behind the sculptures: so that trumpets & choirs could play thru apertures, amazing the citizens below. Incredible
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Apropos of absolutely nothing, this vehicle has a 23 plate, and that means the owner has a brand new combine harvester, and we’re in Somerset, so… 🎼
In related news, wife has threatened to drop me in the nearest lay-by.
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Perfectly appropriate, but ‘croeso’ was not a word I was expecting to find on a London doorstep.
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Dear
#Archives
,
Would you ALL please, please, please, have a simple link straight to your online catalogue search page from your website front pages. Thank you.
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Among other things, this is a really nice illustration of the changes in post-war farming. How so? Then read on. 🧵
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Prof. Emma Griffin,
@RoyalHistSoc
“For reasons of cost, many students need to study at their local university. Understanding our own past shouldn’t be a luxury pursuit for the privileged few, and we think that everyone should have a history option.”
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A worthwhile blog, in which
@davidallengreen
- very politely - makes the point that we need a grown up conversation about European relationships, and suggests that Mr Tugendhat does not. Yes, this does pander to my view of my MP, but it’s an important read.
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Especially for
@SilenceInPolish
, but probably not coming to a Lego shop anytime soon.
#TractorCommentary
🚜
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This Friday afternoon, an author whose name was utterly wasted on his material.
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This needs a detailed post-mortem:
1. why was a train cancelled at Preston without letting the train crew know first?
2. Did it really have to be? Finding buses at that kind of notice is impossible.
3. The Preston cab licensing authority needs to look at this, urgently.
I’m not quite sure how to explain what’s happened tonight, because it’s still happening - but here goes…
At 4:40pm I jumped on a train from London to Edinburgh..
It was comfy, it was quiet
In hindsight, too good to last…
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Unwitting international commentary from the two-year-old:
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‘Found’ doing a lot of work for ‘catalogued as part of a private archive deposited and safeguarded in a professional, local authority archive since 1956’. ‘
‘Found’ = ‘on a publicly accessible web catalogue with included the salient detail - its in parchment’, by researchers.
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What’s this? Yes, it’s the
#Tudors
before they were, er, Tudors. Me on the Welsh origins of the Tudor dynasty in BBC History magazine.
Including Henry VIII’s Welsh patronym.
#twitterstorians
#HanesCymru
#WelshHistory
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Is there a (real) topographical name anywhere more pleasing than Withycombe Scruffets?
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I admit, I watched the service almost entirely for this moment which is, genuinely, medieval.
The Lord Chamberlain performs his final duty, he breaks his Wand of Office and places the pieces on the coffin
This symbolic ritual has never before been seen by the public
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A beautiful sight, movement stilled and a reminder that photography can seem like magic because this is a picture the human eye isn't built to capture.
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I've been cycling on the roads for most of the last 30 years and this increase in vehicle width is something you don't necessarily pick up on consciously but does make a huge difference.
When I was born, in 1971, there were 10 million cars in the UK, with an average width of 1.55m. Now there are 32m cars, with an average width of 1.94m.
32m big cars, parked up 96% of the time.
Our roads are clogged with big, parked cars.
MT:
@susanclaris
Graphic via
@Tsrognitram
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In other news, the arms of King’s Lynn borough council are stonking. Look at those supporters - the Falcon and the Herring Gull - the pelican in her piety, lovely.
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I find it slightly incredible that this isn't bigger news - imagine the M42 being closed on an indefinite basis because of bridge failure (ok, it's the ground that's given way here); would that be making national headlines? I rather think it might.
⚠️We are working hard to get the railway open again between Didcot Parkway and Oxford
🚧Nuneham Viaduct is unsafe for train traffic at this time and will be closed for some weeks - please check before you travel
📽️Watch below for more information:
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Really very strange for me to be able to pick the 'Arundel Herald Extrordinary' out of a crowd, but when it's your erstwhile PhD supervisor,
@AnneAgincourt
, I have a head start...
