@johncolby.bsky.social
Retired, formerly Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University
Blog.
... I have to start physical measuring of frontages and hope not to get arrested. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/09/p...
... I have to start physical measuring of frontages and hope not to get arrested. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/09/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-249 – mapping burgage – market place movement
Postcards from the Past 2026-249 – mapping burgage – market place movement I’m starting to consolidate maps using QGIS. As I go I’ll be determining other bits of research I have e to do…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 9, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Blog.
... I have to start physical measuring of frontages and hope not to get arrested. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/09/p...
... I have to start physical measuring of frontages and hope not to get arrested. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/09/p...
Blog.
... tourney combatants ended up extremely rich, extremely poor or extremely dead. I don’t think that would go down too well at the conference - think of the paperwork! ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/08/p...
... tourney combatants ended up extremely rich, extremely poor or extremely dead. I don’t think that would go down too well at the conference - think of the paperwork! ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/08/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-248 – games – for want of a better description
Postcards from the Past 2026-248 – games – for want of a better description I went to a talk about Medieval Pastimes by Peter Liddle and Richard Knox this afternoon, part of their six t…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 8, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Blog.
... tourney combatants ended up extremely rich, extremely poor or extremely dead. I don’t think that would go down too well at the conference - think of the paperwork! ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/08/p...
... tourney combatants ended up extremely rich, extremely poor or extremely dead. I don’t think that would go down too well at the conference - think of the paperwork! ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/08/p...
Blog.
... went to a lecture this morning - the diabetic nurse gave me some direct advice. The bum and the sofa are too familiar with each other ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/07/p...
... went to a lecture this morning - the diabetic nurse gave me some direct advice. The bum and the sofa are too familiar with each other ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/07/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-247 – masons
Postcards from the Past 2026-247 – masons Masons are the key to any medieval building. Usually part of a guild or lodge, there was a hierarchy of skills, probably jealously guarded to maintai…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 7, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Blog.
... went to a lecture this morning - the diabetic nurse gave me some direct advice. The bum and the sofa are too familiar with each other ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/07/p...
... went to a lecture this morning - the diabetic nurse gave me some direct advice. The bum and the sofa are too familiar with each other ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/07/p...
Blog.
... I’m hoping that this will give me more insight into the extent of the landholdings in medieval times so that I can assess who had the money to build the church as this is becoming less clear as I read more. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/05/p...
... I’m hoping that this will give me more insight into the extent of the landholdings in medieval times so that I can assess who had the money to build the church as this is becoming less clear as I read more. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/05/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-244 – inconclusive research
Postcards from the Past 2026-244 – inconclusive research Some very inconclusive research today. I have limited my research timeframe to the period before 1567. This is necessary as I really d…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 5, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Blog.
... I’m hoping that this will give me more insight into the extent of the landholdings in medieval times so that I can assess who had the money to build the church as this is becoming less clear as I read more. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/05/p...
... I’m hoping that this will give me more insight into the extent of the landholdings in medieval times so that I can assess who had the money to build the church as this is becoming less clear as I read more. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/05/p...
Blog.
... It seems that many people identify ancient music with the crumhorn, perhaps because of its distinctive shape, and it sounds like they think ancient music should sound like ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/03/p...
... It seems that many people identify ancient music with the crumhorn, perhaps because of its distinctive shape, and it sounds like they think ancient music should sound like ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/03/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-243 – International Crumhorn Day
Postcards from the Past 2026-243 – International Crumhorn Day When the York Waits gave their Christmas Concert last year, one of the things they mentioned was that there are more crumhorns ar…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 3, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Blog.
... It seems that many people identify ancient music with the crumhorn, perhaps because of its distinctive shape, and it sounds like they think ancient music should sound like ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/03/p...
... It seems that many people identify ancient music with the crumhorn, perhaps because of its distinctive shape, and it sounds like they think ancient music should sound like ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/03/p...
Blog.
... I’m going to try to borrow this for next year’s conference. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/p...
