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Inspired by history, not bound by it

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IMC 2026 – Historical Research, Public Engagement, and Tabletop Role-Playing Games

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Remember those jumprings I posted? They are now attached to their books ready for my class this Sunday, where the participants will be making a lovely velvet chemise for thir books.

Tomorrow, more of the books I'll be taking to the @imc_leeds fair. It's all go in the workshop.

[Image descriptions: a pile of book clasps, a pile of clasped books, and two piles of clasped books.]

anachronalia

•

Remember those jumprings I posted? They are now attached to their books ready for my class this Sunday, where the participants will be making a lovely velvet chemise for thir books. Tomorrow, more of the books I'll be taking to the @imc_leeds fair. It's all go in the workshop. [Image descriptions: a pile of book clasps, a pile of clasped books, and two piles of clasped books.]

2 days ago

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1/12

Only one week to go until the @imc_leeds is in full swing! For those wanting to attend the craft fair and Making Leeds Medieval (open to non-delegates), here is the info you require.

[Image description: a poster with a medieval-style hare holding a book surrounded by text that reads:
Medieval Craft Fair and Making Leeds Medieval. Part of the International Medieval Congress. The Medieval craft fair and making Leeds Medieval are free and open to the public to attend. Wed 8th July 10:30-19:00, craft fair selling handmade items inspired by medieval craft techniques, Thurs 9th July 19:30- 18:00 Medieval craft fair, combat displays, birds of prey, and Medieval craft demonstrations.
University Square & Leeds University Union Building Foyer.]

anachronalia

•

Only one week to go until the @imc_leeds is in full swing! For those wanting to attend the craft fair and Making Leeds Medieval (open to non-delegates), here is the info you require. [Image description: a poster with a medieval-style hare holding a book surrounded by text that reads: Medieval Craft Fair and Making Leeds Medieval. Part of the International Medieval Congress. The Medieval craft fair and making Leeds Medieval are free and open to the public to attend. Wed 8th July 10:30-19:00, craft fair selling handmade items inspired by medieval craft techniques, Thurs 9th July 19:30- 18:00 Medieval craft fair, combat displays, birds of prey, and Medieval craft demonstrations. University Square & Leeds University Union Building Foyer.]

4 days ago

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2/12

Not the most exciting photo but these are handmade jumprings ready to turn into simple book clasps for my @imc_leeds workshop. Not as fancy as the clasps that usually furnish velvet covered books, but a lot easier to make in bulk on a budget since I'm preparing the books for the workshop.

Next I'll be gathering all the supplies for the velvet secondary bindings my workshop participants will be making to make these books truly luxurious.

[Image description: 15 silver jumprings on a cutting mat.]

anachronalia

•

Not the most exciting photo but these are handmade jumprings ready to turn into simple book clasps for my @imc_leeds workshop. Not as fancy as the clasps that usually furnish velvet covered books, but a lot easier to make in bulk on a budget since I'm preparing the books for the workshop. Next I'll be gathering all the supplies for the velvet secondary bindings my workshop participants will be making to make these books truly luxurious. [Image description: 15 silver jumprings on a cutting mat.]

1 week ago

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3/12

Another day another batch of things for the @imc_leeds International Medieval Congress Fair on the 8th-9th July. Using fair-trade beeswax sourced in Wales (gathered in Zambia) I'm melting them into tiny book blocks. These will form part of my bookbinding sets as well as being available individually.

[Image description: a hand holding beeswax blocks, and a tub with unprocessed beeswax.]

anachronalia

•

Another day another batch of things for the @imc_leeds International Medieval Congress Fair on the 8th-9th July. Using fair-trade beeswax sourced in Wales (gathered in Zambia) I'm melting them into tiny book blocks. These will form part of my bookbinding sets as well as being available individually. [Image description: a hand holding beeswax blocks, and a tub with unprocessed beeswax.]

1 week ago

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4/12

The International Medieval Congress @imc_leeds is fast approaching and I am printing and prepping pamphlets for binding today, as well as editing images for print. The third image is my face trying to concentrate in the heat (I'm made for rain and snow).

[Image description: a pile of book covers with medieval images, a computer screen with a strange beast image being edited, a close-up of a woodcut showing a seemingly bored person.]

anachronalia

•

The International Medieval Congress @imc_leeds is fast approaching and I am printing and prepping pamphlets for binding today, as well as editing images for print. The third image is my face trying to concentrate in the heat (I'm made for rain and snow). [Image description: a pile of book covers with medieval images, a computer screen with a strange beast image being edited, a close-up of a woodcut showing a seemingly bored person.]

1 week ago

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5/12

In true @imc_leeds prep, I've had to revert to late medieval book trimming methods. Here's real time footage of trimming with a (new-to-me) plough and working out what adjustments need to be made to the set-up. By the 6th book, once adjustments had been made, things were flowing much better.

[Video description: a book held in a laying press is trimmed using a plough with a horizontal blade, a few pages at a time, leaving a smooth edge.]

anachronalia

•

In true @imc_leeds prep, I've had to revert to late medieval book trimming methods. Here's real time footage of trimming with a (new-to-me) plough and working out what adjustments need to be made to the set-up. By the 6th book, once adjustments had been made, things were flowing much better. [Video description: a book held in a laying press is trimmed using a plough with a horizontal blade, a few pages at a time, leaving a smooth edge.]

2 weeks ago

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6/12

One of the things I love about teaching is seeing the same binding become very different books. The Nag hammadi codices inspired class was no exception. Especially as they got to play with dyeing the leather before binding. Thank you @bradfordmuseums for hosting the class and all the students for attending.

