iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 21/09/2026

The Society is pleased to launch a new programme to support research bit.ly/4iFNuF0 The RHS / Social History Archive Partnership offers free access to resources in @socialhistarchive.bsky.social, published by DC Thomson. Applications for 6-month access to Archive content invited #Skystorians 1/2

bit.ly

Society launches new programme for researchers, in partnership with The Social History Archive - RHS

The Society is pleased to launch a new programme for researchers, in partnership with The Social History Archive, published by DC Thomson. The Social History Archive is a comprehensive online archive ...

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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 18/09/2026

I love this slide. I really don't think the geopolitical implications of the clean energy transition have sunk in for most people.

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Richard III Society @richardiiisociety.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our latest Ricardian Podcast is live! Matthew Lewis & Nathen Amin discuss the historical standing of Richard III today. Is he still regarded as a villain by historians, how has opinion changed in the past 50-100 years and what is the new consensus? Listen along wherever you get your podcasts.

Photo of Matt Lewis looking straight at the camera with a brick wall behind him.

Photo Of Nathen Amin looking off to the side.

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Shannon McSheffrey @medievalmcsheff.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Joel Rosenthal was a great scholar and, more importantly, a generous and kind person. He lived a fabulous life. Requiescat in pace; may his memory be a blessing.

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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

About 1,000 years ago, this ‘Tables’ game board was smashed up with an axe and thrown into a rubbish pit at Gloucester Castle! 🪓 😳 Ancient evidence perhaps of a sore loser!? 😂 Ironically it is the world’s oldest surviving complete tables set! Gloucester Museum 📷 by me #Archaeology

My photo shows the circa 1,000 year-old Gloucester 'Tables' game set. The set consists of 24 obelisk-shaped bone strips with pointed ends, and a bone panel border, which were originally inlaid onto a wooden base which has not survived, together with thirty disc-shaped bone counters (not all shown in my photo). The bone inlays are decorated with carved interlace and ring-and-dot patterns. Each game counter is intricately carved and decorated with a human or animal figure. The tables set is displayed on a sandy surface in a museum display case at Gloucester Museum. Tables is an early version of backgammon. It is the oldest complete tables set in the world

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Just over a week left to submit your proposal for a paper on the long fifteenth century in the Yorkist History Trust's sessions at Leeds IMC in 2027.

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Mateusz Fafinski @calthalas.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

How dare you forbid vehicles in cities! We cannot have towns where the only vehicles will be for deliveries and services! This is an insane left-wing idea, a novelty against any tradition and it will kill the inner cities. Lex Iulia Municipalis from 45 BCE:

14) After January 1 next no one shall drive a wagon along the streets of Rome or along those streets in the suburbs where there is continuous housing after sunrise or before the tenth hour of the day, except whatever will be proper for the transportation and the importation of material for building temples of the immortal gods, or for public works, or for removing from the city rubbish from those buildings for whose demolition public contracts have been let. For these purposes permission shall be granted by this law to specified persons to drive wagons for the reasons stated.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

For #LeedsIMC2027 @yorkisthistory.bsky.social are once again planning sessions on the long Fifteenth Century (1399-1525) - would you like to join us? Up to 5 bursaries of £300 each are available for scholars without institutional funding. Deadline for submissions 14 Sept: see image for more details.

Call for papers asking for proposals for 20 minute papers on new research on the period 1399-1525 for Leeds IMC 5-8 July 2027. Bursaries available as stated in main text. Please note the IMC's proposal criteria on their website. Please send a 150-200 word abstract and short biography to Dr Joanna Laynesmith at j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk by 14 September 2026 stating whether uoi wish to apply for a bursary or just to propose a paper. More details about the Trust's work can be found at yorkisthistorytrust.org.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

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Margot Hodson @margothodson.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

It's a good thing to ban disposable bbqs but fairly pointless if you start to open new oil fields and continue to build petrol cars. It's like throwing one bucket of water at a raging house fire while pointing a hose of petrol at it. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

Burnham criticised for EV and North Sea approach amid climate crisis

Cut in electric vehicle sales targets could add millions of tonnes of CO2 to emissions in UK, say green campaigners

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Rosemary Griggs @ragriggsauthor.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

The York window, St. Mary and All Saints, Fotheringay, with heraldry of the first four Dukes of York, their wives, and Richard III and his wife, Anne Neville. Dedicated in 1975, a gift from the Richard III Society. #StainedGlassSunday

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Sian Berry MP @sianberry.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Yet again, the Government is failing to treat the climate emergency with any sense of urgency at all. Climate-wrecking airport growth mainly helps people spend money abroad, when we could invest in green transport, connecting people to brilliant domestic destinations like, er, Brighton instead.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Very much looking forward to this symposium in October - topics include Robert Fabyan, a royal genealogy, diplomatic dispatches, wills, an abbess of Syon, the Duchy of Lancaster and, with my favourite title of 'Brewing for Eternity', alehouses & chantries.

