Just 2 berths left for January's inaugural Zoom-based 'ProdTheProf' Q&A ask-me-anything-about-history session, also featuring the legendary Dr Doug Pitt (to ensure our laugh-while-you-learn metrics look impressive...). DM for more info or to reserve a slot. Precise time/date to be arranged.

Lots of chat about the British monarchy at the mo. Writing in 1867, Walter Bagehot listed odd 'theoretical' powers Queen Victoria still held under the constitution, e.g. declaring war with the aim of conquering Brittany & the right to make peace by giving away Cornwall... #History

#History's Game Time #2: Mehen. Originating 3000 BC, shared name of #AncientEgypt's coiled snake-god. Board represents a coiled snake. But no sign of a ladder. Players raced to the centre, symbolising journey of the soul (Ba) through underworld post-mortem. 'Mouse Trap' it ain't

#History's Game Time #1: The Royal Game of Ur. Mesopotamian, 3rd millennium BC. 2 players. 4-sided dice. Set of rules still exists: get your counters across board & off other side, capturing opponent's counters. A game of strategy. My strategy? To cheat. Loser's strop mandatory.

All systems go for kicking off #ProdTheProf in January - Zoom-based fun-fests where Dr Doug Pitt & I chat with you about history & try to answer ANY history question you chuck at us! Interested in joining us? DM me & we'll explore times of the day/days of the week that suit you!

Tall Tales from #History #1: George Ward Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer in Disraeli's Cabinet of 1868, was taller than Queen Victoria even when he knelt in front of her. She should have stood on a crate or sat on someone's shoulders, just to emphasise her social superiority.

Tall Tales from #History #2: Peter the Great...was six feet eight. Sounds like the start of a scurrilous poem. Tsar 1682-1725, outstripped normal folk by over a foot. Reminds me of the joke about the king who was only 12 inches tall. Terrible monarch but he did make a good ruler.

Coming in 2026: Prod the Prof! Zoom-based get-togethers where we can chat about history, you can ask my guests and me ANY history-related question and we'll give you the answer (or make one up). Let me know if interested in joining us! Places strictly limited! #ProdTheProf

Just 7 days to go till Dr Doug Pitt and I head out on the highway to host our next #Avebury History Walk, Talk & Gawk. A special not-quite-the-equinox 'equinot' event. Kicking off outside the Red Lion and ending up at...the Red Lion. Why not join us & our other willing walkers?

As we approach the equinox & the elements start to remember why they can be so elemental, let's consider History's Worst Weather: #1 Typhoons Blow Kublai Khan Off Course. Twice. In 1274 & 1281, vicious tropical storms wreck Mongol invasion fleets heading for Japan. Japandemonium! #History

Well, 'What-iffery in History: A Dozen Things that Didn't Happen (But Nearly Did)' has made it to Greece, under Plato's watchful eye in front of the Academy of Athens (Ακαδημία Αθηνών). Credit: @nomadpossumgr.bsky.social and a Japanese lady's hand. #NewBooks #HistoryBooks #Plato #Books

Just 14 days till cult archaeologist Dr Doug Pitt and I head off to #Avebury for our not-quite-the-equinox History Walk, Talk & Gawk 'event'. Do join us if you can! We'll shed some light on this exhilarating landscape, get several thousand steps in & have some fun in the process.

History, with a twist of what-ifs... #Books #NewBooks #HistoryBooks #FunnyBooks #History What-iffery in History: A Dozen Things that Didn't Happen (But Nearly Did) Available from Amazon

A little pressie arrived by post this morning! The new book by my very clever pal @profjasperh-b.bsky.social. It’s not just your average dull history book - it’s a good ol’ laugh, just like all Jasper’s books. Give him a follow and buy his book. It’s totally worth it! 📚🤩📚 #books

Blimey! 'What-iffery in History: A Dozen Things That Didn't Happen (But Nearly Did)' has picked up a couple of 5-star Amazon reviews. Thx!!

Just a reminder, Dr Doug Pitt and I will be hosting a History Walk, Talk & Gawk round the magnificent Avebury landscape on Friday 19th September. Let me know if you'd like to join us as we lift the lid on this simply amazing place and have quite a lot of fun while we do so...

A gorgeous summer evening sunset over Barbury Castle for #HillfortsWednesday

@pauld70.bsky.social Just to let you know, I'm looking to schedule a History Walk, Talk & Gawk ramble round Avebury on Fri Sept 19, accompanied by my estimable colleague Dr Doug Pitt. Do join us if you can!

Confirmed! Friday 19th Sept: cult archaeologist Dr Doug Pitt and I will be doing a History Walk, Talk & Gawk ramble round Avebury! Join us as we explore this amazing site, get some exercise, mark the equinox and accidentally end up in the Red Lion's beer garden... #AveburyWalk

Hitler goes to art school. Farming flops. No-one's heard of Shakespeare. England doesn't happen. Ditto teabags and the Norman Conquest. The Ancient World takes different turns. Can't beat a bit of pointless mulling over things that never happened! #WIIH From Amazon

Out now... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FKZH3W4...

In April 1912, a famous local newspaper headline here in the UK screamed LOCAL MAN DROWNS. (Poor chap was actually on the Titanic.) I've often wondered whether a similar headline, LOCAL MAN INVADES REICH, appeared in June 1944...