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Exactly 10 years ago, I started what I thought would be a two-year job
@VCH_London
and
@ihr_history
. A decade, and 26 (and counting) VCH books, and five and a half offices later, I'm still at it, have worked, and work, with some wonderful people. It's still fun. Thanks all.
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One of those fun things about Edward I's Welsh Castles is that they were *always* falling down - when the Black Prince inherited them in 1343, the surveys surviving from that time are utterly damning of how badly they were built and their state of repair, at just 50 years old.
This drawing depicts Conwy castle in North Wales and probably dates from 1539–40. In 1539 reports found Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech ‘much ruinous and ferre [far] in decay for lacke of timely reparacons.’
Cotton MS Augustus I ii 54
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I’ve discovered that my lovely wife and in-laws have been secretly sorting out the allotment that lockdown and home working/toddler parenting forgot and that I’d been too depressed about to sort (again) myself.
I’m a little emotional to be honest.
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Top scone from the Anglicans at Walsingham. That’s a standard miniature jam jar for scale.
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This reads like something scripted by Gerald of Wales and directed by Hitchcock:
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As it's the feast of Saint Crispin or Crispian, it's also
#Agincourt
day and inevitably as someone who's written and thought about Wales and Agincourt more than most, here's a few thoughts (and a spot of mythbusting, because, well, there's a lot about). 1/n🏴
#Twitterstorians
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Glen is a huge loss. The first person I met at the IHR when I started there, a consistently cheerful, sometimes cheeky, always helpful. And a friend. I’ll miss him.
I've just been informed of the passing of former Institute of Historical Research (IHR) receptionist and
@IWGBunion
activist Glen Jacques. His family have asked for donations in his memory to Bowel Cancer UK or Kidney Research UK
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Well, this is a new slide for any lecture I give on devotional buildings...
This week, we have opened a new multi-faith area in the free waiting zone.
Located just off the Silver Zone roundabout, the new area provides customers with a private space to reflect and pray whilst waiting to collect friends, family or loved ones.
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Well. This is not the sort of regime change I had in mind.
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@tcmurray
Here it is in the late 19th century. Lots of buildings, some on sites documented in the Middle Ages, and all sorts of water intensive industries but almost no residences.
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I don't necessarily agree with all of Mick Lynch's analysis (and Nick Robinson's lack of understanding of the rail industry - not unique - means this is an interview at cross purposes), but Lynch's point that there is no government transport policy *at all* is spot on.
#R4Today
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Not the arms on an ennobled Baldrick, but they should be.
On a churchcrawl with
@last_of_england
and we discovered stained glass of a turnip at Lammas, Norfolk
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Probably the one date range without an established theory to support it - and there are many from the Iron Age to 17th century - and that’s no bad thing. That’s how research moves on what we know: you could call it ‘rewriting history’.
After 12 months of scientific sediment analysis jointly funded by
@NationalTrust
, the University of Gloucestershire, Allen Environmental Archaeology & the Pratt Bequest, the results are in & it turns out that the
#CerneAbbasGiant
is....
#EarlyMedieval
in origin!
#GiantNews
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Ok, that's quite enough - it's my birthday, I've taken the day off and the sun's peeking out. There's not a lot to do, but it's time to get away from the screen.
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A pleasant surprise when I was in the office yesterday.
On the stairs, among the
@ihr_history
directors and the illustrious women historians is an addition, a portrait of Glen Jacques, our much-missed colleague. Go well, old friend.
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#LocalHistory
(and people who can't admit to it) people!
In the day job with
@CHPPC_IHR
we've put together a selection of *FREE* online training sessions over the autumn from proper experts on mapping, historic settlement, buildings & more. Take a look!
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There were no end of medieval chroniclers that would proclaim this a miracle, and a sigh of God’s mercy which it is, I suppose, but whether those neighbours who’ve lost their homes see it in those terms is doubtful.
Wennington church stands, apparently undamaged, while the churchyard was entirely burnt
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#bbcbh
I'm listing to the sound of Sir Peter Bottomley treating the public with contempt. If someone is incapable of providing care for their child, they are surely incapable of driving 250 miles.
