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Gemma Hollman

@gemmahauthor.bsky.social
1.6K followers 227 following 334 posts

Historian, author, and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Runs the Just History Posts blog. Specialises in late medieval women and the English court. Find my links: lnk.bio/GemmaHAuthor

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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I'm so excited to reveal that next month, in celebration of Just History Posts' 10th anniversary, I will be hosting an online event! I'll be joined by @g0blinegg.bsky.social, @thehistorybits.bsky.social, @tudorsdynasty.bsky.social and @janegreyinfo.bsky.social Tickets: justhistoryposts.com/events/
An event poster with a grey background. The text reads:
Just History Posts' 10th Anniversary. Saturday 17th October 4pm BST. An online event celebrating history bloggers. Hear what it takes to found and run a history website, and where the future of historical blogging may be. Learn more at justhistoryposts.com. There are 5 headshots of those taking part in the event: Gemma Hollman, Amy Boucher, Sharon Bennett Connolly, Rebecca Larson and Tamise Hills.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I went to Bodiam Castle a few weeks ago, and it was just absolutely wonderful, a "proper" medieval castle, and beautiful even as a ruin.
A yellowed-stone castle seen through a framing of trees and grasses, with a moat with water lilies in the foregroundA view through a small stone window to a stone turret A view from the top of a tower down to a courtyard surrounded by ruined castle walls
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Rosemary Griggs @ragriggsauthor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I’ll be sharing insights into what I’ve discovered about this remarkable woman and signing copies of my book. By coming along you’ll also be supporting one of Exeter’s oldest buildings. www.ticketsource.com/nicholasprio... #exeter #bookevent
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I've just realised I've never seen a picture of the back before. How wonderful!
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Can confirm have been getting so many AI emails from book clubs/book promotors that are pages and pages of AI, recounting the blurb of my own books to me and saying how they can help. More insidious that they're realising we're mostly not falling for it and are now impersonating real people
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Dr Miranda Kaufmann @drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#Heiresses- which tells the stories of nine British female enslavers- is out in paperback today! Get yours here: linktr.ee/drmirandakau...
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In today's newsletter, I recount my trip to the beautiful Bodiam Castle in Sussex, tease you with plans for Just History Posts' 10th anniversary next month, and introduce a new way to support my work! justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/anniversar...
A background photograph shows a blue sky with clouds, part of a moat surrounded by trees, and the edge of some castle walls. Overlaid is the text "Anniversary Preparations and a New Way to Support", with Just History Posts' Substack URL
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John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The month of September, from a series of the Labours of the Months. Made in England (Norwich), c.1480. V&A, London
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Richard was keen to make a physical mark during his reign, and sprinkled his badge all around Westminster. The muniments White Hart features in my upcoming extended biography of Richard, out in October!
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👻madeline bOoOoOoOodent👻 @oldenoughtosay.com · 19/08/2026
One time I was working in the gallery of Duke Humfrey’s and a bat flew by and I had no idea what to do and didn’t want to leave my desk so I @‘d the Bodleian and ten minutes later I saw a porter sprint past, out of breath, with a butterfly net
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
If you don't already follow Buckinghamshire Archives then you must, their social media is top notch and full of great humour!
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
My latest newsletter is out! This month I'm chatting about the fun process of editing my upcoming book, and a historical trip to Greenwich and the Queen's House. Make sure to take a read! open.substack.com/pub/justhist...
A background image of a blue sky with white clouds, scorched yellow grass, and part of a white colonnade and white building. Overlaid is text that reads "Editing and Trips to Greenwich" with a link to the Just History Posts's substack
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
"The resulting tapestry is a revelation" So happy to share some endorsements for my upcoming book, Richard II: King, Culture and the Court of Venus! I really wanted to create a multi-layered look at Richard's court, bringing in religion, culture, and gender alongside politics and war.
A red background overlaid with endorsement text:

'In sparkling, pacy prose, Gemma Hollman expertly weaves together the myriad strands of politics, warfare, culture, religion and finance that dominated royal life in the late fourteenth century, while also giving due prominence to the many influential and often overlooked women at Richard II’s court. The resulting tapestry is a revelation: an original, nuanced and multi-layered portrait of one of England’s most misunderstood kings.'

