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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Trailer for my new film ‘The Bayeux Tapestry - Portrait of a Battle’ which will be released on History Hit tomorrow (Thursday, Sept 17th). I will share the link to view it tomorrow, and also to a companion behind the scenes article that I will be publishing on my Substack: Loades of History.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

It seems to be in the news a lot at the moment, but how much do you know about the Bayeux Tapestry? Test your knowledge with this Bayeux Tapestry themed crossword I have just compiled. Link to access it is on my Substack via this link (it's free): loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/bayeux-tap...

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

After a brief Substack pause - I’ve been ludicrously busy with a couple of films; just one more edit to go - I return with this piece of historical conjecture, which I hope you will find as intriguing as I do. It is FREE to read on my Substack - Loades of History Chip in and have fun with it

loadesofhistory.substack.com

THE TROJAN HORSE RE-IMAGINED

Exploring the Bronze Age technologies that would be necessary to build the wooden horse of Troy, as a viable stealth troop carrier and an attractive votive offering.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

TONIGHT at 7pm UK time - worldwide premiere on You Tube – BOTH my films about dogs in history. FREE TO VIEW. youtu.be/MeMsiLfNiVM The films were released on History Hit’s video subscription channel last year, but now they are available to all. #dogs #history #tudors #georgians

youtu.be

The History Of Dogs | Tudor Dogs, French Revolution, American Revolution | Full Series

YouTube video by History Hit

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Why would a 15th-century knight have loved a Jaguar E-Type? Because they speak the same visual language. In today’s essay on Substack, I recall childhood memories that link to 20th century industrial design to the art of 15th century armour making. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/spitfires-...

loadesofhistory.substack.com

SPITFIRES, JAGUARS, AND KNIGHTLY ARMOUR

Connections, memories, and the legacy of the armourer's art.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Todays post on my Substack - LOADES OF HISTORY - gives detailed instructions, drawn from primary sources, on how to construct a traditional archery butt, and other insights into Tudor archery loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/tudor-arch... #archery #historicalarchery #tudorarchery #tudors #mikeloades

loadesofhistory.substack.com

TUDOR ARCHERY - FROM THE RECORDS

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUTT IN SHAPE AND OTHER TOP TIPS

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

My latest piece on SUBSTACK is a gripping true story from WWII about a heroic feat of endurance by a German officer and a Danish hunter in Greenland: loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/duel-on-th... It is a compelling tale of adventure and humanity #wwii #dogs #greenland #loadesofhistory

loadesofhistory.substack.com

DUEL ON THE ICE

THE DARING EXPLOITS OF GREENLAND'S SLEDGE PATROL in WWII

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

My latest offering on SUBSTACK is about THE DOGS OF THE TITANIC. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/dogs-of-th... The fascinating stories of the dogs are also part of the story. They offer additional insights into events as well as into their role in society. #titanic #dogs

loadesofhistory.substack.com

DOGS OF THE TITANIC

Mysteries, Myths, Miracles, and the Tragedy of those lost at sea.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

I’ve just published another Christmas Crossword on my SUBSTACK. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/christmas-... This one has a GENERAL HiSTORY theme, so everyone should be able to have a crack at it. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to you all. #loadesofhistory #history #crossword

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

I know - there are too many special offers around at this time of the year BUT that doesn't mean to say that this one isn't an absolutely amazing bargain. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/big-news NOTE: Substack ‘special offers’ work via a web browser or e-mail newsletter, not their App. #history

loadesofhistory.substack.com

BIG NEWS !

AND WELCOME TO THE LEGION OF NEW FOLK JOINING THIS COMMUNITY

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

My Substack community is growing nicely but some have asked for a few quick-read posts on the menu. So here's a rollicking 2.5 minute read for today. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/the-heist-... If you haven't tried Substack yet, come on over - It's free. #hevercastle #henryVIII #unsolvedmystery

loadesofhistory.substack.com

THE HEIST AT HEVER, HENRY VIII's DAGGER and AN ABSOLUTE BOUNDER

True life tale of a high-society jewel thief. Is this a dagger I see before me? Why hasn't there been a film about this?

