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Eleanor Swift-Hook

@emswifthook.bsky.social
1.1K followers 843 following 196 posts

Author of Lord's Legacy #HistoricalFiction set in the #EnglishCivilWar and Lord's Learning set in the #30YearsWar. Find more about it on my website: eleanorswifthook.com 🗃️ #EarlyModern #17thC #17thCentury #History

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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Another magnificent painting from Philips #Wouwerman (1619-1668)! White horse with red-clad rider, of course! But so much more - women washing, bathers, horses swimming and being ferried, so much activity beneath an all-embracing sky, captured on a canvas just 46cm x 64cm.
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Mansfeld's troops head towards a date with destiny at Dessau Bridge...
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Hessen, 10. April 1626 Hierlands geht es jetzt seltsam her / die Untertanen haben sich gegen die Garnisonen gewandt und überfallen, weil das Land ganz verderbt / mit dänischen Capitänen und 700 Soldaten zum Städtlein Rotenburg gezogen, darin 300 Holsteinsche Knecht ... 1/4
Truppen Kämpfe in einem Dorf, Schlacht von Stadtlohn Detail von Sebastian Vrancx
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Whilst recruitment in Silesia is struggling as all are going to the Danes or Mansfeld - Mansfeld hangs a Dutch engineer for selling out to Wallenstein!
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Rom, 11. April 1626 Herzog von Mantua, Truppen / der Papst hat in der Karwoche den gewöhnlichen Gebrauch mit Füßwaschung, Speisung, persönlicher Aufwartung und Kleidung 12 (92?) armer Männer verrichtet / Frankreich unter Herzog von Angulesme zieht mit 24.000 Mann zur Kurpfalz
altes Bild Petersplatz, Rom - voller Leute
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Tony Riches @tonyriches.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Ambition. Loyalty. Betrayal: ‘Essex – Tudor Rebel’ brings to life the gripping true story of Robert Devereux, the charismatic Earl who defied Elizabeth I. mybook.to/EssexTudorRe... #Elizabethan #Tudors #HistoricalFiction #Audiobook
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Vera Kober Art @vera-kober-art.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
My flower painting 🌼
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Tony Riches @tonyriches.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Jane Austen noted in the margin of her father’s book The History of England that the Stuarts were “A family that were always ill-used, betrayed or neglected, whose virtues are seldom allowed, while their errors are never forgotten.” #StuartSunday
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
A decidedly not-grey horse by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) in 'Dune Landscape with Rabbit Hunters' c1648. What an amazing sky! There are still hints of white and red though, with a white dog and the man in a red coat. Then that inevitable half-dead tree too. Kunsthaus Zürich
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
'Three Horsemen halting at a Well' or maybe 'Rider's Rest Place'? Either way the dog is white and the horse sort of reddish, though I'm sure the horse behind it is a grey. By Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668), of course. Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Not every horse painted as the main feature in a picture by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) was a grey. He clearly preferred them, however there are exceptions like this in 'Horseman resting with his dog' c1646. But then there is that white dog...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) didn't do many religious paintings, but this is one with an Easter theme - 'A View of Mount Calvary with the Crucifixion', c1652. It inevitably includes horses and one is, of course, a magnificent grey!
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
A truly magnificent grey horse here in 'Riders halting at an Inn', c1650s - by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) of course! So much detail to explore and that amazing cloudy sky!
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
April Fool is not an ancient tradition - or even a Medieval one - it didn't exist before the 16th Century and wasn't known in the UK until later in the 17th Century. So how did it come about and who was the original April Fool? I investigated... eleanorswifthook.com/2026/04/01/w...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Not quite sure what those humans on the right are up to, but this is 'Three horses in a meadow landscape' and one of them, naturally enough, is a grey since this is by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) and from the 1650s. You can find it in the National Gallery, Prague.
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
'Manege Riding in the Open Air' c1650 by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668). Manege is a term for the Haute École riding skills used to train horses and riders in disciplined techniques surviving today in dressage. Yes, there's a grey—but for me that lovely palomino steals the show!
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
This horse kicks out but thankfully seems to do no damage, in 'Horse pond near a boundary stone' by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) from sometime after 1650. Rijksmuseum Love that evocative, tumultuous sky!
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Historia – the HWA @historia-hwa.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Congrats on publication to @emswifthook.bsky.social! 
