Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday, 6 December 2021

Blair Atholl Man


Lie Science has an interesting report about the recent analysis of a male skeleton found near Blair Atholl in 1985 and dating from the 400-600 era.

The latest research into his bones shows that the man, who was about 45 when he died, came originally from the western coastal area of what is now Scotland, if not even
Ireland. The fact that he had migrated ties in with similar burial evidence from eastern Scotland from the same period. Whether or not he was a Pict is not revealed but he was buried according to Pictish practice, which would suggest that he was at least accepted into the society of Pictdom.





No comments: