Borthwick Institute for Archives

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The Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York, UK, for records of the archdiocese, local parishes, businesses, hospitals etc. [email protected]

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The description promises a: 'High Dress of muslin, with a triple flounce of work or Lace, & frill to match. Spencer of crimson silk - Hat of white moss silk, trimmed with white satin ribbon. blue kid Slippers & Gloves - a white silk French Scarf with a rich border, tied round the Neck.'

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If you're looking for a seasonal wardrobe refresh, take inspiration from this 'Autumnal Walking Dress' from La Belle Assemblée magazine, October 1815. This very accurate recreation of the print was made by young Ann Reynolds of Heslington, York. No word on its practicality for muddy autumn walks...

Watercolour drawing of a woman seated on a chair dressed in a white dress, with a red spencer and a white hat and scarf. The text beneath reads 'Autumnal Walking. DressHigh Dress of muslin, with a triple flounce of work or Lace, & frill to match. Spencer of crimson silk - Hat of white moss silk, trimmed with white satin ribbon. blue kid Slippers & Gloves - a white silk French Scarf with a rich border, tied round the Neck.'
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Fun Norah Fact: Simon was her first cat, but later she had Leo, Timothy & Bowet - the latter was named for a 15th century Archbishop of York who came to York from Bath 'as did the cat!' We don't have a photo of Bowet but here's Simon again, in a break from terrorising his fellow cats of Huntington

Norah Gurney, wearing a striped dress, seated on the grass and holding her Siamese cat Simon on her lap.
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This year is the International Year of Women Farmers. In 1939 the re-formation of the Women's Land Army (WLA) saw thousands of women take over farm work that had previously been done by men, playing a vital role in the British war effort.

#IYWF2026

The front page of the first edition of 'The Land Girl' magazine, dated September 1940, showing a black and white sketch of a land girl holding a bucket and standing beside a milking stool, staring wide-eyed at a cow.
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We have something very exciting on its way to the Hall! Here is a sneaky peak of a new permanent display on Dr Maud Sellers: steamboat lady, traveller, historian, archivist and the first female Merchant Adventurer in 400 years. Join us for a short thread on the indominable Maud...

We are looking at a workshop and in the foreground is a large display panel in the shame of a screen. It has an illustrated coat rail with an green coat, fox fur and elaborate hat hanging from it. At the base is a travel trunk and suitcase. Above is text, illustrations and photos. We are looking at an older lady with white hair wearing a graduation gown with a cap in her hand. She looks directly at the camera with a fixed but tired stare.
@yorkfhs.bsky.socialReposted by @uoyborthwick.bsky.social

'A House, a Family and an Architect’ a talk about Walter Henry Brierley by David Guyton at our September 2nd talk. Brierley was York’s leading architect and died a hundred years ago this month.
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Bird enthusiasts, can you help?

Archifau Prifysgol Bangor University Archives@archpbu.bsky.social

All unrhywun 'nabod yr aderyn yn y darlun. Mae wedi ei restru yn ein catalog fel ‘aderyn anhysbys’, unrhyw syniadau? Can anyone identify the bird in this painting. It's listed in our catalogue as an ‘unidentified bird’, any ideas? “Original painted image of an unidentified bird” n.d. PFA/13/39

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Join a guided tour at Heslington Hall Art Gallery celebrating the life and artwork of renowned York painter and printmaker John Langton.

“John Langton: Slow Surfacing” exhibition - Guided Tour - 13 Aug

https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/public-lectures/sem2-25-26/langton-tour-1/

york.ac.uk“John Langton: Slow Surfacing” exhibition - Guided TourJoin a guided tour at Heslington Hall Art Gallery celebrating the life and artwork of renowned York painter and printmaker John Langton.
@uoyborthwick.bsky.social

Like many archives we still have (and use) our original card catalogue - and it does throw up the occasional surprise. Before you say "bless you", this is a real latin term! It means 'the state of being able to achieve honours' and it appeared in Erasmus' 16th century Adagia and in Shakespeare :)

Typed index card in a wooden card catalogue with the words: 'HONORIFICABILITUDINITATIBUS. written at foot of cause paper. Written on page originally stuck in the binding of Consistory AB 46 1593-5'
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