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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Join the YHT on 17 October 2026 for a one-day symposium showcasing some of the exciting new research we're sponsoring! Held in-person at the @warburginstitute.bsky.social, tickets are only £10. See here for more information: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/07/23/s... #MedievalSky #medieval #Skystorians

yorkisthistorytrust.org

Stories from beyond the Page

The Trust On…Stories from beyond the Page: New Research from Fifteenth-Century Archives in England and Europe Pierre Coustain (attr.), posthumous panel painting of the coat of arms of King …

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Sylvia @sylvia-suffragette.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Burnham “I can’t make changes that are not in the manifesto” Labour 2024 manifesto ‘We will not issue new licenses… because they will not take a penny off bills, cannot make us energy secure and will only accelerate the worsening climate crisis’

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Richard III Society @richardiiisociety.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Volume XXXVI of The Ricardian is now available to read online in the members’ area of the Society's website. This scholarly journal is published yearly by the Richard III Society.

CONTENTS

St Hilda Reimagined    David Ellison

Collaboration Then and Now: The Digitization, Translation, and Annotation of Free Library of Philadelphia MS Lewis E 201. Emma Dyson and Eleanor Webb

An Interpretation of George Cely’s Letter to Sir John Weston in the Summer of 1482. Sandra Pendlington

‘Whene the Liddisdale men came into England and were sworne to King Richarde’. Marie Barnfield

Richard III’s Proposed Chapel at Towton Revisited   Paul L. Dawson and David Grummitt

The Life and Afterlife of the Stanley Family of Elford Edward Sanders

‘My cosyn Margarett Keymes’: Katherine Gordon’s Kinship Links to Margaret Kyme Sophie Bacchus-Waterman

To Prove Disabled? The Connection between the 2012 Discovery of Richard III and the Future of Disability History and Ricardian Studies.   Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart

RESEARCH NOTES

The ‘Deprivation’ of Elizabeth Woodville and the Herald’s Memoir    Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Sir Edward Brampton’s Baptism J. L. Laynesmith

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Sophie Bacchus-Waterman @sophiebwaterman.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I was so excited to come home to a copy of "The Ricardian", Volume 36.

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Rachel Moss @menysnoweballes.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Received my copy of the Ricardian today @richardiiisociety.bsky.social - some great articles in there, and also a review of John Watts’ new book by yours truly. spoiler: I enjoyed it a lot!

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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

And the remainder of today’s fascinating panels - thank you to all of our speakers and chairs for a stimulating day of #medieval debate and discussion!

A photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.

Another photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.

And one more photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Fascinating talks - friars persuaded by prophecies that Richard II would survive (and Henry IV's shocking willingness to execute them), at last a persuasive account of Margaret of Anjou's role at the Loveday, and fascinating analysis of the membership of the Skinners' Fraternity of the Assumption.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

9 am Tuesday at #IMC2026 - starting off @yorkisthistory.bsky.social's day on the 15th century. Come and join us.

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Centre for Research in Autism and Education @craeioe.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

CRAE's Brian Irvine has had his research for the Church of England mentioned on the front page of The Times today! The article highlights his independent work to advocate for support for neurodivergent clergy members. Read the full Times article here: bit.ly/4eBDREL 1/2

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Also at #IMC2026 next week - a whole day of fascinating 15th-century papers to look forward to with @yorkisthistory.bsky.social.

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nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Only a few days left to register for our Teaching Medieval Women CPD day - come and learn about strategies to incorporate more women into your teaching of history at school - and put your CAR questions to exam board reps! All welcome...

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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The Yorkist History Trust is returning to @imc-leeds.bsky.social! We're running four sessions featuring new research on the 15th century, as well as having a bookstall in the Parkinson Court. See here for more info: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/05/28/l... #Medieval #MedievalSky #Skystorians

yorkisthistorytrust.org

Leeds IMC 2026

The Trust On…Leeds IMC 2026 The Yorkist History Trust is delighted to be returning to the Leeds International Medieval Congress, Monday 6th – Thursday 9th July 2026. We will be hosting …

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Richard III Society of Canada @richardiiisocca.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Happy #WorldBeeDay! Image: Museum Meermanno, MMW, 10 B 25, folio 37r

Man running from bees who are coming out of a man-made hive.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Britain’s voting system is broken. 70 MPs are backing an amendment to finally review it. But to make an impact, we need many more. I’ve urged my MP to support it with this tool. Can you contact yours too? actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...

actionnetwork.org

Ask your MP to back the amendment to fix our broken voting system.

Last month’s elections have shown just how broken our voting system is. 70 MPs have just supported an amendment demanding a total review of this system, and a change to proportional representation. B...

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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 17/05/2026

Let it be clear: you are wanted here.

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Jo Grady @drjogrady.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Yesterday Kier Starmer announced Labour will nationalise British Steel, and save 2700 jobs. Today, the Uni of Nottingham put 2700 staff at risk of redundancy. This is just one university. Across the UK 15,000 higher education jobs need saving. Where is the rescue package for our universities?

