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S J Alexander

@5alexander.bsky.social
202 followers 228 following 226 posts

Author of historical fiction. Uncovering the real-life sea voyages, and secrets of Elizabethan John Bond. For fans of Bernard Cornwell, SJ Parris, Alison Weir & Ken Follett

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Reposted by S J Alexander
Tony Riches @tonyriches.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Elizabeth St John: "Writing is hard work, and there are so many reasons I keep at it. To entertain, to amuse, to make people laugh and cry. And to educate. I’m a historian and, most of all, I love to create something that wasn’t there before." @elizabethstjohn.bsky.social #Writing
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
John Bond, on His Majesty's Special Service, in 1624! John Bond, a Messenger of the King's Chamber. Sent to Calais to fetch the Padre Maestre, an envoy sent by the King of Spain. Source: The National Archives, Kew (SP 78/72/60) #Genealogy #History #17thCenturyHistory #FamilyHistory #bond
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Long before the Bond family rooted itself in Dorset, their story began at Earth in Cornwall. Spanning centuries, their diaries tell a tale of a family interwoven with history Their stories wait to be told, but not for much longer... #dorset #bondfamily #visitdorset #history #familytree #genealogy
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Sometimes you need a walk and the countryside to calm the mind. Thank you nature! 😍
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Searching for inspiration at the British Museum. I found a Decade Ring, used as a secret device to replace the banned Rosary beads. This one had the coat of arms of the Tichbourne family. #history #Britishmuseum #amwriting #tudors
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Non Sufficit Orbis, The Earth Does Not Suffice. The Bond family motto. But was it a religious idea, or a pun on their origins from Earth Barton, Cornwall. From Cornwall to the US, do you carry the Bond name or trace your roots to Earth Barton? #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilyTree #Dorset #history
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
From the Bond family archives in Dorset, I've found evidence of 16-year-old witness of a religious massacre becoming Captain of Portland Castle during the Armada! #portlandcastle #englishheritage #dorset #familytree D-BOC/UA/Accession 889/Box22 published with permission from Dorset History Centre
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
John Bond at the tender age of 16 took a family hostage to save his life. During the Armada, he was Captain of Portland Castle. The story of the Bond family of Dorset, researched from manuscripts in the Dorset History Centre. #familytree #history #tudors #dorset
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
In 1572 John Bond did the unimaginable. During the St Bartholomew’s Massacre, at the age of 16, he took a family hostage to save his own life. Documented in their ancestral diaries #history #tudors #Dorset D-BOC/UA/Accession 889/Box22 published with permission from Dorset History Centre
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The 17th Century diary that started my 18 year obsession! By Dennis Bond, of Dorset in 1640. How his father saved his life by holding a family hostage in the middle of a religious massacre. The beginning of a family motto. Non Sufficit Orbis #tudor #history #dorset
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Silver medal. Bust of King Charles IX, wearing armour and sash. Hercules killing the Lernian Hydra with torch and club. Hard not to think of the 'many headed beast' of Protestantism and the St Bartholomew Day Massacre as the original production was 1572 ©The Trustees of the British Museum #history
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
One of the many Bond family mottos... The eye doth find, the heart doth choose, faith doth bind, and death doth lose. Evolved over to... Non Sufficit Orbis / The World Does Not Suffice Dorset History Centre, Dorchester #tudors #dorset #history 📚⏳️
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
One of the many Bond family mottos: The eye doth find, the heart doth choose, faith doth bind, and death doth lose. Found in the 1640 family diary with signature in the centre. Found in Dorset History Centre, Dorchester #tudors #dorset #history ⏳️📚
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
There are worse places to be inspired to write. I'm incredibly lucky to have to keep coming back to Dorset to research my book. Thank you family for putting up with it.😅 #visitdorset #westbay #dorset