Philip Lord is forced ashore in England, 1628, he must face his past and the shadowy organisation that has shaped his life. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine returns to London seeking protection, but finds danger instead. amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GRD8BLV8
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Tony Riches @tonyriches.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Book Launch Guest Post by Eleanor Swift Hook : The Turncoat’s Revenge (Lord's Learning Book 3) tonyriches.blogspot.com/2026/03/book... @emswifthook.bsky.social #HistoricalFiction #BookLaunch
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
The Turncoat's Revenge is out now! 1628: A savage year for England as the nation embroiled in 3 wars. "At times brutal and even shocking action reminds readers of the challenges of the era, and make this book a real ‘page turner.’ Highly recommended." mybook.to/TheTurncoats...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
A very badly behaved horse here! The grey horse has kicked out and floored a woman who had a basket of apples which are now scattered on the ground. I hope she's not been hurt! 'The kicking horse' by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) from sometime after 1650.
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Amsterdam, 18. März 1626 * in England 2 reich beladene Schiffe aus West-Indien (Amerika) eingelaufen * etliche holländ. Kriegsschiffe zur Begleitung dahin gesandt * etliche frz. Kommissare in Den Haag angelangt, "sehr wichtige Sachen zuhandlen" ... 1/3
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Es wird bestätigt / daß die Dänischen die Stadt Osnabrück / neben mehr andern Orten erobert / und 7 Praelaten gefangen genommen. #Osnabrück - Aus Wolfenbüttel den 19. Martij 1626 brema.suub.uni-bremen.de/zeitungen17/...
Stadt Osnabrugum / Ossenbrück am Fluss Hasa, Merian 1650
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Erfurt, 19. März 1626 Truppenwerbungen in Erfurt und in der Region. Herzog von Holstein Musterplatz in Schmalkalden. Herzog Franz Albrecht von Lauenburg mit 4.500 Mann aus Hessen zum Tilly Lager. Wallenstein Volk um Dessau, Mansfeld vorzubeugen. aus: brema.suub.uni-bremen.de/zeitungen17/...
alte Karte Thüringen, Erfurt um Umgebung
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Marck Brandenburg, 19. März 1626 Armada des Königs in Frankreich und England unter Mansfeld rückt noch täglich die Elbe und Havel höher. Hat nun auch Brandenburg beide Städte mit Volk besetzt. Kommt uns nahe - man hofft aber, er will nach Dessau, weil Wallenstein dahin gewollt.
alte Karte Elbe von  Hamburg, Dömitz, Havelburg rauf Havel Brandenburg, auch Dessau und Wolfenbüttel markiert
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Bremen, 20. März 1626 Mansfeld liegt mit 12.000 Mann / 4.000 Pferden bey Sandro^H^H Sandam/Sandauf [1] Noch 4.000 Dänische Soldaten unter Obrist Hagen zu ihm gestoßen. Dabei ein Kurier von Bethlen Gabor mit Schreiben, weil ihm Kur-Brandenburg die Gilchischen Land zur Heirat versprochen! ... 1/4
alte Karte zwischen Brandenburg und Berlin, Marker auf "Sarament"
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Reports of skirmishes involving Mansfeld's troops and the Danes against Imperial forces...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Spinola appointed as commander for a new armada of Flanders!
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Am 22. März 1626 wird die Bergstadt Lautenthal im Harz durch die Truppen von Johann T’Serclaes von Tilly geplündert. #Lautenthal de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lautent...
alte Karte zeigt Lautenthal im Harz, Goslar, CellerfeldLautenthal zwischen bewaldeten Hügeln mit rauchenden Schornsteinen, Merian um 1650
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
'A horseman and beggars' c1649 by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668). I love how the glowing clouds are hinting at sunshine beyond the walls of the ruin! Part of the Landesmuseum Grand Ducal Collection in Oldenburg.
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Paris, 16. März 1626 Geistliche halten geheime Versammlungen ab / als Parlament davon erfährt, etliche Commissare und 50 Sergenten dahin geschickt, solches zu unterbinden / die Geistlichen ihnen aber gedroht! sich nicht "durch Buben und Lackayen tractieren zu lassen" und gespottet / ... 1/3
Paris Stadtkern 1618, Visscher Karte, Seine
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Nürnberg, 16. März 1626 Vorbereitung für Tagung laufen, Kur-Mainzer Furier gestern eingetroffen, der kaiserliche morgen. Rat will Ehren-Pforte machen lassen. Der Kaiser und der Herzog in Bayern lassen allenthalben stark werben, ist aber wenig Volk vorhanden. aus: Frischmann Zeitung, 14/1626
Teile Stadtplan Nürnberg um 1600 mit Burg
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Die Batavia war ein Segelschiff der Niederl. Ostindien-Kompanie, am 17. März 1626 in Auftrag gegeben. Es lief 1629 auf seiner ersten Reise vor Australien auf ein Riff und sank. Ein Nachbau des Schiffs wurde von 1985-1995 auf der Bataviawerft in Lelystad gefertigt. de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavia...
de.wikipedia.org
Batavia (Schiff, 1628) – Wikipedia
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
17.3.1626 ... Munition und Volk gut versehen. Alle Mägde müssen aus der Stadt(!), "und soviel ein Bürger gehabt / soviel Soldaten muss einer dagegen halten". Mansfelder in der Marck. Weil Wallenstein ihm beim Dessau aufwartet, hat der König Mansfeld noch 4.000 Mann gesandt.
