Fascinating talk this evening 🤓

Diving into the world of 18th century wills 🤓

The poppies at the Tower of London

This is The Roper Gate in Canterbury. Once the entrance to Place House. It was once owned by William Roper and Margaret Roper, daughter of Sir Thomas More. Just opposite is St Dunstan’s church, the final resting place of Sir Thomas More’s head.

What was ‘slighting’ a castle? 🏰 Despite their victory, many Parliamentarians feared Royalist uprisings, and so the decision was taken to dismantle, or ‘slight’, many castles across England to ensure they could not be used for military action again. 📷: Michael Molcher

After two quiet weeks in the studying department, I’m back to it. Taking a deep dive into local involvement in the English Civil Wars #englishcivilwars #stuarthistory #KentHistory #Canterbury #historysub #seventeenthcentury

Reading about Kent and the Civil Wars this weekend #englishcivilwars

Joan, the first Princess Of Wales 1328-1385 known in history as “The Fair Maid Of Kent" #stainedglasssunday

This weekend I have been mostly reading about Kent and the English Civil Wars, also also making the most of this wonderful sunshine! What have you been reading this weekend? #seventeenthcentury #historypup #englishcivilwars #localhistory #historyofkent #kenthistory #history

Despite my book buying ban, I’ve bought 6 this week… oops (all history non-fiction)

Not Just the Tudors: @sixteenthcgirl.bsky.social and @drjoannepaul.bsky.social explore Robert Dudley's life while Dr. Tracey Wedge reveals his extraordinary wardrobe: podfollow.com/not-just-the... #Tudors #Podcast

You don't need to say it. The Earl of Dorset knows you're jealous of his shoes.

A stunning day out yesterday at the Bath Fashion Museum stores. They hold an exceptional collection of 17th-century gloves and other embroidered items. You can really follow a shift from metal thread to ribbons and appreciate the meticulous stitches that gave each glove their shape. #earlymodern

How the Royalists failed to surprise the Parliamentarians at Southam!

Faversham’s Court Street has links with two of the Stuart monarchs. Charles II was entertained by Captain John Trowts at his home on Court Street. Trowts was a royalist who had been with Charles during his exile. It was after his appointment as mayor in 1660 that Charles paid him a visit.

Yesterday, I was able to spend the day taking photos and researching a couple of local places and historical figures. I’m really looking forward to using this material in my upcoming posts

Margaretha de la Faille enframed by scads of gold putti, painted in 1674 by Jan Verkolje (born this day 1650).

On Tuesday 25th February the statue of Aphra Behn was unveiled outside The Beaney in Canterbury. Known as the first professional woman writer, she was born in Harbledown and grew up in Canterbury before moving to London.

Self Portrait, 1790 by French painter Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun #womensart

What’s everyone reading this weekend? I’ve a pile of books I’m halfway through. So I decided I would try to finish London : The Executioner’s City by David Brandon & Alan Brooke. There was an expo a couple of years ago on the subject which I unfortunately missed, so I bought the book 🤓

#OTD 23rd February 1525 Start of the Battle of Pavia during the Italian Wars of 1521-1526. The Imperial troops of Emperor Charles V defeated those of King François I of France. #BattleofPavia #EmperorCharles #KingFrancoisI #Spain #France #ItalianWars #Hapsburg #Valois #History

Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on one period of history when so many amazing exhibitions are tempting you into other centuries

Looking forward to reading this one! A tumultuous time which has always fascinated me

My new book is on special offer for pre-order this weekend through Waterstones, do have a look! (I didn't design the cover, but it's great isn't it?) www.waterstones.com/book/the-blo...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Helena Rutkowska about her research into the creation of William Camden’s annals. Helena has been forensically examining the original draft manuscripts that survive in the British Library & has made some fascinating discoveries. Tune in! talkingtudors.podbean.com

Lady Margaret Beaufort the matriarch of the Tudors.She was a great patron of culture, religion & education & contributed to Cambridge University’s church & refounded Christ’s College. #tudors #margaretbeaufort #womenshistory #16thcentury #britishlibrary #medievalwomen #medievalwomenintheirownwords

If you still haven’t been to the Medieval Women: In Their Own Words exhibition at the British Library, then try to see it before it closes in March. It was excellent! I’ll be posting some pics over the next week or so!

