iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This particular ring bears the arms of Tichbourne, a family deeply tied to history. Chidiock Tichbourne was executed in 1586 for his role in the Babington plot.

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

After rosaries were banned in England in 1571, Catholics found discreet ways to keep their devotion alive. Enter the Decade Ring. An inspiring addition to my novel.... coming soon! #BritishMuseum #History #DecadeRing #TudorHistory #HistoricalJewelry

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Currently reading... Alison Weir's - The Cardinal. ⏳️📚

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Finally read my first Kate Mosse book. It took me a while to get into it, not a lot seemed to happen in the first 50 pages, BUT once the locations and characters had been established, it was a good read. I've got a few others on my TBR list before I'll dip back into the series. 📚⏳️😍 #tudors

Kate Mosse - The Burning Chambers book cover

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Ronnica Fatt @ronnicareads.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

582/600 💙📚⏳📚 🎧📖: Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory Genre: Historical fiction Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Thoughts: these books are my comfort listen

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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

Not the John Bond I was originally searching for, but what an incredible piece of history to stumble upon!

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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

I heard a rumour that cruise lines were trying to put a stop to the ducks. 😢

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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 · 04/09/2026

Thanks @james6-58.bsky.social I plan on posting on here when I've got everything up and running. Are you a fan of historical fiction?

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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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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 · 03/09/2026

I must have missed a bit of news or gossip, but how comes no one was talking about Nico Williams this transfer window?

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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 · 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 · 01/09/2026

Thats great to hear! Love the podcast on #talkingtudors about Kat Ashley.

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Book cover designed by the fantastic Patrick Knowles. Very happy with it.

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Its with an editor getting a copy edit. I'll be after ARC readers in a couple of months hopefully

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

About to hand over to an editor for Line Edits. Will be seeking ARC readers in a couple of months.

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Not really. I've come up with a name that I think suits the character just as well, Harewood.

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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

The main antagonist is better suited to the name. The other character was very much a bit part, so their name has changed. I guess it shows how much I like the name 'Beckett'! 😆

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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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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

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Beautiful view. Wish I were there!

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Its always a pleasure to part of the team working on this great series.

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Weymouth is amazing, so many places nearby to visit and go for a walk. Holds a special place in my heart. This is Sandsfoot and Abbottsbury ( before the summer drought)

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S J Alexander @5alexander.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I so need to visit here! Have you listened to TheRestIsHistory podcast Elizabeth Vs The Catholics? Great listen.

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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 · 01/08/2026

Down on West Bay a few weeks ago. One of the most beautiful spots.

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