North Ages

July 16: Feast of Plechelm (Pechthelm) (C8th), Northumbrian who joined saints Wiro and Odger on pilgrimage to Rome and in their missionary work in Frisia. Pepin of Herstal gave them land at Sint Odiliënberg, where they built a church and small monastery. 📸Bert Kaufmann

July 24: Feast of Blathmac mac Flainn (†825), prior or acting abbot of Iona. He was guardian of the relics of Columba during the absence of Abbot Diarmait, and was murdered by Vikings. 📸August Schwerdfeger

Oswulf son of Eadberht died #OTD in 759, months after succeeding his father as king of the Northumbrians. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that he was killed 'by members of his household'. Later sources give his place of death as Wicstun (Market Weighton, East Yorkshire).

Amusing quote from this book: 'I came across Vogler's (and thus Campbell's) work when I was a young script-reader myself and I dismissed it fairly abruptly. I was working on EastEnders and simply couldn't see how a hero's journey could apply to Pauline Fowler in the launderette.'

The Wharton Hoard was discovered by a detectorist at Wharton, near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, #OTD in 2017. It comprises 37 copper pennies, known as stycas, from C9th Northumbria. 📸British Museum

An excavation at High Tarns Farm, Silloth, Cumbria, led by Grampus Heritage and Training began #OTD in 2024. Archaeologists and volunteers discovered a large hall, charcoal production pit and corn dryer, pictured, from the late Viking Age. 📸Grampus Heritage

Paulinus, an Italian, was consecrated bishop of York #OTD in 625. He baptised many Northumbrians including King Edwin, his daughter Eanflæd and Hild of Whitby in 627. He once spent 36 days with the king and queen at Gefrin (Yeavering) catechising and baptising. 📸English Heritage

Dub mac Maíl Choluim, former king of Alba, was killed 'by the Scots themselves' at Forres, Moray, #OTD in 967. In 965, he had battled his ultimate successor Cuilén mac Ilduilb. Donnchad, abbot of Duncalden (Dunkeld, Perthshire), died in the clash.

Helluva show.

Diocese of Durham to decide future of 1,000-year-old church in Billingham. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Not me transporting a stick – actually more of a log – from a Northumberland beach to Dundee because this nutter wouldn't part with it.

My latest blog deal with research in Huntly on a lost Pictish fort! open.substack.com/pub/stirlingar…

July 18: Feast of Teneu (Thenew, Enoch) (C6th), mother of Kentigern – both patrons of Glasgow. Lothian princess cast out after being raped and falling pregnant, she found sanctuary with St Serf in Culross, Fife. There she had her son, also known as Mungo. 📸Mark Worst

Recently received this exciting new book, I really hope the tourist shops stock it. There aren't many quality books on Gaelic Scotland suitable for this kind of audience from real experts like Coinneach Maclean : acairbooks.com/books/travels-…

A mini adventure in the Farne Islands.

Edward the Elder, king of the Anglo-Saxons, died at Fearndune (Farndon, Cheshire), #OTD in 924. In 909, this son of Alfred the Great had ‘ravaged’ Northumbria over five weeks and, in 922, had sent Mercian levies to occupy, repair and garrison the fort at Mamecestre (Manchester).

Pehtwine succeeded Frithowald as bishop of Candida Casa / Hwit Aerne, ‘White House’, (Whithorn, Galloway) #OTD in 763 – the same day that Badwulf succeeded Æthelberht in the diocese in 791. 📸AOC Archaeology

Headline written by Nelly's great-grandfather.

The first pieces of the Lews Castle Hoard were discovered by detectorist Austin Hepburn at the Stornoway site #OTD in 1988. The Viking-Age hacksilver was wrapped in a linen cloth with fragments from two coins from Normandy and placed in a horn. 📸National Museums Scotland

Æthelstan, king of the Anglo-Saxons, ‘succeeded to the kingdom of the Northumbrians’ #OTD in 927 and, at Eamont, Cumbria, received oaths from rulers including Causantín II of Alba, Ealdred of Bebbanburg (Bamburgh) and possibly Owain of Strat Clut (Strathclyde). 📸Athelstan Museum