[Image descriptions three photos of similar leather notebooks with different dye finishes.]

anachronalia

•

One of the things I love about teaching is seeing the same binding become very different books. The Nag hammadi codices inspired class was no exception. Especially as they got to play with dyeing the leather before binding. Thank you @bradfordmuseums for hosting the class and all the students for attending. [Image descriptions three photos of similar leather notebooks with different dye finishes.]

2 weeks ago

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7/12

If you fancy a book-adjacent getaway, I can highly recommend these two museums. Firstly @robertsmailsprintingworks where you can see a working print house, containing some fabulous 'just as they left them' artifacts and get to composit a small line of text on the tour to take home. Shout out to the still working Wharfedale press made in Otley! It's a beast!

And just up the road, the Penicuik Papermaking Museum is a small, volunteer run, and jam-packed with information. Plus you get to make your own sheet of paper on the way round (although you'll get to take a different sheet home). We'll worth a visit.

[Image descriptions: a selection of images from a printing house and of paper being made. More in alt text.]

anachronalia

•

If you fancy a book-adjacent getaway, I can highly recommend these two museums. Firstly @robertsmailsprintingworks where you can see a working print house, containing some fabulous 'just as they left them' artifacts and get to composit a small line of text on the tour to take home. Shout out to the still working Wharfedale press made in Otley! It's a beast! And just up the road, the Penicuik Papermaking Museum is a small, volunteer run, and jam-packed with information. Plus you get to make your own sheet of paper on the way round (although you'll get to take a different sheet home). We'll worth a visit. [Image descriptions: a selection of images from a printing house and of paper being made. More in alt text.]

3 weeks ago

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8/12

Had some odd shaped offcuts of watercolour, so I decided to make a heart-shaped book as a test piece. I love it so far.

[Image descriptions: a hand holding a heart-shaped book showing the red endpapers]

anachronalia

•

Had some odd shaped offcuts of watercolour, so I decided to make a heart-shaped book as a test piece. I love it so far. [Image descriptions: a hand holding a heart-shaped book showing the red endpapers]

4 weeks ago

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9/12

Join me on the 10th June in @fabricationcrafts York on Stonegate. As part of their 2026 book week, you can make your own facsimile version of this 16th century pamphlet. Made for lists, accounts, and important notes. Suitable for beginners to bookbinding or binders wanting an insight into simpler historical bindings. All materials included.

Tickets available at https://www.fabric-ation.co.uk/product/bookbinding-class-making-the-naughty-list-16th-century-stationery-binding/

[Video description: a tall slim pamphlet book with an elaborate label is shown to camera, it has blockprint style paper covers.]

anachronalia

•

Join me on the 10th June in @fabricationcrafts York on Stonegate. As part of their 2026 book week, you can make your own facsimile version of this 16th century pamphlet. Made for lists, accounts, and important notes. Suitable for beginners to bookbinding or binders wanting an insight into simpler historical bindings. All materials included. Tickets available at https://www.fabric-ation.co.uk/product/bookbinding-class-making-the-naughty-list-16th-century-stationery-binding/ [Video description: a tall slim pamphlet book with an elaborate label is shown to camera, it has blockprint style paper covers.]

1 month ago

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10/12

Join me on the 1st, 15th, and 29th of June for behind the scenes tours of 32 Stonegate, York. This casual tour will give you a small glimpse into the history of the building, show you the rooms that are not usually open to the public, and give an insight into the working life of an average building in York that nonetheless hides some surprises. Using research collated by @fabricationcrafts Booking can be done in person in the shop, or just turn up on the day.

This tour spans 3 floors of stairs, some of which are narrow as well as areas that include workshop space. Please bear this in mind when booking.

[Image description: a series of photos showing images of 32 Stonegate, Guy Fawkes etc. More in alt text]

anachronalia

•

Join me on the 1st, 15th, and 29th of June for behind the scenes tours of 32 Stonegate, York. This casual tour will give you a small glimpse into the history of the building, show you the rooms that are not usually open to the public, and give an insight into the working life of an average building in York that nonetheless hides some surprises. Using research collated by @fabricationcrafts Booking can be done in person in the shop, or just turn up on the day. This tour spans 3 floors of stairs, some of which are narrow as well as areas that include workshop space. Please bear this in mind when booking. [Image description: a series of photos showing images of 32 Stonegate, Guy Fawkes etc. More in alt text]

1 month ago

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11/12

A few photos taken during my Paperback repair class (some photos by me some taken by @iamianharker). Held in the fabulous @theleedslibrary where we went through tear repair, infills, and getting your pages back into a book. Excellent work all round by some fabulous students. If you want to get into repairing your own bindings, the next Leeds Library course is in August, where we will be looking at fabric and paper case bindings. Book your space in person at the Library or through their website.

[Image descriptions: a paperback book in pieces and in thr process of repair. More in alt text.]

anachronalia

•

A few photos taken during my Paperback repair class (some photos by me some taken by @iamianharker). Held in the fabulous @theleedslibrary where we went through tear repair, infills, and getting your pages back into a book. Excellent work all round by some fabulous students. If you want to get into repairing your own bindings, the next Leeds Library course is in August, where we will be looking at fabric and paper case bindings. Book your space in person at the Library or through their website. [Image descriptions: a paperback book in pieces and in thr process of repair. More in alt text.]

1 month ago

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12/12

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Anachronalia, Fabrication 2, Hereford House, 6 Edward St., Leeds, LS2 7NT, United Kingdom (UK)

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