Medieval
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Magic, Medicine, Miracles: How Reading Abbey Helped to Invent Halloween
by Professor Anne Lawrence-Mathers On Saturday 27 October, I had the privilege of giving a public lecture for the Friends of Reading Abbey, in the presence of the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Debs Edwards. The event took place in St… Continue reading
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Reading Welcomes the Summer (in the manner of c. 1218!)
by Prof Anne Lawrence The manuscript in this image (below), now British Library Ms. Harley 978, was once owned by Reading Abbey, and contains an eclectic mixture of texts, including the poems of a twelfth-century author and performer now known… Continue reading
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The Long Read: Saint Guinefort the Holy Greyhound
by Dr Rebecca Rist In April 1988 the New York Times published a review of Suzanne Schiffman and Paméla Berger’s film Sorceress (French version Le Moine et la Sorcière), which debuted at the 68th Street Playhouse. It described it as… Continue reading
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19th December 1154: Henry II and the Hand of St James
by Dr Ruth Salter 836 years ago, on a day much like this (possibly), Henry II was crowned at Westminster Abbey. His predecessor (and uncle), Stephen, had died just under two months earlier, much of his reign having been taken… Continue reading
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History Talking: Series 1
Lancelot in conversation with a lady who is holding a small black and white dog. British Library MS. Royal 4 E.iii, fol. 146r. History Talking: Series 1 Presented by Dr Ruth Salter, produced by Dr Richard Blakemore. Continue reading
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