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
At the British Museum is a 16th-century brass gunner’s square, 1575. ​Specialized scales across its arms and small fold-outs for artillery calculations and commerce, creating an Elizabethan swiss army knife of practical mathematics. #tudors #ships #history #Britishmuseum #nautical
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Idyllic Dorset, but it looks like the Mediterranean. Henry VIII's sister fort to Portland Castle. Protecting the deep water anchorage of Weymouth Roads. A deterrent for the Armada in 1588 but now a beautiful ruin, eroded by years of the salty sea wind. #castles #tudors #dorset #visitdorset
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Henry VIII had Portland Castle built deliberately short and squat. Military genius for the time, give the enemy ships nothing to aim at, use thick, curved walls to bounce cannonballs off. Always good to finish up with a cream tea. #PortlandCastle #Dorset #VisitDorset #EnglishHeritage #TudorHistory
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Writing today was slightly hindered today due to the need for cuddles. Totally worth it!😍🐶 Final days of the edit. Looking for ARC readers soon! 📚⏳️ #amwriting #authors #arcreaders #arc
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Reposted by S J Alexander
S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Step back into 1539! Portland Castle is one of Henry VIII’s coastal fortresses. ​Unlike Tudor palaces, this is pure military muscle, built with local Portland stone, shaped like a fan, and designed specifically to house heavy artillery. #Englishheritage #HenryVIII #Dorset #History #tudors
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Reposted by S J Alexander
S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
A true treasure hunt in Lanhydrock's Long Gallery... Lost myself in the rows of rare books. Found some absolute heavyweights of Tudor-era history: Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Hakluyt's Voyages... but the ultimate prize proved elusive! #books #nationaltrust #rarebooks #tudor #history
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Reposted by S J Alexander
S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Amazing series on The Rest Is History. Elizabeth Vs the Catholics. Fully recommended for any lover of #history or #tudors! 👏⏳️📚🎧 therestishistory.com/series/eliza...
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Amazing series on The Rest Is History. Elizabeth Vs the Catholics. Fully recommended for any lover of #history or #tudors! 👏⏳️📚🎧 therestishistory.com/series/eliza...
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
How you feel when you change a characters name in your book, send it out for Beta readers and realise that name is used for someone else! #authors #amwriting #arc #beta
static.klipy.com
Kid Screaming in Distress
ALT: Kid Screaming in Distress
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Reposted by S J Alexander
S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Is this the most spectacular spot for a castle in the UK? The sea was so blue it looked like the Mediterranean! Crossing the gorge to reach the island peninsula is breathtaking and the statue of King Arthur has a Ringwraith magical quality. #Tintagel #EnglishHeritage #Cornwall #KingArthur
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Is this the most spectacular spot for a castle in the UK? The sea was so blue it looked like the Mediterranean! Crossing the gorge to reach the island peninsula is breathtaking and the statue of King Arthur has a Ringwraith magical quality. #Tintagel #EnglishHeritage #Cornwall #KingArthur
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
A true treasure hunt in Lanhydrock's Long Gallery... Lost myself in the rows of rare books. Found some absolute heavyweights of Tudor-era history: Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Hakluyt's Voyages... but the ultimate prize proved elusive! #books #nationaltrust #rarebooks #tudor #history
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
​Designed by architect Frank Matcham and opened on Christmas Eve 1904, the London Coliseum was built as the ultimate "people's palace of entertainment." Topped by a glass-and-iron globe that originally revolved, it must have been a magical sight! I however saw Now You See Me. Still magical!
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Fascinating listen. Especially interesting about reading all the letters in a packet to fet the whole picture of their meaning.
