This week sees the start of our EXCITING new feature on Medieval Historia…
Medieval News Weekly Round-Up
WOW I hear you say!
Well it’s been a busy few months in the world of medieval history and archaeology, with new finds, fresh exhibitions, and even the odd surprise emerging from beneath modern streets.
Here’s a quick round-up of some of the biggest headlines lighting up the medieval map this week.
⚔️ Clash of Cultures…New Viking Exhibition in York.
The Yorkshire Museum has launched a major new exhibition, Viking: Rediscover the North, diving into the story of the Viking Great Army that swept into England in AD 866.
This wasn’t just a raiding party…this was an occupying force that reshaped the culture of the north.
The exhibition explores the complex legacy of Viking rule in the region, from cultural blending and trade networks to the darker realities of enslavement.
Artefacts on show include weaponry, jewellery, and items revealing Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon fusion across daily life.
A must-visit for anyone keen on understanding how Viking influence went far beyond the axe.
🧵 The Bayeux Tapestry is Coming to Britain
In a major international agreement, the original 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry is set to be displayed in the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027…the first time it will leave France in nearly 1,000 years!
The iconic embroidered masterpiece, which depicts the Norman Conquest of 1066, will arrive as part of a cultural exchange…with Sutton Hoo treasures heading to France in return.
President Macron quipped that organising the loan “took longer than the Brexit negotiations.” He’s probably not wrong.
🏥 Sinkhole Reveals Medieval Hospital in York
In a twist worthy of Time Team, a sinkhole on St Leonard’s Place, right in the heart of York, recently revealed the extensive remains of St Leonard’s Hospital, dating back to the 12th–13th century.
The discovery is now under active preservation. It’s a stark reminder that even under tarmac and cobbles, medieval Britain still has secrets left to tell.
✝️ 8th-Century Saxon Cross Unearthed near Leeds
A metal detectorist working a field near Leeds has uncovered a rare Saxon Christian cross pendant, believed to date from the 8th century.
Crafted in silver and covered in gold leaf, the piece shows intricate interlace patterns typical of high-status church items. Though one arm is broken and the central stone is missing, the pendant remains remarkably well preserved.
Experts believe it once belonged to a senior religious figure during the Northumbrian era. It’s now been acquired by Leeds Museums and Galleries and will go on display later this year.
So…now you know!