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Dr Elizabeth Norton @enortonhistory.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Jane Seymour’s seal as queen. This is possibly the only surviving example #janeseymour #queenjane #henryviii #tudor #tudors

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Zero Hour: the campaign for climate and nature @zero-hour.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

⚡ CAMPAIGN LAUNCH ⚡ 🌍 Climate change and nature’s breakdown are directly threatening the UK’s national security. We have a plan. Join us to find out how to Secure Your Future and be part of the solution! 🗓️ Thursday 14 May ⏰ 19:00–20:30 📍 Online | Free 🎟️ 👉 tinyurl.com/SecureYourFutureZeroHour

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Can anyone tell me the source of this quotation, attributed to Hildegard of Bingen? "If we fall in love with creation deeper and deeper, we will respond to its endangerment with passion"

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Sarah May @sarahmay1.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

The tactical voting site from Forward Democracy states that the best tactic to stop Reform in the Senedd is to increase voter turnout. Vote and encourage others to do so. stopreformuk.vote/senedd/caerd...

Screenshot from linked site. Text reads:
으이 stopreformuk.vote/sene

StopReformUK

A tactical voting tool by Forward Democracy

MEMBER OF SENEDD ELECTION

CAERDYDD FFYNNON TAF 7 MAY 2026

Senedd elections use a form of Proportional Representation called the Closed Party List instead of First Past the Post. This means there is no way of voting tactically and so our advice on how to best Stop Reform is a little different. The best strategy we have here is to get as many people to vote as possible to outnumber Reform, no matter who they vote for.

CAERDYDD FFYNNON TAF

OUR ADVICE IS TO VOTE

GREEN PARTY LABOUR

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT OR

PLAID CYMRU

It is unlikely that any progressive party other than the largest 4 of Green Party, Labour, Liberal Democrat or Plaid Cymru will get enough votes to win a seat here.

More Info

@FWDDEM

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Just back from the brilliant 'Medieval Canterbury Weekend 2026'. I was talking about the 11th century but was so heartened by all the really exciting new research on the 15th century that was being shared.

15th century wall painting from Canterbury Cathedral showing St Eustace (with horse and hunting dogs) experiencing a vision of Christ crucified appearing between the antlers of a stag.

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Zero Hour: the campaign for climate and nature @zero-hour.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

🌍 Protecting people should be the first duty of any Government. At present, the UK is deeply unprepared for the increasing threat of floods, droughts, wildfires and food shortages. The cross-party CNCC will continue to urge the Government to deliver, before it's too late. 👉 thecncc.org

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

It's the last day of women's history month, so I am sharing my other recent Margaret Beaufort podcast, this time with @historylauren.bsky.social for Historic Royal Palaces.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Apparently there were half a million of us here - for love, for hope, for unity.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I wouldn't want to try to rank all the medieval women outrageously maligned by later generations, but I'm afraid Lady Margaret Beaufort, would rank pretty high. So it was wonderful to have the chance to explore her impressive story with Katherine Lewis and @davidgrummitt.bsky.social for In Our Time.

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Zero Hour: the campaign for climate and nature @zero-hour.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

💧 A new water law is coming. Ministers know this law is a once-in-a-generation chance to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas but Government proposals don’t match the scale of the water crisis—yet. We need a Water Reform Bill to: 👉 Stop the pollution 👉 Fix the water system 👉 And restore nature

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International Medieval Congress Leeds @imc-leeds.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

@yorkisthistory.bsky.social will have a stall in the Parkinson Court for #IMC2026 🎊 It's great to have them this July, and we cannot wait to see what Yorkist history themed works will be on display for us to see 👍 yorkisthistorytrust.org #MedievalSky #SkyStorians

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

This is fascinating. And if anyone's interested in another challenge to the traditional battle narrative - I'll be talking about the fate of Harold's body at the Canterbury Medieval Weekend in May: history-weekends.org/programme/ki...

theguardian.com

‘A fascinating discovery’: research challenges Battle of Hastings narrative

Harold may have sailed, not marched, in 1066, reshaping explanations for his defeat in England’s historic battle

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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

What better opportunity than #WorldBookDay to announce the publication of our latest volume!? 🎉📖 Claire Martin's 'The Post-Mortem Accounts of Sir Thomas Charlton, d. 1465', is an important edition of a fascinating collection of #medieval documents. More info: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/03/05/n...

yorkisthistorytrust.org

New publication: The Post-Mortem Accounts and Inventories of Sir Thomas Charlton (d.1465), ed. Claire Martin

The Trust On…New publication: The Post-Mortem Accounts and Inventories of Sir Thomas Charlton (d.1465), ed. Claire Martin The Yorkist History Trust is delighted to announce the publication of…

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Richard III Society @richardiiisociety.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Our online schools conference is today! The speakers are ready and the schools will be in place by start time at 9:00.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

It was lovely to chat all things Lady Margaret Beaufort with @historylauren.bsky.social and @charlesxhistory.bsky.social for Historic Royal Palaces' latest podcast - www.hrp.org.uk/listen-to-th... - out today.

Gilt bronze effigy of Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby, recumbent with hands raised in prayer, in Westminster Abbey.

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