... I’m going to try to borrow this for next year’s conference. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-242 – four thousand years of pot
Postcards from the Past 2026-242 – four thousand years of pot A visit in the company of Vaughan College to the exhibition in Market Harborough Museum about the Leicestershire and Rutland Fiel…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 2, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Blog.
... I’m going to try to borrow this for next year’s conference. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/p...
... I’m going to try to borrow this for next year’s conference. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/p...
Blog.
... as we haven’t had one of some time, an arty-farty sunset from Wellsborough. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/01/p...
... as we haven’t had one of some time, an arty-farty sunset from Wellsborough. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/01/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-241 – pilgrims
Postcards from the Past 2026-241 – pilgrims Talk by Peter Liddle at Leicester Guildhall today about Medieval Pilgrimage. Loads of information, including local finds of pilgrim souvenir badges…
johncolby.wordpress.com
October 1, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Blog.
... as we haven’t had one of some time, an arty-farty sunset from Wellsborough. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/01/p...
... as we haven’t had one of some time, an arty-farty sunset from Wellsborough. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/10/01/p...
Blog.
... from a former student I haven't seen in more than two decades ... I'm guessing you are doing all this work in retirement John because you don't have an off switch. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/30/p...
... from a former student I haven't seen in more than two decades ... I'm guessing you are doing all this work in retirement John because you don't have an off switch. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/30/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-240 – arrow stones mythbusting – measurement planning
Postcards from the Past 2026-240 – arrow stones mythbusting – measurement planning In the continuing research, a book came yesterday, pressie from son and daughter in law, the author of…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 30, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Blog.
... from a former student I haven't seen in more than two decades ... I'm guessing you are doing all this work in retirement John because you don't have an off switch. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/30/p...
... from a former student I haven't seen in more than two decades ... I'm guessing you are doing all this work in retirement John because you don't have an off switch. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/30/p...
Blog.
... This evening Evri delivered a parcel containing pots of liquid, by air mail - they threw it over the back gate. There was no knock on the door, just the bump of something landing outside and an email photo of the crash site taken over the gate. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/29/p...
... This evening Evri delivered a parcel containing pots of liquid, by air mail - they threw it over the back gate. There was no knock on the door, just the bump of something landing outside and an email photo of the crash site taken over the gate. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/29/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-239 – archaeology circle – airmail delivery
Postcards from the Past 2026-239 – archaeology circle – airmail delivery Third meeting of the archaeology circle today where we had a guided tour of the Jewry Wall Museum. The guide is …
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 29, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Blog.
... This evening Evri delivered a parcel containing pots of liquid, by air mail - they threw it over the back gate. There was no knock on the door, just the bump of something landing outside and an email photo of the crash site taken over the gate. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/29/p...
... This evening Evri delivered a parcel containing pots of liquid, by air mail - they threw it over the back gate. There was no knock on the door, just the bump of something landing outside and an email photo of the crash site taken over the gate. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/29/p...
Blog.
... scores recycled - It seems that the original collector was doing what I do, raid second hand bookshops and library withdrawals has they appear to be from across the country. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/27/p...
... scores recycled - It seems that the original collector was doing what I do, raid second hand bookshops and library withdrawals has they appear to be from across the country. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/27/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-237 – more medieval smells – and medieval music scores
Postcards from the Past 2026-237 – more medieval smells – and medieval music scores Cheapskate that I am I resent paying inflated garden centre prices for very small plants. Therefore I…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 27, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Blog.
... scores recycled - It seems that the original collector was doing what I do, raid second hand bookshops and library withdrawals has they appear to be from across the country. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/27/p...
... scores recycled - It seems that the original collector was doing what I do, raid second hand bookshops and library withdrawals has they appear to be from across the country. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/27/p...
Blog.
... In mixing the soils I had a piece of music in mind ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/26/p...
... In mixing the soils I had a piece of music in mind ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/26/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-236 – unsuspecting lavenders
Postcards from the Past 2026-236 – unsuspecting lavenders Latest victims for murder by attempted horticulture arrived this morning by post – they look very healthy plant plugs – l…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 26, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Blog.