-- Catherine Hanley, author of Lionessheart: The Life and Times of Joanna Plantagenet

'Richard II is usually remembered as a boy-king and a tyrant, his reign cut short by deposition and death. In this book, Gemma Hollman reveals a different side to Richard and his court, skilfully contrasting rebellion with artistic brilliance, courtly glamour with political collapse. As ever, Hollman brings women to the forefront of medieval history, shining a light on their roles at the dazzling court of Richard II and offering a fresh perspective on one of England’s most fascinating kings. A must-read for scholars and history lovers alike.'

-- Sylvia Barbara Soberton, author of Mary Boleyn: The Queen's Slandered Sister
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
🌟New Post!🌟 Today we have a fantastic LiDAR guest post, where the folks at Drones as a Service explain what LiDAR is, and how it's transformed our archaeological understanding in recent years, revealing hidden sites in dense jungle and remote mountains #archaeology
justhistoryposts.com
Hidden in Plain Sight: How LiDAR is Revealing Lost Cities
I'm really excited for today's guest post. I've always found archaeology fascinating, and every now and then you hear about amazing ways technology has caused a breakthrough in our historical knowledge. Years ago when I ran my Monthly Round Up series of historical news, numerous pieces looked at this exact thing, such as when radar discovered a new Viking ship burial.
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Louvain Rees ⚰️ @hellohistoria.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
#StainedGlassSunday 🪟 Gorgeous reflection of the stained glass on the tomb of Bishop Thomas Hatfield (d.1381) 🌞 📍Durham Cathedral #Durham #History
An  stone tomb set within a durham cathedral, with a Gothic archway and multicoloured light filtering through a stained-glass window.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
With all the hype around the upcoming Werwulf film, I thought it'd be fun to do a short thread about the history of werewolf legends in Europe! NB there will be some gruesome woodcuts.
A black background with white text reading "Werwulf" (the film's logo)
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Well the British Museum queue for the Bayeaux Tapestry was predictably a disaster - I've queued for 6 hours, finally got in, still tickets available, but the webpage doesn't actually load to let you buy them, just get spinning wheel of doom 🙃 how can organisers still not handle big events?
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
🌟New Post!🌟 Today I'm chatting to Aidan from Epoch bracelets, a new company where users can scan their bracelets to receive daily history facts. I wanted to hear where he got his unique idea from, and what tips he had for other would-be historic business owners #history
justhistoryposts.com
An Interview With: Epoch Bracelets
We're back today with our interview series, talking to Aidan from Epoch bracelets. Aidan and his friend David are two life-time friends with a passion for sharing history through unique education. Aidan is a Liberty University graduate with experience in business, having owned a national franchise that he is still involved with today. He has a passion for aviation, having obtained his Private Pilot’s Certificate in aim to support missions and humanitarian relief efforts.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Another month, another newsletter! Now that we're halfway through the year, I thought I'd take a look forward to the next 6 months of the blog - and particularly to Just History Posts' 10 year anniversary in October! justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/a-look-for...
A red bricked building with white windows. Overlaid is the text "A Look Forward: Just History Posts's Substack" with a URL.
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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
In 1902 a farmer ploughed up this bronze horse at Trundholm, Denmark. Thinking it was an old toy he took it home for his children! 😱 On closer inspection he contacted the National Museum. Now the ‘Sun Chariot’ is an iconic symbol of Denmark’s Bronze Age 3,400 years ago! #FindsFriday #Archaeology