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR WORK! The so-called 'Wicked Bible' printed in 1631 accidentally left out the word 'not' in the 7th commandment. Talk about green light! Also reputedly misspelt ‘greatness’ in the Book of Deuteronomy: “Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his great-asse…” #History

A Quick #History 'Did You Know?' In total, it's generally accepted there were 11 Roman emperors called Constantine. So enough for a cricket team. Pretty sure Constantine the Great would insist on opening the bowling. And the batting. And doing all the interviews. #RomanHistory #AncientHistory

"Annoyingly brilliant" @dorotheacalm.bsky.social "An irritatingly good read" Professor Simon Pyman "Irksomely entertaining" Lord Justice Once "Gallingly engaging" Sir Titus Fock Available from Amazon and other major waterways. #HistoryBooks #History #OffbeatBooks

A #History question for you: which historical figure would you most like to see run the rule over their own Wikipedia entry? For me, #LeonardodaVinci. He'd be chuffed to learn there’s an airport, a crater on the Moon, a robotic surgery system and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle all named after him.

Will start putting pen to paper today as I launch into 'What-iffery in History: A Dozen Things That Didn't Happen (But Nearly Did)'. A kind of follow-up to 2024's 'Thirty Annoying Things in History', which some of you seemed to enjoy! Hopefully out in time for Xmas, though not sure which one...

Edington is (arguably) the most important battle in English history, even though there wasn't actually an England then. Lose that one, and you may not get an England at all. #History

History's Oddest Demises #5: King Martin of Aragon (NOT Aragorn). Said to have died laughing (1410). His jester Borra told him a joke while he had dyspepsia & that was game, set & match. The joke? The one about the sex-mad bellringer who was told off? Must have been a Borra Borra laughs. #History

History's Oddest Demises #4: King Pyrrhus of Epirus. Brought us the Pyrrhic victory, disproving soccer pundits for evermore by demonstrating it's NOT "all about the result". Died 272BC when hit by rooftile lobbed by mum of Argive soldier he was fighting. Never underestimate Greek mothers! #History

History's Oddest Demises #3: Adolf Frederick, king of Sweden 1751-1771. Story did the rounds that he was dispatched by a mahoosive meal topped off by 14 helpings of hetvägg (basically tasty pastries with hot milk). I've heard of 'seconds' but not 'fourteenths'. Maybe he was going for a PB. #History

Well, those extra-terrestrials certainly have an eye for design. I wonder if they could help me pick out some new curtains?

History's Oddest Demises #2: Charles the Bad, a 14th cent. king of Navarre. On doctor's orders, given his abysmal (largely self-inflicted) state of health, was wrapped in brandy-soaked sheet to keep him warm. What could go wrong? Catching fire, that's what. Never good to get the sheets. #History

History's Oddest Demises #1: Sigurd Eysteinsson, 9th cent. Viking Earl of Orkney. Suffered graze on leg from tooth of defeated enemy, whose severed head dangled from his horse's saddle. Wound turned septic. Death ensued. Presumably the enemy didn't floss daily or use an effective mouthwash. #History

Oh dear... The clue from my excellent hike along the Sailors' Path to Snape.

Next clue...

Great selection. But slightly harsh on the crabs.

Came up with the goods at Thorpeness today... And I'm not just talking about the pint of #Adnam's excellent #GhostShip... Next clue!

Up the #SuffolkCoast to Thorpeness today, hopefully for the next clue. I feel my hunt for Anglo-Saxon treasure is entering the critical stage. By which I mean a lot of people are critical of my search for Anglo-Saxon treasure... #ChestQuest

Back in Aldeburgh, went to the Lifeboat shop but didn't buy one.

Found the next clue at Sutton Hoo! What a hoo-ha!

Cracked the clue, so off to the Hoo to track down the next one! #SuttonHoo

Moot point

In Suffolk, hopefully for the dénouement of my quest for the Lost Treasure Of The Noxgaga. (Did you know that the French word for 'dénouement' is 'dénouement'?) Can you help me crack the clue I retrieved from the shingle near Aldeburgh's Martello tower?

Yup. Just like the real Dr Doug Pitt - always "posing till closing", our Doug!

A friend is going to a wedding this weekend. "I hate weddings," they've just told me. "I didn’t even want to go to mine, but people insisted." #Weddings

Speaking of Dr Doug Pitt, I can confirm we'll be out & about 'in the wild' at historic locations this summer, shooting some unenlightening but maybe mildly entertaining videos for you! Do keep an eye out for #RandomHistoryRamblesWithTheProfAndDrDoug Hopefully I'll work out how to upload them here!

Can't tell you what an honour it is to have had an Aussie duckling named after me. Best thing ever! (Who needs 'Emeritus' or 'Regius' in front of their name?) And I know legendary archaeologist Dr Doug Pitt and #BronzeAge jewellery expert Professor Amber Bangle feel exactly the same! #BestThingEver

Borg went on a Croc Tour in Rockhampton. Have seen them in the wild many times, fortunately only briefly. Much better to see them from the other side of a fence. This is Fat Bill:

Well worth a 'follow'!