... In mixing the soils I had a piece of music in mind ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/26/p...
... In mixing the soils I had a piece of music in mind ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/26/p...
Blog.
... I feel a trip to Northumbria coming on. And to Northamptonshire. And Peterborough. And … and … and … rabbit holes have a way of breeding. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/25/p...
... I feel a trip to Northumbria coming on. And to Northamptonshire. And Peterborough. And … and … and … rabbit holes have a way of breeding. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/25/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-235 – travelling skillsets
Postcards from the Past 2026-235 – travelling skillsets Byzantine blessings at Breedon are just the start, it seems. I’ve been looking at how the designs and, by implication, skills of the ma…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 25, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Blog.
... I feel a trip to Northumbria coming on. And to Northamptonshire. And Peterborough. And … and … and … rabbit holes have a way of breeding. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/25/p...
... I feel a trip to Northumbria coming on. And to Northamptonshire. And Peterborough. And … and … and … rabbit holes have a way of breeding. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/25/p...
Blog
... as I complete another orbit - travelled approximately 387 billion miles, rotation and orbit of earth and travel of sun ... like stuff from the Total Perspective Vortex, but I can’t employ that because doctor says I’m not allowed fairy cake. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/p...
... as I complete another orbit - travelled approximately 387 billion miles, rotation and orbit of earth and travel of sun ... like stuff from the Total Perspective Vortex, but I can’t employ that because doctor says I’m not allowed fairy cake. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-234 – two way Saxon-Mediterranean influence
Postcards from the Past 2026-234 – two way Saxon-Mediterranean influence Saxon-Mediterranean influence and exchange From my current reading (yes, another rabbit hole) I’m learning stuff about…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 24, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Blog
... as I complete another orbit - travelled approximately 387 billion miles, rotation and orbit of earth and travel of sun ... like stuff from the Total Perspective Vortex, but I can’t employ that because doctor says I’m not allowed fairy cake. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/p...
... as I complete another orbit - travelled approximately 387 billion miles, rotation and orbit of earth and travel of sun ... like stuff from the Total Perspective Vortex, but I can’t employ that because doctor says I’m not allowed fairy cake. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/p...
Blog
... Thinking about it, it looks a bit like Nigel Farage but with more hair. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/23/p...
... Thinking about it, it looks a bit like Nigel Farage but with more hair. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/23/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-233 – carving – Saxons
Postcards from the Past 2026-233 – carving – Saxons Was it a repurposed gargoyle? While I was in Astley church earlier this month I photographed a carving that was reused from an earlie…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 23, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Blog
... Thinking about it, it looks a bit like Nigel Farage but with more hair. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/23/p...
... Thinking about it, it looks a bit like Nigel Farage but with more hair. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/23/p...
Blog.
... Because of the extended horticultural process not much medieval has been considered today. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/22/p...
... Because of the extended horticultural process not much medieval has been considered today. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/22/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-232 – dulcet sound of mowers
Postcards from the Past 2026-232 – dulcet sound of mowers The imminence of the brown bin collection again spurred the sounds of mowers from across the neighbourhood. I made my contribution. H…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 22, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Blog.
... Because of the extended horticultural process not much medieval has been considered today. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/22/p...
... Because of the extended horticultural process not much medieval has been considered today. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/22/p...
Blog.
... Unusually for me I also attacked the paths where grasses had invaded the surface of slabs, so much that the slabs of the path were nearly covered. More grass shortening is scheduled for tomorrow. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/p...
... Unusually for me I also attacked the paths where grasses had invaded the surface of slabs, so much that the slabs of the path were nearly covered. More grass shortening is scheduled for tomorrow. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-231 – hares, pies, bottles and violence
Postcards from the Past 2026-231 – hares, pies, bottles and violence Hallaton is famous for the sport, aka outright battle, that occurs every Easter Monday at Hare Pie Bank in the village, si…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 22, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Blog.