Reproduction of a bust thought to be of Ippolita Maria Sforza, 1472 by Francesco Laurana. She received an excellent education and this is one of her schoolbooks #medievalwomen #medieval #books #history

Heading to London for research today. Very excited. I have in the past lived and worked in London, but now when I visit there is something a bit more magical, it echoes with the history of everything I have read and studied about it and the people that have lived there

just occurred to me that I haven't seen a single person here celebrating Gromit's birthday today, we gotta step it up

‘Anne the quene’ Anne of Cleves’ beautiful signature during her brief time as Queen of England in 1540. I took this photograph today in the archives. It’s always wonderful to touch the same documents that the people you write about once handled #anneofcleves #queen #queenofengland #tudor #tudors

A lot of people think that the medieval period was a time of total lawlessness, and to be fair, a lot of stories give that impression. Today Gone Medieval I chatted to Annie Whitehead about TRUE (???) Crime in early medieval England to figure out whomst TF was beefing. eu1.hubs.ly/H0gt7zY0

Since watching BBC’s Wolf Hall & The Mirror and the Light, has anyone else been obsessed with the soundtrack? Beautiful! It’s been going on my head all year so far! #wolfhall #themirrorandthelight #tudor #thomascromwell #henryIII #sountrack

My latest post on Substack is available. You can subscribe for free via my profile. Happy reading! #stuarts #seventeenthcentury #plot #gunpowderplot #guyfawkes #parliament #history open.substack.com/pub/historyp...

Fascinating shift in pike warfare at start of 17th Century in Ireland, especially the burying of armour! (Can confirm it gets bl**dy heavy after the first mile or so...)

Today in 1943 Yugoslav resistance fighter Lepa Radić was killed by the Nazis. Unbroken after days of torture she was given a final chance on the gallows to give up her comrades. She said "I'm no traitor. You'll know them when they come for you, to the last man." She was 17

8 Feb 1649: Burial #otd of Charles I - here's an entirely fanciful 1907 painting of his burial at which there were no rites nor prayers (Bristol Museum & Art Gallery) But it's a romantic piece of work by Ernest Crofts anyway.

From 12th Feb to 2nd Nov, visitors to #HeverCastle can enjoy costumes from #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light! I adored working as an historical advisor on the series, so its a joy to have organised the loan of these treasures, displayed with their portraits. Do come & see! 📷 Oliver Dixon

What your favourite tv/film adaptation of a Jane Austen novel?

My most recent blog post is available on my website. Katherine of Aragon’s use of the pomegranate emblem. I hope you enjoy #history #tudors #katherineofaragon #pomegranates thehistorypomegranate.com/2025/02/06/k...

Oare Gunpowder Works in Faversham is now a nature reserve and has a small visitors centre explaining the history. The park is open all year round but the aviators centre is open from mid-March to November on the weekends. #localhistory #faversham #kent #history

Just been looking through some old photos on my phone and found this one of a copy of the oldest map of London from c1559. Photo taken at the Museum of London in 2022 before it closed. #history #londonmuseum #earlymodernhistory #tudors #maps #londonmap

Another existential crisis solvable only by global collaboration, difficult choices and evidence led policy making. While populists spout comforting lies about greatness/borders/woke.

Been a productive two days writing about the Faversham charters and also Katherine of Aragon (unrelated projects). It’s a great feeling to be writing again! How has the start of your week been? #Faversham #Tudors #katherineofaragon #thehistorypomegranate #localhistory

The Black Prince’s tomb at a recent visit to Canterbury Cathedral. Replicas of his ‘achievements’ can be seen above his tomb, but the originals can be seen in the cathedral’s exhibition #canterbury #blackprince #medievalhistory

The beautifully illuminated Faversham charter from 1546. In the top right hand corner you can see Henry VIII sitting on his throne. It would have been the town who paid for the charter and to have it illuminated.

My first substack publication has been posted. you can check it out here. open.substack.com/pub/historyp...

We're sharing stories with LGBTQ+ subjects throughout #LGBTplusHM25 🏳️‍🌈 Have you heard of the Chevalier D'Éon, who lived as both a man and a woman over 200 years ago? Have a read 👉 https://buff.ly/40Xd5Qc 🧑‍🎨 Thomas Stewart (1766–c.1801) 📷 National Portrait Gallery, London

I'm looking forward to seeing Martin Shaw's portrayal of Sir Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons at The Marlowe Theatre in March