My photo shows an artefact from the early Danish Bronze Age, known as the ‘Sun Chariot’. It is shown in profile in a museum display case and is comprised of a slender stylised bronze horse standing facing right pulling a large circular gold disc. Both the horse and disc are on wheels. The horse’s long legs attach to a frame with four thin wheels, two on either side. The wheels are open circles each with four spokes. The upper part of the rear wheel is missing. A long bronze rod connects the horse’s wheel frame to that of the circular disc which is said to represent the sun. One side of the ‘Sun Disc’ is gilded, as seen in my photo. Except for an outer bronze border, most of the disc’s surface is covered with sheet gold densely ornamented with spirals. Cast from bronze, the horse pulling the gilded sun disc is said to symbolise the motion of the sun through the sky. It measures approx. 54 cm in length, 35 cm in height, and the diameter of the sun disc is 25 cm. Part of the collections of the National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Sorry I've been quiet, big fun things happening in my personal life, including a trip to Florence! So have a picture of David, which is absolutely worth the hype and was stunning to see in person, you must go if you ever get the chance!!
The statue "David" by Michelangelo, seen in this angle looking off to the right of frame.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Really enjoyed the 'Scandalous Liaisons' study day on Saturday with the @richardiiisociety.bsky.social Leicester branch, and telling the story of Alice Perrers and Edward III. As the other talks showed, the late 14th century was definitely a scandalous time for relationships in the royal family!
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John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen, 1493-1555 by Bartholomäus Bruyn (I), 1538 - 1539 (Rijksmuseum) Elisabeth was a daughter of Professor Peter Bellinghausen, Chancellor of Cologne.
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Julia Laite @julialaite.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
This is a long shot because this isn't the old twitter, but I'm looking for history articles/books that look at cases of British/Irish settlers/squatters being prosecuted for crimes against Indigenous/colonized people. It can be anywhere in the world, but ideally the late C18/early C19.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
🌟 Cover Reveal! 🌟 I'm so excited to share my next book, Richard II: King, Culture and the Court of Venus! This book explores not just Richard, but the role of women and household knights, the influence of Richard’s family, and how the Hundred Years’ War impacted religion and foreign policy.
A stained red background with white decorative swirls and leaves on top. A white stag's head and antlers frame a portrait of Richard II. The title reads "Richard II: King, Culture and the Court of Venus" by Gemma Hollman.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
🌟 Cover Reveal! 🌟 I'm so excited to share my next book, Richard II: King, Culture and the Court of Venus! This book explores not just Richard, but the role of women and household knights, the influence of Richard’s family, and how the Hundred Years’ War impacted religion and foreign policy.
A stained red background with white decorative swirls and leaves on top. A white stag's head and antlers frame a portrait of Richard II. The title reads "Richard II: King, Culture and the Court of Venus" by Gemma Hollman.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
🌟New Post!🌟 Today I tuck into a brief moment of history, and look at the legend of the so-called World's Littlest Skyscraper. This four-storey building in Texas, USA, is over a century old, and lies at the heart of a very clever con. #history #folklore
justhistoryposts.com
A Brief Moment of History: The World’s Littlest Skyscraper
As I’m getting back into the groove with blogging after my book hand in, I thought I’d turn back to one of my favourite series, A Brief Moment of History. I was listening to a podcast recently which was talking about famous cons, and the story of the world’s smallest skyscraper was recounted. Fascinated by the tale, I had to do some digging, and it is certainly a fun one.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
🌟New Post!🌟 Today I tuck into a brief moment of history, and look at the legend of the so-called World's Littlest Skyscraper. This four-storey building in Texas, USA, is over a century old, and lies at the heart of a very clever con. #history #folklore
justhistoryposts.com
A Brief Moment of History: The World’s Littlest Skyscraper
As I’m getting back into the groove with blogging after my book hand in, I thought I’d turn back to one of my favourite series, A Brief Moment of History. I was listening to a podcast recently which was talking about famous cons, and the story of the world’s smallest skyscraper was recounted. Fascinated by the tale, I had to do some digging, and it is certainly a fun one.
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John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Woman's cap Venice 1500–1525 (Met Museum)
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Had such a lovely time last night at Cheddington History Society talking about Women in the Middle Ages. Such a friendly, warm group and some really great discussions!
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