... Unusually for me I also attacked the paths where grasses had invaded the surface of slabs, so much that the slabs of the path were nearly covered. More grass shortening is scheduled for tomorrow. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/p...
... Unusually for me I also attacked the paths where grasses had invaded the surface of slabs, so much that the slabs of the path were nearly covered. More grass shortening is scheduled for tomorrow. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/p...
Blog.
... It is very pleasant to be able exchange information with people, amateurs, of similar interests and knowing that it profits both parties. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
... It is very pleasant to be able exchange information with people, amateurs, of similar interests and knowing that it profits both parties. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-230 – Potters Marston reconstruct
Postcards from the Past 2026-230 – Potters Marston reconstruct At Hallaton Museum today, when I was delivering the pics from last week, I spotted some of the Potters Marston Ware that has bee…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 20, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Blog.
... It is very pleasant to be able exchange information with people, amateurs, of similar interests and knowing that it profits both parties. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
... It is very pleasant to be able exchange information with people, amateurs, of similar interests and knowing that it profits both parties. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
Blog
... detail has had to be researched in order to construct the models. The repository of knowledge embodied here is immense. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
... detail has had to be researched in order to construct the models. The repository of knowledge embodied here is immense. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-229 – models as history – technology in the landscape
Postcards from the Past 2026-229 – models as history – technology in the landscape Some quarter of a century ago I was looking at the construction methods of Bronze Age seagoing boats a…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 20, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Blog
... detail has had to be researched in order to construct the models. The repository of knowledge embodied here is immense. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
... detail has had to be researched in order to construct the models. The repository of knowledge embodied here is immense. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/p...
Blog.
... I’m running out of disk pace, despite having a machine with a terabyte drive - a pruning is required and finding out what duplicates I have put on. The bum will have to remain on the sofa for a while longer and be involved with editing. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/p...
... I’m running out of disk pace, despite having a machine with a terabyte drive - a pruning is required and finding out what duplicates I have put on. The bum will have to remain on the sofa for a while longer and be involved with editing. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-228 – archives
Postcards from the Past 2026-228 – archives Part of the activity of any history society is keeping records and we are fortunate to have an archive room and an archivist. A considerable propor…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 19, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Blog.
... I’m running out of disk pace, despite having a machine with a terabyte drive - a pruning is required and finding out what duplicates I have put on. The bum will have to remain on the sofa for a while longer and be involved with editing. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/p...
... I’m running out of disk pace, despite having a machine with a terabyte drive - a pruning is required and finding out what duplicates I have put on. The bum will have to remain on the sofa for a while longer and be involved with editing. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/p...
Blog.
... decision looks like it’s been made, MHRA, according to the arguments just rehearsed, and the style manual downloaded, and a bit of a learning curve. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
... decision looks like it’s been made, MHRA, according to the arguments just rehearsed, and the style manual downloaded, and a bit of a learning curve. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-227 – annotating – referencing – bodies
Postcards from the Past 2026-227 – annotating – referencing – bodies Referencing The current debate with one of my friends about publishing the information we have is which …
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Blog.
... decision looks like it’s been made, MHRA, according to the arguments just rehearsed, and the style manual downloaded, and a bit of a learning curve. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
... decision looks like it’s been made, MHRA, according to the arguments just rehearsed, and the style manual downloaded, and a bit of a learning curve. ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
Blog
... it seems that a reproduction is called for - wonder if anyone can make one? ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
... it seems that a reproduction is called for - wonder if anyone can make one? ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
Postcards from the Past 2026-226 – Potters Marston Ware
Postcards from the Past 2026-226 – Potters Marston Ware Significant progress today in furthering the cause for next year. Today’s rabbit hole stemmed from me downloading a paper on Potters Ma…
johncolby.wordpress.com
September 17, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Blog
... it seems that a reproduction is called for - wonder if anyone can make one? ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...
... it seems that a reproduction is called for - wonder if anyone can make one? ...
johncolby.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/p...