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Mike Turpin of South Leeds Archaeology Group contacted the Section recently to say they are currently relaunching their activities and have a number of projects in place.

A major project is the conference in July, at Oakwell Hall, near Birstall and just off the M62.  The theme for this conference is the ‘The Future of Practical Archaeology and the Role of Community Volunteer Archaeologists’.  They are hoping to have an audience from both volunteer archaeologists and professionals in order to share views.  There are still some places left and an early booking is recommended.

They asked to help circulate details.

 

Both of interest to Medieval Section members 🙂

This summer’s society excursions are to Markenfield Hall, near Ripon, on 8 July, and York Minster on 3 September.

Markenfield is a moated medieval house near the presumed site of a village. It’s open for only a few weeks each year.

The York Minster visit is a private guided tour of the ground floor, with access to the Undercroft included in the price.

The visits each cost £10 and places are limited. Make your own transport arrangements, though there are possibilities for sharing lifts.

Enquiries to yas.excursion@gmail.com.

Download full details and the booking form :

Summer excursions 2016

Plans for events to mark 950 battles at Fulford and Stamford Bridge

July

• As a part of the Council for British Archaeology, festival of archaeology, starting on Saturday 16 July we will be digging at the ford to expose more of the ancient road and land surface of 1066
• When the dig is over on 31 July the site will be covered over to protect it from the weather and prepared to allow visitors to inspect the battle surface

August

• Open Fulford site with free public access to the archaeology.
• Site is open 11-4 every day but accessible outside these hours for unguided access
• Access is free but a £10 family ticket is planned for those wanting to take part in the dig
• A living history camp will be making items and talking to visitors
• Prepare tableaux of three battles with panels to explain the history and the battles

September

The site will remain open to visitors as long as weather conditions permit. The hope is to keep them open until the battle of Hastings in mid-October, weather and floods permitting, to maximise visitor opportunities

Saturday 17

• Riccall Rampage – 9.00 Talk at Riccall and Viking ‘breakfast’ when the walk reaches Fulford. The walk takes about 3 hours and is along paths and bike tracks
• Living history and site open all day with several battlefield walks during the day
• Workshop for school children make armour and paper weapons for the battle, 1-4
• Private feast for supporters and sponsors on the site starts at 5

Sunday 18

• 00 Judging the best dressed Viking prior to Children’s re-enactment of the battle
• 10 – 12.30 Battle on the playing fields with children and some Viking leaders. Parents must stay behind the barriers. Only children and Vikings allowed on the battlefield. Great photo opportunity as the battle moves back and forth on the surface where the battle was fought
• Living history and site open all day with several battlefield walks during the day

Monday 19

• Site will be configured to receive field trips from local schools

Tuesday 20  (950 anniversary)

• Dedicate the memorial for the warriors of the battle.
• Mid-day walk round the battlefield
• Focus will be on attracting media attention in the build up to the Stamford Bridge weekend

Wednesday 21

• 11-4 Brainstorm Conference “Where did the 1066 battles actually take place”
• Themed Poetry and music evening in Fulford

Thursday 22

• Tadcaster to Stamford Bridge ride & stride

Friday 23

• Embroidery day with dye workshop on site

Saturday 24

• Full day of events at SB including a battle
• Victors feast and celebration for warriors in the evening

Sunday 25  (950 anniversary)

• Second day of events at SB
• 5pm English Heritage ride to Hastings sets off from central York

October 15

• English Heritage commemorates 1066 at Battle Abbey with a massive re-enactment

 

Most events are free but they depend on http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/1066-battle-of-fulford/

The programme is still subject to change but these events are all being planned

http://groupspaces.com/FulfordBattlefieldSociety  and click the events tab for updates

 

28 April 2016

This Saturday, 2pm at Swarthmore, Stephen Sherlock will give a talk on Saxon burial rites in NE Yorkshire

Elizabeth van Houts, Honorary Professor in the Faculty of History, University of Cambridge

Date: 15-03-2016
Time: 17.30
Location: Nathan Bodington Council Chamber

As a result of modern historiographical conventions Cnut and William the Conqueror often find themselves discussed on either side of the 1066 divide in studies of medieval English history. The distortion resulting from such practice can easily wipe out the cumulative effect of evolving views on conquest by contemporaries. How did the survivors of Cnut’s regime react to William’s arrival? Did William’s entourage seek out advice from those who had witnessed Cnut in action? Can we gauge the awareness of the English around 1016 and 1066 as to what consequences of conquest were lying in store for them? Did they view the conqueror-rulers as foreigners from overseas threatening indigenous wealth and culture? Questions like these are not new, yet this commemorative year seems an appropriate point in time for us to ponder them, not least in view of our present discussion on England’s place in Europe.

‘Men, Again, in Early Medieval Studies: Gender, Masculinity, Literature and Culture’

Tuesday 24th November 2015 at 17.30

Speaker: Clare Lees, Professor of Medieval Literature and History of the Language, Department of English Language & Literature, King’s College, London)
Location: Council Chamber, Parkinson Building, University of Leeds.