The Covid Inquiry’s findings are devastating. So many families suffered unimaginable loss, and their experiences must never be forgotten. We must take these findings seriously and ensure we are far better prepared for the future. My thoughts are with all those who suffered.

Just as I was giving “your assured friend” Lord Cromwell’s signature a nod, and smiling at his over-filled quill in the archives this afternoon, I received an exciting #StitchingCromwell invitation for Spring 2026. Managed not to scream there and then. Watch this space.

The report into Boris Johnson’s record during the Covid epidemic blames a ‘toxic, sexist and chaotic culture’ in Downing Street. Who’d have thought it?

Extremely niche request, very unlikely to work: does anyone know anyone who specialises in analysis of historical handwriting??

Making Little Red Riding Hoods for the Whitstable Artists and Makers Trail in 29/30 November… Up to you whether the wolf is snuggling or stuffed… #hasshenothingbettertodo #feministchristmas #feministart #folklore #fairytale

On this day in 1501, Prince Arthur of Wales married Katherine of Aragon at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.

Very much a fan of Charles the baby alligator 🐊 and his little smiley face.

At least 50% of Underground stations sound like an early 17th c plot to overthrow the Stuarts.

Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.

It seems like a good day to share this excellent BBC Radio drama about far-right radicalisation and grooming.

Check out this load of old bobbins! The crew of the Mary Rose used them to store their sewing kits (thread around the spindle, needles and pins in a hollow space at the end), which they would use to repair damaged materials, such as this ripped cloth jerkin! #Museum30 #Stitch

Find yourself something that makes you as happy as Edward Barlow's 'dolphin' was to 'swim in the sea'. #skystorians #earlymodern (National Maritime Museum, Journal of Edward Barlow, JOD/4/197-210, 213-294)

'“Chatroom contributions are given equal status with serious academic work,” [Richard] Evans, an expert on the Third Reich, told the Guardian, after being invited to test out Grokipedia. “AI just hoovers up everything.”'

Working Thomas Cromwell’s River. I’m surrounded by maps and nautical navigation charts and notes. Plus Wolf Hall on audio.

Halloween: the world's edge seeps and bleeds. This is the time when the tally-keepers of Purgatory, its clerks and gaolers, listen into the living, who are praying for the dead. – Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall

If you're a National Trust member, it's that time of year again: Midnight tonight is the deadline. It's a shame people have to keep doing this to keep a toehold on historical truth in this country, but here we are. Voting link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...

This is either the beginning of a new idea, or the reworking of an old one. Thomas Cromwell along the Thames. Not sure what I am doing yet.

In my studio with two of four of Thomas Cromwell’s queens: new work ready for next year’s @wolfhall.bsky.social Weekenx by the Tower. Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.

Productive time sketching at “Making Space” with @guildmedmak.bsky.social !

A very cheering Zoom session with @guildmedmak.bsky.social at which I managed to complete three more #LettersToCromwell from 1529. I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.

For Trafalgar Day. Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory. Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.

Why am I suddenly hit by an overwhelming desire to stitch the Civitas Londinum (c1561)? It would take years and I’m busy. Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn… Me: No. Busy. Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it? Step. Away. From. The. Map.

Don't just buy the newest books. All your favourite authors have excellent back catalogues of works they spent years on. Make sure you pick up those as well (and even better, they tend to be cheaper paperbacks by this point). Older history has value too.

Today's the 959th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, so obviously I'm reposting my scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry in Playmobil.

I needed to see transcripts of 1960’s interviews and broadcasts with filmmaker Maurice Elvey for my PhD thesis. There’s no way these would have formed part of a programme of releases or anniversaries; Mr Elvey and his views on the film industry, opera, and Chekhov have never been mainstream.

A couple of fabric notes in the handwriting style of Thomas Cromwell - Yellow Satin and Russet Velvet. Doomsday Ink, Calico, silk and cotton thread, silk wadding, wood frame.

Thankyou everyone who visited yesterday. Had a fabulous day of conversations connections and emotions. Getting ready to open again today Sunday 12th October, 11 to 5. House 35 on the #Whitstable Trail #eastkentartistsopenhouses #art #textileart ekoh.org.uk/whitstable/

This is so exciting. I wasn’t allowed to read Jackie so secretly coming across stray copies discarded by others was terribly thrilling and transgressive when I was growing up. Now I can have a good read without being in trouble.

Tony Harrison’s Eumenides, the final play of The Oresteia trilogy by Aeschylus, 1981, at the National Theatre, London, UK. #drama #theater #poetry Photograph: Donald Cooper/Alamy

Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's fixer - a 1538 medal from the British Museum

random allusions to whales

A furious Endometriosis-filled morning.

Wow!!!!

It's hard to believe that this oak leaf, found on the wreck of the Mary Rose, fell from a tree during the reign of Henry VIII. Wonder if the tree it fell from ended up on a ship too?

Oh Tony Harrison. I watched his version of Oresteia when doing Classics A level decades ago, and I can still recall the rhythm and the verse. It’s stayed in my head for nearly 40 years.

However fun Khan’s response is, it’s worth remembering that every time Trump targets the mayor he gets a mass of online abuse, often racist, and threats. It’s no coincidence that he’s one of the most carefully security-protected politicians in the UK

Sadiq Khan to ITV London on Donald Trump’s comments about him to the UN: “I think I’ve got squatters right for the amount of time I’ve spent in Donald Trump’s head. I’m just hoping he doesn’t send me an invoice for all the time I’ve spent there.”

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐

It’s #MigraineAwarenessWeek. I started getting migraines with the onset of #MECFS. My #SciArt #embroidery she was tributaries (2016) depicts the electrical storm I feel in my brain with a #migraine.

Sorting archive notes on the third anniversary of Hilary Mantel’s passing.

“it seems probable that the few historians who will still be able to have meaningful academic careers in, say, ten years’ time will all be able-bodied, childless British citizens from upper-class families.” This is so real. The situation really is this bleak.

Prominent figures in the US and UK deliberately talk down our country, and in particular, our capital city. Yet the latest evidence is clear: a record number of US citizens are now applying for citizenship in the UK. For many Americans I speak with, it’s because of our values.

The far-right is in its pomp. We will have to fight for our values like never before. iandunt.substack.com/p/encounteri...

Any Conference Questions? #edchat #HigherEd #academia

To mark ten years of Sanctuary Hosting, I wrote about migration. With thanks to @asylumwelcome.bsky.social for the fact checker. open.substack.com/pub/writingf...

Oh - this is wonderful. As @carolinehack.bsky.social says, do watch it.

Passing the wreck site of the Mary Rose.

we don’t talk enough about how dan brown’s robert langdon books are the only reason there are any university departments of symbology left

The world feels so dangerous and frightening right now. Sunrise to sunset, savour every second of beauty you can x

Children across London return to school this week - and to another year of free school meals. I’m delighted that we’re continuing to fund free school meals for all state primary schools so that all children have to worry about is making the most of being back at school.