I have always had a soft spot for Eleanor of Brittany. Captured as a teenager, she spent almost 40 years imprisoned in various castles in England. And all because she had a greater claim to the throne than King John and his son, Henry III. #medievalsky historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/01/24/e...

Totally!

Wordly Women: Catherine Hokin I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.

#OTD in 1148 Death of William de Warenne during the Second Crusade. Warenne had accompanied his cousin, Louis VII on the Second Crusade and was killed in the fighting in the Battle of Mount Cadmus, Laodicea. #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social historytheinterestingbits.com/2021/10/30/e...

Very good to hear time-travelling historian Dr Ian Mortimer on A Slice of Medieval podcast talking about his new book (out now in hardback and as an audiobook) MORTIMER's A-Zs of ENGLISH HISTORY. @derekbirks.bsky.social @thehistorybits.bsky.social soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

The Society invites applications for the following three funding programmes, with deadlines 23 to 31 January 2026 bit.ly/3LbxDQb > RHS Workshop Grants > Applied History Fellowships, in association with @ihr.bsky.social > Fellowships, for completion of a History PhD, also with the IHR #Skystorians

Wordly Women: Carol Ann Lloyd Happy New Year! Tudor expert Carol Ann Lloyd joins me for the first edition of Wordly Women of 2026

Happy New Year! I just popped in to say Happy New Year to all my readers. Thank you for your support in 2025 and here's to a fabulous 2026 for all of us! Lots of love, Sharon xx

Happy New Year! A special treat for the last day of 2025 is Derek and I chatting with the inimitable Dr Ian Mortimer, whose knew book, The A to Zs of English History is enlightening! And at the end, we have a little teaser for what to look out for in 2026.... soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

#otd (or thereabout): 1135 Stephen of Blois is crowned King of England, stealing the throne from his cousin, Empress Matilda. His usurpation of the crown would spark 19-year war in during which the chroniclers claimed "Christ and His Saints slept". historytheinterestingbits.com/2023/12/22/t...

These are just a few of the books from authors who have all been interviewed for the Into the Greenwood podcast! Including... @benitocereno.bsky.social @icysedgwick.bsky.social @thehistorybits.bsky.social @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social

Wordly Women: Ann M. Beggs For the last Wordly Women of 2025, Anne M. Beggs steps into the spotlight to talk about her love of horses and 13th century Ireland

Ooh! This sounds fun! 😍😍😍😍😍

It is not Christmas until the A Slice of Medieval Christmas Special has dropped. Derek and Sharon have a nostalgic look back at some of their favourite episodes of the last 3 years. Do you have a favourite? Merry Christmas! @penandswordbooks.bsky.social @derekbirks.bsky.social bit.ly/4oZlaNe

Had a fabulous time chatting with Jess at the Herstory podcast, talking about Scotland's medieval queens, their role in and contribution to Scottish history @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #medievalsky open.spotify.com/episode/4eg8...

Elizabeth Mure, Robert II and a Question of Legitimacy New: The story of Robert II, the first Stewart king, and his first wife, Elizabeth Mure. Their marriage was rather unconventional and not without controversy

Book Corner: Swords in the Snow by Matthew Harffy and Steven A. McKay A fabulous new novella featuring Little John and Friar Tuck, written by Steven A. McKay and his partner-in-crime Matthew Harffy

Book Corner: Mortimer’s A to Zs of English History by Ian Mortimer New review: Mortimer's A to Zs of English History has to be one of the best books I have read this year. It is such a fun read - and informative!

Wordly Women: Anna Belfrage For my latest edition of Wordly Women, it is an absolute pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Anna Belfrage.

All I want for Christmas is ... a good book! But which one? Our guests have some suggestions... #podcast #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social @derekbirks.bsky.social @patbracewell.bsky.social @angusdonald.bsky.social @historylauren.bsky.social soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

Ooh, just noticed that the paperback of Heroines of the Tudor World has a publication date: 15 July 2026. :D #womeninhistory #tudors www.amazon.co.uk/Heroines-Tud...

This poem is dedicated to anyone making a start on their advent calendar today.

It's December! And to get us in the Christmas spirit, I have a wonderful guest post from Grace Tierney, looking into the history of two of our greatest Christmas traditions.

New: Black Agnes In holding Dunbar Castle through a siege, Agnes thwarted the English at every turn, even when they threatened to execute her brother... #ScottishHistory #womeninhistory @penandswordbooks.bsky.social historytheinterestingbits.com/2025/11/29/b...

New: Black Agnes In holding Dunbar Castle through a siege, Agnes thwarted the English at every turn, even when they threatened to execute her brother... #ScottishHistory #womeninhistory @penandswordbooks.bsky.social historytheinterestingbits.com/2025/11/29/b...

On this day in History: 1416 Death of Constance of York, daughter of Edmund of Langley. Married young, Constance led a controversial life, involving herself in political plots and - as a young widow -having an affair with Edmund Holland #medievalsky historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/11/07/c...

On this day in History: 1120 England lost its heir and Henry I lost his only legitimate son, William Ætheling, when the White Ship sank at Barfleur. In all, 300 people lost their lives, including 2 of Henry I's illegitimate children. #medievalsky historytheinterestingbits.com/2016/04/23/w...