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Looks at his draft article involving texts in four languages, that's required detailed understanding of administrative practice and literary traditions, topography and contemporary nationalism.
Tries to square that with the word *soft*.
Exits, muttering.
An important and welcome move - University and Arts Council in drive to re-brand 'soft' academic subjects
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Really enjoyed doing this and you might too.
Where were the 'Tudors' from, why do I insist on scarequotes with the name, can I get through lots of Welsh names and two hundred years of Anglo-Welsh history without making a fool of myself?
Tune in to find out!
#HanesCymry
NEW EPISODE!!! We break our long held “No Tudors!” rule, and go in search of how a Welsh family ended up in power. It’s a fun romp, and our guests are
@kiripritchardmc
&
@DrAdamChapman
#YoureDeadToMe
@BBCSounds
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Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!
And yes, this means Welsh cakes with breakfast.
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Ploughed out ridge and furrow? What ploughed out ridge and furrow?
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In 1274. For four years, following a prolonged dispute between the monks and the city over property boundaries and jurisdiction.
This is possibly the most 'Norwich' thing I can imagine.
Famous for its pubs and churches, Norwich is also the only English city to have been entirely excommunicated by the Pope
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Firstly, congratulations to everyone who's received their A Level results today.
Secondly, your periodic reminder that the 'Russell Group' has no meaningful academic distinction (it's a members' club).
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A reminder: historians can't necessarily remember dates, geographers may struggle with maps, archaeologists don't always dig (I'll let you extend this to other disciplines), and so on.
Common misconceptions about historians: just because I study history, it doesn't mean my house is full of old stuff and antiques.
(Unless its books...)
And I do more than remember dates too
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Put this down to a newborn in the house, but my historian's brain is screaming "Why pigs and cattle and not sheep (which actually do landscape-scale movement for a range of reasons), rather than pigs/cattle which, by and large, do not?"
Thérèse Coffey just told a lunch for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation “I’m frankly fed up with the right to roam campaign. The only things that have rights to roam are farmers, their pigs and cattle.”
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@jpwarchaeology
I've heard variants of 1) for Windsor (but have heard it secondhand of Harlech and Conwy - railway - Buck' Palace and others).
My favourite comes from a former Canterbury verger who told me that she had Americans ask her if they could see where *Samuel* Beckett was *shot*.
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@Julestheteacher
@tcmurray
It’s something that
@VCH_London
have done (declaration of interest here, I’m it’s editor, but
@eric_180uk
and
@AimerMedia
are the brains behind it). It’s called ‘A History of English Places’ - more about it and our tie in with
#FestivalofArchaeology
here:
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The boy has taken his cornflakes to the window so he can watch the Swallows.
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It pleases me greatly, that among the usual livestock recorded on the demesne of the dean and chapter of St Pauls manor of Thorpe-le-Soken in the early 13th century were 'and old cat, and two kittens'.
Even better, is that
@Essex_VCH
include this in their text.
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So pleased to see this published - it's a huge achievement from
@VCHOxfordshire
(though, having had the privilege to read the volume as series editor, I should declare an interest).
I think this is the 243rd big red book from
@VCH_London
, and it's a good'n.
The latest Red Book is here! VCH Oxford: Volume XX The South Oxfordshire Chilterns: Caversham, Goring, and Area is a unique multi-disciplinary study of a key part of the Oxfordshire Chilterns over a thousand years, based on intensive new research.
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Revisiting undergrad field trips. William D’Albini reminds you that he married well at Castle Rising. By copying Norwich Castle.
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This really is a terrific book. If you’re remotely interested in medieval Wales (or serious about understanding medieval Britain) you should treat yourself to a copy.
'Stephenson successfully challenges the enduring paradigm of the Gwynedd-led evolution of one Wales, and paints a more complex, multi-dimensional picture.' Use code MEDIEVAL20 for 20% off
#medieval
#wales
#medievalhistory
#medievalmonday
#welshhistory
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Morning! With
#ENGvWAL
later, I spoke to
@thehistoryguy
about a (much) earlier Anglo-Welsh conflict, the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr, Henry V, Agincourt (football may have been alluded to, very briefly) for
@HistoryHit
.