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
This feels like the process for writing a book. Just keep going and you'll get there, but not before the pitfalls and depression stage. #amwriting #authors #arcreaders
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
In Box Park, working on the edits of the novel while waiting for my daughter to come out of the Bruno Mars concert at Wembley. This manuscript really has been everywhere! #amwriting #authors #brunomars #wembley
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
​A perfect day to explore Sandsfoot Castle Gardens. Looking out over the water, you can spot Portland Castle keeping watch on the other side. Henry VIII really picked the best spots for his coastal forts. 🌊🏰 ​ #Dorset #HistoricUK #tudors #weymouth
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It has hit me today. I've written 97k words, I'm 2/3 through the final edit, things should be good! But I can't think, or write. I can't go on. I feel like the final stretch of the marathon is just out of reach. I don't believe any of this is worthwhile! Why am I even doing this? #amwriting #authors
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Great listen about the Dutch Revolt. If you're interested, give me a follow as the Dutch revolt features in my debut novel. More to follow... #history #amwriting #tudors #therestishistory therestishistory.com/episodes/the...
open.spotify.com
680. The Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
The Rest Is History · Episode
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Step back into 1539! Portland Castle is one of Henry VIII’s coastal fortresses. ​Unlike Tudor palaces, this is pure military muscle, built with local Portland stone, shaped like a fan, and designed specifically to house heavy artillery. #Englishheritage #HenryVIII #Dorset #History #tudors
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
My first draft 📚⏳️⛵️⚓️ has been to Dorset, London, Seville and Wycombe while I work on the edits. It's now in a worse state than the 500 year old manuscripts its inspired by😂 #histfic #dorset #amwriting #authors #tudors
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Beneath the Royal Alcázar of Seville 🏛️✨ ​Legend says King Pedro I’s beautiful mistress bathed in these waters to escape the Andalusian heat. ​A perfect blend of medieval engineering and romantic myth, preserved in a flawless reflection. 🇪🇸 ​#Seville #HistoryBluesky #Architecture #Spain
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Reposted by S J Alexander
S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Calling all #authors, and #readers. I #amwriting a #tudor #histfic novel and working on the blurb for the back of the book. I think I'm nearly there, but I'm too close to it. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated🙏. See below 👇
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Calling all #authors, and #readers. I #amwriting a #tudor #histfic novel and working on the blurb for the back of the book. I think I'm nearly there, but I'm too close to it. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated🙏. See below 👇
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Found the Nao Victoria replica docked on the Guadalquivir in Seville! ​This ship was the first to circumnavigate the globe (1519-22). 270 souls left, only 18 returned! In 1588, my protagonist John Bond fights for his family against this global empire.🌊⚓ 📚⏳️ #Tudors #elizabethans #HistoricalFiction
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
​Seville Cathedral: Ferdinand holding the globe - Spain’s 16th Century imperial mindset in one image. ​By 1588, the Spanish motto was "the world is not enough." But Elizabethan merchant John Bond had other plans. My debut novel follows John's fight against the empire. 🌍⚓⏳️📚 ​ #amwriting #History
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Great episode of @tudorsdynasty.bsky.social talking the the talented Tracey Borman. 📚⏳️ #histfic #history open.spotify.com/episode/46my...
open.spotify.com
The House of Boleyn: History Meets Fiction
Tudors Dynasty & Beyond · Episode
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
How could I not reenact the scene? #gladiator
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
That chained library looks awesome! 📚⏳️ Almost like something out of the restricted section at Hogwarts! #harrypotter meets #tudors
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Wow! Just received newer revisions. I'm so happy with them and really want to share. Watch this space!!!!
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
My revised cover designs are in. They are looking great! I can't wait to be able to finally reveal the cover of my debut novel! 🤩🤩 Thank you Patrick Knowles 🤩🤩 www.instagram.com/patrick_know... #arcreader #amwriting #authors 📚⏳️ #booksky
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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
So true! Inspiration and motivation help get you started, but habit and determination are needed to fill the page.
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Reposted by S J Alexander
S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
"Maritime aspects... compare favourably with many published works of historical fiction." ⚓️📖 "Impressed by both the level of research and the quality of the writing" I just received a manuscript review from Professor Craig Lambert @medievalmariner.bsky.social and I couldn't be more thrilled.
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