Wordly Women: MJ Porter It's Wordly Women time again! And today I am joined by an author who I could chat with all day, and never run out of things to talk about, M.J. Porter. @mjporterauthor.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social @boldwoodbooks.bsky.social #WordlyWomen #WomeninHistory

Wordly Women: MJ Porter It's Wordly Women time again! And today I am joined by an author who I could chat with all day, and never run out of things to talk about, M.J. Porter.

Book Corner: The Knight’s Pledge by Scott Mariani "The story is gripping and full of suspense." historytheinterestingbits.com/2025/11/21/b... @scottmariani.bsky.social @thehistorybits.bsky.social #HistoricalFiction #BookReview

Book Corner: Set during the Third Crusade, The Knight's Pledge by Scott Mariani is a fabulous adventure!

Had such a fabulous time chatting with Carol Ann Lloyd about Scotland's Medieval Queens; who they were and the impact they had on history. We discuss Shakespeare's portrayal of Lady Macbeth, St Margaret and so much more! #scottishqueens @penandswordbooks.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJiJ...

Today in 1230: Death of Nicholaa de la Haye, Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle. Nicholaa had steadfastly defended Lincoln Castle against all comers and in 1216 was appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire by King John. She did it all 'acting manfully'. historytheinterestingbits.com/2023/06/03/1...

Had such a fabulous time chatting with Carol Ann Lloyd about Scotland's Medieval Queens; who they were and the impact they had on history. And if you are in the US, Scotland's Medieval Queens is on a special discount at the minute, at under $5 #medievalsky open.spotify.com/episode/4Rb2...

The latest episode of A Slice of Medieval is out! And to celebrate 80! episodes @matthewharffy.bsky.social joins @derekbirks.bsky.social and myself to chat about his latest book, Dominion of Dust, and the challenges of travel to the Holy Land before the Crusades #podcast #medievalsky bit.ly/4odSK1O

Medieval Queens of Scots with Sharon Bennett Connolly: Scotland's Medieval Queens were at the heart of power struggles, threatened with murder and imprisonment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJiJ... @thehistorybits.bsky.social @shakeuphistory.bsky.social #History #podcast

The story of Edward the Exile The son of Edmund II Ironside, Edward was sent to eastern Europe as a toddler. He returned to England with a wife and family as aetheling. Tragically, fate intervened and he died just a week after arriving back in England. historytheinterestingbits.com/2018/11/10/e...

Damn! Just realised my blog passed 2 million views - in May! 😁😁😁😁😁😁 HistorytheInterestingBits.com

The latest episode of A Slice of Medieval is out now! @derekbirks.bsky.social and I have a fascinating chat with @historylauren.bsky.social about the subject of her latest book, the much-maligned and misunderstood - and remarkable, Margaret Beaufort! #medievalsky soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

#OTD in History: 1440 Death of Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland. The daughter of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford, Joan's children fought on both sides of the Wars of the Roses. #womeninhistory #historyheroines #Yorkshire historytheinterestingbits.com/2019/09/21/j... via @Thehistorybits

Fabulous 5* review of Scotland's Medieval Queens: "...It not only restores visibility to neglected historical figures but also elevates the study of monarchy beyond battles and bloodlines. For readers of medieval history and gendered power, Connolly offers both clarity and reverence" #womeninhistory

Step aboard the Golden Hinde with Sir Francis Drake in Drake – Tudor Corsair — a gripping tale of adventure, ambition, danger and discovery on the high seas: 🇺🇸 www.amazon.com/dp/B08FCTYQF4 🇬🇧 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FCTYQF4 #Elizabethan #Tudors #HistoricalFiction

Wordly Women: Rosemary Griggs Just over a year ago I spent a fabulous weekend at the Historical Novel Society Conference at Dartington Hall in Devon. It was a fabulous weekend! And amidst it all I had a meet Rosemary Griggs. And I am chatting with her again today, for my Wordly Women series

Book Corner: Return of the Wolf by Steven A. McKay New Book Corner: Return of the Wolf by Steven A. McKay. I do love a good legend! And Steven A. McKay brings the legend Robin Hood to life!

The latest episode of A Slice of Medieval is out now! @derekbirks.bsky.social and I have a fascinating chat with @historylauren.bsky.social about the subject of her latest book, the much-maligned and misunderstood - and remarkable, Margaret Beaufort! #medievalsky soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

The story of one of the most remarkable and tragic women of the Tudor period. Anne Askew was thrown out by her husband for embracing the Reformation. She was tortured and burned for her beliefs #TudorHeroines #womeninhistory historytheinterestingbits.com/2024/08/17/t... via @Thehistorybits

In the latest edition of A Slice of Medieval, @derekbirks.bsky.social and @thehistorybits.bsky.social chat with Sara Cockerill about the life, times, loves and challenges of Eleanor of Castile, queen of Edward I soundcloud.com/user-1425259... #podcast #medieval

Matilda of Scotland, the Good Queen New! The story of Matilda of Scotland, wife of Henry I, Known as Good Queen Maud or "the Good Queen"

Guest post today on @thehistorybits.bsky.social website, talking about the release of my new book on the formidable women of the Burgundian Empire #medieval #womenshistory @penandswordbooks.bsky.social historytheinterestingbits.com/2025/10/29/g...

Writing about Katherine Knyvett, Countess of Suffolk (1564 - 1638) ~ Her uncle, Sir Thomas Knyvett, helped to foil the "Gunpowder Plot". #Stuarts