Judith Franks was gifted a book on medieval castles in a Christmas stocking when she was about 8 years old and the rot started there. She has a BA (hons) in English Literature first class from Lancaster University. She went there with grand ideas about studying Shakespeare and modern literature, but ended up plunging into a full-blown love affair with medieval literature, history and art instead. She followed her undergraduate success with an M.A. (by Research) that was awarded with distinction. Her specialist focus was a comparative art historical and literary analysis of fifteenth century English representations of the Nine Orders of Angels.
After an unsuccessful attempt to develop her existing research into a doctorate, Judith worked as a volunteer archivist with York City Archives and The Ruskin Library, before leaving formal academia altogether. She worked for a brief stint as a photo editor and researcher for a small publishing house. And then gave up most of her books to move in with her husband on the other side of the country.
Judith Franks
During COVID, she looked at her forlorn bookshelves and started researching for pleasure again. She is a member of The Mortimer History Society who actively attends lectures and seminars with the organisation. Her current passion is medieval Welsh and Marcher history and culture. She has been slowly learning to read and speak in Cymraeg for two years to improve her research skills. Judith has also undertaken courses with The National Centre for Writing in Norwich, UK.
A member of the Archaeo Book Club Discord since its inception, Judith is passionate about sharing her medieval and literature knowledge with her fellow book nerds. When she’s not cosying up with a cup of tea and a book, or knitting, she enjoys visiting medieval churches to photograph iconography and architecture, usually with her two dogs in tow.
Judith co-hosts the Archaeo Book Club podcast with her co-hosts Dr Tilly Siebrecht and Ashleigh Airey.