You can download it, or listen, here:
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Right. That's another
@VCH_London
volume off to
@boydellbrewer
. Splendid work from my colleagues
@VCHOxfordshire
and
@RuthSlatter
.
And now, tea. And perhaps a biscuit.
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The (checks notes) Daily Star (again, seriously), speaks and I find myself agreeing.
Do I need help? Asking for a country.
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An unworthy thought, but my first instinct was to check that this wasn’t a parish
@VCH_London
have underway (and relief!), but how exciting!
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It’s a great image, but what does it show? A chalk pit, part of the cement industry, with what was modernish mechanical handling in the form of a narrow gauge tramway (moved about as quarrying demanded). The poles presumably carry an internal phone line.
The Cement Pit, Eric Ravilious, 1934. One of two cements pits near Furlongs in East
#Sussex
. The original artwork is in a private collection.
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This is a remarkable thing - a massive high status 12th century building under the floor. And I've seen it!
Secret Norwich: today’s treat was to be allowed access to the Norman House, the remains of a flint building from the 1170s hidden beneath the Magistrates Court and reached by a spiral staircase under a trap door!
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This is, in my little world, really important and significant news. Historic Environment Records are hugely valuable to historians, archaeologists, planners (and many others). This new status and statutory support should be widely welcomed!
CIfA is delighted that the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill has received Royal Assent. This means that Historic Environment Records will have statutory status, securing their role in the new digital planning system.
#CIfAadvocacy
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A very interesting case study, which I probably wouldn't have read about, unless...
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A Christmas present to myself - a big thing off the to do list.
Coming soon(ish) - we have just sent the files that will become our next
#BigRedBook
with
@SomersetVch
which will cover
#Minehead
and
#Dunster
and the surrounding area to our friends
@boydellbrewer
(a sort of early Christmas present). Look out for it next year!
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It's quite something when a learned history society remembers someone who was not a historian.
But Glen Jacques was part of historical research for anyone who visited the IHR.
@Mellino
@IWGBunion
Glen was a friend to so many historians who visited the
@ihr_history
. He was extremely kind, helpful and cheerful: sharing a joke with Glen was one of the joys of any IHR visit. He was the nicest of people who made the Institute a better place. We will miss him deeply.
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The toddler has been to 'Pirate Day' at nursery.
Imagine my disappointment to learn that no merchant shipping has been inconvenienced and that he has failed to run down the Channel chased by a Customs Cutter.
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This is up there with the letter from the officials of the Black Prince, c.1344 when newly invested as Prince of Wales, telling him that Anglesey is an island, to which they felt they needed to add the information that is was 'completely surrounded by the sea.'
Anyway here’s a video of the man in charge of Brexit negotiations saying he’s only just realised that a lot of our food arrives by boat
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Patching this inner tube has passed from the realms of prudence and into the province of extreme optimism.
#NewTube
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What's desperately needed (beyond junking the blasted thing) is a detailed investigation into how such a ^&**ing inaccurate pile of manure ever got developed and passed without going in front of someone with a history GCSE in the first place.
I'm prepping for the
#LifeInTheUK
test. As a
#Polish
person, I find the tone of this question jarring, to say the least. The prescribed answer is TRUE.
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So, let me get this right: drivers qualified to drive artics who won't have been tested on their abilities to manoeuvre in reverse or to couple/uncouple safely having got there straight from a car license.
That defies belief.
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Anyway, we're now in full self-isolation mode.
Two adults who can't smell and a toddler. What could possibly go wrong?
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Today's post is this beautiful map showing the patchwork of field strips in West Field in Caldicot is taken from John Foord’s book, c. late 18th C (D25/1972).
For more info, visit
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Dad (and some of his mates) was making this point - the obvious one, really - about how pay negotiations work to me just the other day. I wonder how much this comes of so many politicians having such narrow sets of experiences?
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On 11 April I'll be giving the annual Maurice Bond Lecture for
@BritRecs
hosted by
@LdnMetArchives
.
