Lemon and Grey Heritage Education

Looking forward to speaking at this event later this month!

There's nothing quite like getting together with fellow history buffs. Always something to learn!

Preparing for a new course in September - this time about supernatural and folk beliefs in the Middle Ages - when I noticed this oddity about my copy of Robert Bartlett's book. It doesn't have a title - or a blurb for that matter.

Some might say it's a printing mistake. Some might say Bartlett's work is so foundational it needs no introduction. My conclusion? Elves stole it.

To hear more about elves, monsters and the undead, stay tuned!

Such a fun afternoon at BMAG today with the Arts Society! When they approached me to give a guided tour of the Staffordshire Hoard gallery, I just about bit their hands off. I can talk about this stuff all day...

Did you know the Staffordshire Hoard helmet is one of only SIX Anglo-Saxon helmets still extant? The reconstruction they have in the gallery really is stunning.

Getting ready to do a one-off talk for a private group in Melbourne Derbyshire this evening 😁

So looking forward to this!

Why is it called Shenstone?

The manor of Shenstone is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Seneste”, one of many early spellings that eventually became Shenstone.

But, according to place-name scholars, the name is originally from two Old English elements: scēne and stān.

They believe that, over time, Scēnestān (pronounced SHAY-neh-stahn) would have evolved into the modern “Shenstone.”

The second part of Scēnestān is straightforward: stān means “stone!”

The first part, scēne, is a little more interesting. It had quite a broad semantic range, meaning "shiny," “bright,” “fair,” or “beautiful.”

So, Shenstone likely means something like “bright stone” or “beautiful stone.” Perhaps it referred to a notable rock, the quality of local stone, or simply a landmark that stood out.

There’s also another possibility. During the early medieval period, adjectives like scēne could sometimes be used as personal names. If that’s the case, Shenstone might once have meant “Scēne’s stone,” i.e. the stone belonging to Scēne.

Whether it was a stone or a person, the name probably began with something solid, visible, and worth remarking on!

There are only two places left for my guided tour of the Staffordshire Hoard gallery with The Arts Society on 7th May!

Places are first-come-first-served. If anyone is interested, you can email [email protected] for instructions on payment and how to join us.

I love talking about the Staffordshire Hoard. They might have to kick me out 😉

I've been delivering these to various places around Lichfield today - keep an eye out for them!

Starts 8th May
Fridays, 7:30pm -9:00pm
Cruck House, Lichfield, WS13 6BP
Book your place here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lemonandgreyheritage

What to do on such a sunny day? A projection equipment check for a talk I’m giving at the end of the month of course!

I speak at a variety of events around the Midlands and I like to have my own equipment on hand if the venue doesn’t have what I need. So, here I am lost in the Chi Ro page of the incredible Lindisfarne Gospels.

I will get out in the sunshine later! Enjoy everyone!