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.


Friday, 13 March 2026

Mithraism in second century Scotland


Excavations in 2010 at Inveresk, close to the northern coast of East Lothian uncovered two very handsome altars intended for the worship of Mithras. The Eastern mystery cult of Mithras was, of course, particularly popular with the Roman military. They date from the second century occupation of this part of Scotland, and are evidence for the most northerly Mithraiam known in Britain. 

The two altars have been acquired by the National Museum of Scotland and will feature in a forthcoming exhibition at the NMS in Edinburgh.

This is reported upon by BBC News in Ancient Roman altars to go on display in Edinburgh

There is a little more information in the Wikipedia entry for Inveresk


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