The title is 'Placing Archives: The Victoria County History and archival landscapes'.
Admission free, booking essential, hope to see some of you there:
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On Tilney Street, beneath what was the office of James Bond producer, Cubby Broccoli, the most famous(?) lamppost in London: the KGB’s favoured dead letter drop…
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For those who missed the
@ihr_history
event remembering Susan Reynolds, recordings of the many fulsome and fascinating contributions about Susan's life and career are available here:
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Drove ways (such as this one) are a characteristic feature of ancient wetland-adjacent landscapes - one for
@DrSueOosthuizen
- and ditches do a hedge's job perfectly well.
Someone said they wanted to see what 500 sheep looked like on the move, well here you go! No fancy hedges or country lanes here, I farm in the fens so its flat lands & big dykes, this was when it was going well, we got to our destination eventually but it was a challenge 🙈🐑
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Your reminder that Wells, Somerset, is where 'Hot Fuzz' was shot, and, if anything, they weren't trying hard enough.
It’s Wells Carnival tonight!
Kicking off proceedings is Mr Blobby in an armoured vehicle, of course.
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When are they proposing to start?
Steve Baker - "I believe the Conservative Party is the only party capable of giving us good government" 🤣
#BBCBreakfast
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So that's the main route from Reading to Oxford (and north towards Birmingham from the south coast - a key freight corridor too) totally stuffed for months.
This sort of failure is basically down to investment failure over a long term.
Nuneham viaduct update: I’m hearing no trains will run until early June, after which a temporary structure will allow at least limited low speed services. After that, a permanent repair to the existing structure is proposed.
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@Phil_M_Barrett
What a pompous little message. I'm sorry Phil, that is not a professional response, which rather undermines their statement, doesn't it?
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@redhistorian
And, even placing that to one side (which I struggle with, that's his attitude and it comes across repeatedly, and strongly), the fact that public transport is only effective (i.e., majority of modal share) in one city in the country is a valid political question.
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You can find me (assuming you want to, of course) elsewhere as well as here. Come and say hello.
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I'm not saying that the boy is enjoying my birthday, but he has cake in his eyebrows.
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Now that I've registered for
@IMC_Leeds
for this July, I'll be speaking on how you make a rebellion (and resistance to it) work in late medieval Wales. Do come along.
Thanks to
@Amy_Reyns
and
@RingingaBell
for coordinating the strand on Medieval Wales, too!
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A particularly nice example (and Herefordshire is cruck-frame central).
A cruck frame house is where the main structure is made of crooked or curved timber (traditionally cheaper than straight timber) sawn in half to provide perfectly symmetrical posts carrying the weight of the bldg. from roof to ground. Here is one in Hacton, Hereford, ca 15th c.
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@coreen_anne
@CathrynPearce
CTRL + alt + f to insert a footnote is something I wish I'd known years ago. Staves off mouse-related RSI...
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Can we call a church cute? Bless it's timber belfry/porch combo.
The church at Little Hampden, Buckinghamshire. A 13th-century church, with a 15th-century timber-frame belfry porch. Love those curvy braces.
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The point - which Justin Webb doesn't get - of Network Rail staff striking at Christmas is that's when the time-critical engineering work gets done. It's the obvious time for employers to exert pressure and, likewise, the union.
Yes, it's a pain, but what d'you expect?
#R4Today
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Just sent a book from my colleagues
@Essex_VCH
to press with
@boydellbrewer
.
We can chalk this up as a Good start to the week. 📕
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Huge thanks to the excellent Karina at Hildenborough ticket office,
@Se_Railway
. Her knowledge of the fare system has just saved me money and made my week’s journeys more flexible (no online, app, or machine option could have offered that information).
#TicketOffices
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@rosmiquel
@steffaniwdavies
Tastes did change: iconoclasm in the 16th and 17th centuries destroyed a lot. Interior decor was obliterated with whitewash (which is how some have survived, ironically). Add neglect, restoration and 500 years of wear into the mix and it's no wonder there's so little left.
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