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Negotiations in Brunswick break down and the war is set to continue. Wallenstein awaits Mansfeld at Dessau and the Danes occupy Wolfenbüttel...
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
East India Company, 7/17. March 1626 John Chamberlain an Sir Dudley Carleton, Botschafter am frz. Hof. Ein persischer Botschafter [Nukud Aly Beg] hatte gestern Audienz und hätte diese bereits vor 2 Wochen gehabt, wäre es nicht zu einem Zwischenfall zw. ihm und Sir Robert Sherley gekommen ... 1/3
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Havelberg, 18. März 1626 Mansfeld am hiesigen Thumb [Dom] angekommen / lässt die Brücke stark befestigen, um das Geschütz darüber zu führen. Die Prignitz wie auch die alte Marck liegen voller Kriegsvolk! mehr: brema.suub.uni-bremen.de/zeitungen17/...
Havelberg mit Dom und Havel, Merian 1650
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Apollonia Schiffelholzin wird am 18. März 1626 wegen "Hexerei" in #Eichstätt hingerichtet. Witwe des Leonhard Dür, Hofschmied, seit 1614 in 2. Ehe verheiratet mit Georg Schiffelholz, Schmied in Eichstätt de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexenve...
de.wikipedia.org
Hexenverfolgung im Hochstift Eichstätt – Wikipedia
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
18.3.1626 Kaiser sicher zum Deputationstag / 1.500 Crabaten marschieren nach Böhmen / 4.000 Kosaken nach Tyllis Lager. 5 Weibspersonen eingezogen, die uneheliche Kinder gehabt und diese umgebracht. Oberensische Stände mit Kaiser uneins.
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Richard Wollaston died 17 March 1626 - an English sea captain and pirate. One of the first colonists in New England and the namesake of Mount Wollaston (Merrymount Colony) and Wollaston (Quincy, Massachusetts) ... 1/2 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard...
en.wikipedia.org
Richard Wollaston - Wikipedia
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
"At times brutal and even shocking action reminds readers of the challenges of the era, and make this book a real ‘page turner.’ Highly recommended." The Turncoat's Revenge (Lord's Learning Book 3), is now available for pre-order! mybook.to/TheTurncoatsRevenge
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
This is 'Riding Academy' by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668) which is in the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Something seems to have upset that grey horse - perhaps it's the red coat the rider in front of it is sort of wearing...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
This is 'A grotto with travellers unloading a wagon, a gypsy fortune-teller, a blacksmith and other figures' by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668). I love how someone gave it a long descriptive title without mentioning what that greyhorse is doing—surely a most distinctive feature…
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
You have to look a bit more carefully than usual to spot the grey horse which has a rider wearing a red cloak in 'Landscape with signal post' painted sometime after 1650 by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668). Rijksmuseum.
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vor400 (1626) @vor400.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
East India Company, 3/13. March 1626 Complaint of bread; light loaves produced in Court; a baker at Gravesend to supply the ships at Erith ... more: www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-pa...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Being an ambassador could be dangerous - A Polish one challenging Bethlen Gabor on why he had let Tartar troops through his land to attack Poland - was killed for his enquiry...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Grain sent to Wallenstein's army as troops are reaised to protect Bohemia and Silesia from Mansfeld...
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
In Prague it is reprted that there was conflict between Transylvania and Poland - when a Polish nobleman stole the carriage intended for Bethlen Gabor's bride. Gabor invaded Poland and retreived it...
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Tony Riches @tonyriches.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book Review: The Fugitive's Sword, by E.M. Swift Hook "Highly recommended." tonyriches.blogspot.com/2025/01/blog... @emswifthook.bsky.social #Stuarts #HistoricalFiction #BookReview
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Eleanor Swift-Hook @emswifthook.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
"...a warm, silvery and transparent sky... a gentleman... on a fine horse; his servant who rides a white one, upon which is a red saddle, is dismounted, and giving him to eat, out of a basket." 'Halt of Travellers' c1647 by Philips #Wouwerman (1619–1668), Dulwich Gallery.
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