Category: Medieval

Guide: Fortified Barns in Yorkshire – A historical overview

Monastic Fortified tythe barn in Wenseydale

Even in a rural community of mainly farmers, there are often reasons to wish to build or create a structure that is for, at least in part, for defensive purposes. Thus, some barns in Yorkshire and other places can be seen to have “arrow slits”, and later, square “gun ports”. This article provides a brief overview of what these structures are, why they were built and how they were used.

Guide: The Ard – Early Ploughing in English Brigantia

Single Tyne Plough, Arba Minch

The ard, also known as a scratch plough, represents one of the earliest forms of agricultural technology used by the people of ancient Brigantia.

Guide: In Depth – Church Doors and Windows

Stanwick St John East window

The placement of church doors and windows, including the absence of eastern doors, reflects both theological symbolism and practical architectural traditions

The names Cambre, Cambria, Cumbria, and Cymru

Castlerigg- Hutchinson's History of Cumberland

The similarities between the names Cambre, Cambria, Cumbria, and Cymru (the native Welsh name for Wales) have been noted by linguists and historians, particularly when exploring Indo-European and Celtic roots.

The Border Reivers

The Border Reivers were a formidable force in the history of Britain, particularly during the tumultuous period from the late 13th century to the early 17th century. These raiders, hailing from both Scottish and English descent, operated along the Anglo-Scottish border, a region marked by constant strife and conflict.

Early Christian syncretism and how the old ones hid amongst the new religion

Syncretism is where two or more differing beliefs become merged. In England, this first happened under Roman rule, where many pre-existing Celtic shrines to specific deities were associated with Roman deities of the same qualities or attributes. Based on extensive research, I am now confident that in Britain, the early Christians undertook a similar process and with that knowledge, we should be able to reverse engineer, to some extent, our local Brigantian Celtic pantheons.

The Lawson-Tancred family

The Lawson-Tancred family, with its roots deeply embedded in English history, boasts several notable figures who have made significant contributions to their fields and society. The lineage of the family can be traced back to the Norman Conquest, with Richard Tankard, who owned lands at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire shortly after this pivotal event in English history.

Noble or Royal Houses and the House of Hauteville

This article introduces the concept of houses that embody a dynasty of influence and control, driven by feudal and familial responsibilities and agreements. It explores how houses worked during this period and examines the response by the Brigantian people to this increase in control by the Normans.

The Premonstratensians

The Premonstratensians, emerging in the early 12th century, represent a unique blend of monastic traditions and clerical duties. Founded by St. Norbert of Xanten in Prémontré, France, this order of canons regular adopted the Rule of St. Augustine but infused it with the rigorous asceticism reminiscent of the Cistercian way of life.

William Malet

William Malet was a notable figure in 11th-century Norman England, holding significant positions within the Norman forces that occupied England after the 1066 conquest.

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