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New content this month
The Battle of Byland also took place on the 14th October, the same day as the Battle of Hastings, and at the event we talk to people about the changes in military tactics and equipment between the two, as well as discussing anything and everything Anglo-Saxon that visitors are interested to ask about! The event on 13th October was really well attended, and although the focus was on a battle from the 14th century, our stall had a lot of interest too. We provided children’s crafts, dressing up, a tabletop game and plenty of information and display items for anyone wanting to learn more about Anglo-Saxons.
The Yorkshire Gesithas also enjoyed a members’ calligraphy day on 26th October in York As we were commemorating the death of King Alfred in 899 CE we were provided with a line from his translation of the “Consolations of Philosophy” by Boethius:
“In short, I wanted to live honourably as long as I lived, and leave behind, for the people who would come after me, the memory of me in good works.”
Our teacher and guide was the delightful Dawn Burgoyne, a highly experienced early medieval calligrapher, and she patiently and expertly introduced us to the joys and challenges of writing in an English Vernacular Miniscule of Alfred’s period using a genuine quill and iron gall ink.
Our 2025 calendars are still available. Members can find details about how to order in Wiðowinde, or you can contact us via the contact page for information on ordering. The calendars cost £6 each but postage costs vary according to where you live, with examples of costs of calendar + postage below:
Postage for the UK is £9.19 for 1 calendar, £15.19 for 2 calendars and £21.19 for 3 calendars.
For Europe the cost of 1 calendar plus postage is
- £11.55 in Zone 1 (Denmark, France and Germany)
- £12.05 in Zone 2 (Austria)
- £12.45 in Zone 3 (Switzerland).
For the Rest of the World the cost of 1 calendar plus postage is £13.45 in all zones.
You can also pick up calendars at our events, and avoid postage costs.
Companions’ Events in 2024
Our public events have now ended for 2024 but members can still join in the regular social Zoom meetings. In addition Yorkshire Gesithas will be having a “Christmas” meal at the end of November, open to members in the area, visiting or local. See Wiðowinde for more information about joining these.
New members are always welcome and you can find out about membership options on our Joining page.
ICYMI
In case you missed it, here are some of the news items we have shared over the past few weeks:
The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland launched a new website “Exploring Names”
The site aims to provide some insights into the names that are all around us, the fascinating stories they tell about languages, peoples and landscapes, and the tools and methods that are used to study them.
Recordings of talk with Uppsala Books on Eostre and other Old Germanic Goddesses, as well as other previous events
Latest news on the Chew Valley Hoard:
A hoard of coins from the Norman Conquest valued at more than £4m has been acquired by a heritage charity, marking the highest value treasure to be acquired on record.
‘Unusual’ Anglo-Saxon replica of Roman coin has been found
Other events
12 November York Medieval Public Lecture
‘Our peculiar northern antiquity of speech’: Mary Powley of Langwathby (1811-1882), the Vikings in England, and Local Dialect” with Professor Matthew Townend, Department of English and Related Literature
14 November The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings in Yorkshire Conference
Organised by Pocklington District Heritage Trust, the conference will hear seven presentations illustrating the wealth of Anglo-Saxon and Viking Age archaeology within Eastern Yorkshire.