I had so much fun writing this piece about the power of pregnancy for a medieval queen, and how this directly impacted the life of Philippa of Hainault, Queen of England. Make sure to take a read! #medieval #WomensHistory
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
... And now that I'm back, I must promote this amazing study day I'm taking part in next month! Scandalous liaisons from the 14th and 15th centuries - what could be better? #medieval
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
I'm finally back from my book writing hovel, so thought I'd kick things of with a newsletter. I chat about my recent visit to the Ramses II exhibition in London, and the fantastic artefacts that lie within: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/the-newsle... #newsletter #history
A red, blue and gold Egyptian necklace sits against a black board. Overlaid is the text "The Newsletter Returns!" with a link to the substack article.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
🌟New Post!🌟 I'm back on the blog, and we are chatting to filmmaker Leon Mitchell about his upcoming documentary and fiction novel about Empress Matilda, the woman who tried to claim the English throne in the 12th century. Hear about his inspiration and process, and why he chose Matilda.
justhistoryposts.com
An Interview With: Leon Mitchell, Filmmaker and Author
After a busy few months finishing off my fourth book (more on that later this year!) I am excited to finally be back to writing on Just History Posts. And we start the year with a great interview from a perspective we haven't yet heard on the blog, that of a filmmaker. Leon Mitchell is an award-winning British author and director recognised for his interdisciplinary approach to storytelling and the human experience.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Book post is always the best post 🌟 The Queen and the Mistress comes out in paperback next week, and they are looking beautiful!! If you want a story of female power and passion at the medieval court, make sure to check it out: www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Mistre... #medieval #WomensHistory #books
A pile of books sit within an opened package. One of the books is held to camera: The Queen and the Mistress by Gemma Hollman. On the cover is a medieval manuscript drawing of two lovers reclining under rose vines.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Had such a lovely time chatting about medieval women this afternoon! And I always love an excuse to get out loads of images of and by them 😊
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
A great day of talks on medieval queens! At lunch I gave a talk at Shoe Lane library in the City of London on my second book, The Queen and the Mistress, then this evening on to the @royalhistsoc.org talk on Queens and the Making of Europe by the fantastic Charles West! Feeling inspired.
A projector screen in a library with a slide show entitled "The Queen and the Mistress"A screen with a medieval carved chess piece of a queen, with the title "'Alike in Appearance but not in Scope': Queens and the Making of Europe". In front is a table with a blue tablecloth and the Royal Historical Society logo.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
A heads up to any other authors part of the Anthropic AI class action - I've just received an email from ClaimsHero trying to get me to sue through them, but a quick check online exposes it's a very poor and misleading option - if you get the same, check this first! authorsguild.org/news/claimsh...
authorsguild.org
Predatory Opt-Out Scheme ClaimsHero Targets Anthropic Settlement Participants: What Authors Need to Know - The Authors Guild
In recent weeks, a third-party law firm, ClaimsHero, has launched an aggressive online campaign urging authors to opt out of the Bartz v. Anthropic copyright settlement. ClaimsHero—which has no litiga...
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
With book deadline rapidly approaching my head is full of everything Richard II, so have a pic of one of my favourite medieval artefacts, the Crown of Princess Blanche - thought to have originally been owned by Anne of Bohemia, Richard's first wife. It is the oldest surviving royal crown of England.
A golden crown heavily embellished with pearls and precious stones.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
This amazing review of The Queen and the Mistress by @thehistorybits.bsky.social came up on my social media memories today and I just had to share it again! One of my favourite reviews from anyone 🥹 If you want to see what Sharon loved so much, try it yourself! www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Mistre...
The review reads: As a non-fiction author, I also read a lot of non-fiction, and cannot write a Best Books of 2023 without including my favourite non-fiction book of the last few years.

So much detail! The Queen and the Mistress is illuminating. A truly remarkable dual biography of the two very different women who held Edward III's affections; his queen, Philippa of Hainault and his mistress, Alice Perrers. Gemma Hollman delves deep into the lives of both to paint vivid portraits of these amazing women.

The beauty of this book is not just in the incredible story but in the depths of research and attention to detail that shines a light into the darkest corners of the lives of these two fascinating women: the consummate queen and the savvy businesswoman.

Gemma Hollman challenges much of the misinformation and misconceptions which have surrounded both women for centuries; she draws the veil from across their lives and provides us with a new and refreshing interpretation of these remarkable women.

A triumph of historical research and interpretation. A must-read for fans of the medieval period and the fourteenth century in particular. It really is a fantastic book. I have truly loved reading it.
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Anne Thériault @annetheriault.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Rest in peace, Mother of a Thousand Memes. We owe so much joy to you!
nytimes.com
Spanish Woman Scorned, Then Loved, for Botched Fresco Restoration Dies at 94
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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Something lovely for the weekend! Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age 💙 Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago. 📷 National Museum of Denmark #Archaeology
The image shows fourty-four annular (ring-shaped) translucent turquoise blue glass beads strung on a modern circular thread and displayed against a black background.

The glass beads were found in 1885 when a farmer ploughed up a cremation urn at Kongehøj in Denmark. The urn broke and was found to contain burnt bones, the 44 blue glass beads and two gold spiral rings. Recent analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), indicating far-reaching trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Merry Christmas for those who celebrate! Hope you've had lovely days with lots of food and warmth. One of my favourites - a fresco depicting January at Castello Buonconsiglio, Trento, Italy, c. 1405-1410 #medieval
A colourful medieval fresco showing a castle in the background and nobles in gowns in the foreground having a snowball fight
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
A really interesting point re: the rise in AI fake citations - as they become more prolific, how are they going to affect the real scholars whose names are being attributed to fake articles?
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Every winter, I love to share the story of Wilson Bentley, the first person to ever take a photograph of a snowflake ❄️🧵 #history #snow
A white man with a moustache, wearing a coat and hat, stands outside a wooden building in the snow with a 19th-century cameraTwelve photographs of snowflakes. They are on individual black squares, and they are a vast variety of shapes and patterns.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
It's my final newsletter of the year! We take a look at the lost treasure of King John, and I also look at the spate of high-profile heritage heists this year and why our historic collections are at such risk from thieves: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/merry-chri... #history #newsletter
A manuscript image of King John, crowned, riding a white horse, with hunting dogs at his feet. Overlaid is the text "Merry Christmas from Just History Posts. Just History Posts's Substack. Justhistoryposts.substack.com"
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
🌟New post!🌟 King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. Shortly before his death, he reputedly lost England's Crown Jewels in The Wash in the east of the country. But how did this happen, and may the treasure be found? #history #medieval #treasure
justhistoryposts.com
A Brief Moment of History: King John and the Lost Crown Jewels
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. His reputation at the time of his death and afterwards was so disastrous that in the 800 years after his death, no other English king has taken the name John. King John is known for many things: his unusual ascent to the throne, the Magna Carta, his reputation as king, but perhaps most importantly to archaeologists and treasure hunters alike is the loss of his baggage trains containing the English Crown Jewels in what is known as the Wash in October 1216 shortly before his death.
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Gemma Hollman @gemmahauthor.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
🌟New post!🌟 King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. Shortly before his death, he reputedly lost England's Crown Jewels in The Wash in the east of the country. But how did this happen, and may the treasure be found? #history #medieval #treasure
justhistoryposts.com
A Brief Moment of History: King John and the Lost Crown Jewels
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. His reputation at the time of his death and afterwards was so disastrous that in the 800 years after his death, no other English king has taken the name John. King John is known for many things: his unusual ascent to the throne, the Magna Carta, his reputation as king, but perhaps most importantly to archaeologists and treasure hunters alike is the loss of his baggage trains containing the English Crown Jewels in what is known as the Wash in October 1216 shortly before his death.
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Steve @portaspeciosa.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Looking across the Presbytery crossing vaults at Salisbury Cathedral from the clerestory. The scissor arches are older than those at Wells Cathedral and may well have been the inspiration for them. On the roof can be seen the 'ghosts' of the original C13 murals and their C19 update.
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Sophie Bacchus-Waterman @sophiebwaterman.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
A month (and a day!) ago, my debut book, "Elizabeth Boleyn: The Life of the Queen's Mother" was published! The positive reviews so far have been amazing. I still can't believe Elizabeth's story is out in the world. It was a joy to get to know her, and a privilege to tell her story.
Cover of my book, "Elizabeth Boleyn: The Life of the Queen's Mother"
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