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Today I have written on my SUBSTACK - Loades of History - about the story of Jack, the Airedale Terrier. He saved his battalion in WWI. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/jack-the-d... You can read it for free - just click on the link. It’d a 7 min read. #remembrancesunday #doghistory #ww1 #airedale

loadesofhistory.substack.com

JACK - THE DOG WHO SAVED A BATTALION

This is the story of Jack. It is also the story or Major and Mrs Richardson and the British War Dog School.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they were able eventually to bring the European bison back to this little corner of England www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate

Wildlife trusts attempt to raise £30m to keep Northumberland's Rothbury Estate from being split up.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

So refreshing to see good sense prevailing in a gentle way in a world of chaos and stupidity . Small things matter. www.bbc.com/news/videos/...

bbc.com

Tooting Common: Heavy horses prepare ground for flowers

Heavy horses are helping rewild Tooting Common by preparing soil for 33 native wildflower species.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

What type of bows are depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry? See my latest article on Substack. There’s more to this story than you might think. This is No 3 in my series about the Tapestry and 1 (of 2) about the archery. loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/unpicking-... #bayeuxtapestry #battleofhastings

loadesofhistory.substack.com

UNPICKING THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY: # 3

Decoding the archery. One in the eye for Harold - perhaps - but if so, what type of bow shot it and who exactly were the archers in Duke William's army?

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

I've just published a new essay (8 min read) on my SUBSTACK loadesofhistory.substack.com/.../the-mart.... It was prompted by some thoughts I had about medieval warhorses when visiting the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Lisbon last week. If you don’t yet use it, do try Substack. It is free.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Attention dog lovers interested in history and history lovers interested in dogs….I have a tale of dogs on my new Substack that I think is worth barking about. I think it will also interest aficionados of Ancient Egypt. My Substack column is FREE! open.substack.com/pub/loadesof... #dogs #history

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

I've started a SUBSTACK - I hope you'll join me there. My first article incorporates my passion for the natural world and responsible rewilding with my love of medieval history. It is FREE to subscribe. Do please take a look. open.substack.com/pub/loadesof... #wolves #rewilding #medievalhistory

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

It is a national disgrace that a creature as magnificent as the Golden Eagle, a species native to Britain, has been extinct in England for 150 years. I fully support these efforts for re-introduction. Let eagles fly where they belong. www.theguardian.com/environment/....

theguardian.com

Golden eagles poised for reintroduction in England

Exclusive: Study expected to confirm there are enough suitable sites to support bird of prey’s return

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

I strongly support this initiative to re-wild white storks in London. I live in the Algarve where, where these extraordinary , wonderful birds inhabit the towns in abundance. They are a constant source of joy. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Rewilding charity seeks views on reintroducing storks to London - BBC News

Storks disappeared from the skies above London centuries ago due to hunting and habitat loss.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Happy to see continued success for the lynx in Iberian Peninsular but sad to see declining wolf numbers. The use of good flock guardian dogs should mitigate predatory attacks on domestic livestock whilst preserving the overall ecosystem balancing effects. www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-06...

theportugalnews.com

Lynx set to surpass wolf in numbers in Portugal

Recent studies indicate a historic shift in the populations of two iconic Iberian species. For the first time in decades, the number of Iberian lynxes in Portugal may soon exceed that of Iberian wolve...

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

More dogs - Tune into this podcast with myself and the wonderful Professor Suzannah Lipscomb chatting about ‘Tudors and Their Dogs’. Podcast is called ‘Not Just The Tudors” and is available (free) on Acast, Spotify, Apple etc shows.acast.com/not-just-the... #dogs #tudors #sixteenthcenturygirl

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Those nice people at NOVA PBS have just released a snippet of me talking about The Turtle on You Tube. The segment was for the Lion television film 'Revolutionary War Weapons' which aired in the US earlier this week. I found it an extremely interesting assignment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Dr...

youtube.com

The World’s First Combat Submarine | NOVA | PBS

YouTube video by NOVA PBS Official

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Part 2 of my series on dogs is now streaming on History Hit. It tracks some of the intersections of canine and human history between 1760 and 1850. Access History Hit on TV, laptop or phone via their App and FREE TRIAL subscription www.historyhit.com/subscription/ #dogsofbluesky #historyhit

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

The 1st of my films about dogs in history ‘DOGS OF THE TUDORS’ has been a great success on History Hit. The 2nd in the series - “DOGS IN THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS’ - will be released on Thursday. Meanwhile - do take a look at my other films available on this streaming channel? #dogs #history

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I understand that some livestock farmers may have some concerns about these proposals but the answer is Livestock Guardian Dogs, who have a tremendous track record of reducing % of stock lost to predators in many places throughout the world. The benefits are huge www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

Reintroducing wolves to Highlands could help native woodlands, says study

Researchers say the animals could keep red deer numbers under control, leading to storage of 1m tonnes of CO2

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

I was very taken with these Phalènes during last years filming of ‘DOGS OF THE TUDORS’ (now streaming now History Hit). They are a wonderful example of a Tudor style of Chamber Dog Download History Hit app for phone, computer or smart tv #dogsofbluesky #dogs #historyhit #history #tudors

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

This is heartening good news. Something very positive is beginning to happen quietly across the world. The power of natural systems to restore natural systems is self-evident. www.goodnewsnetwork.org/tribal-bison...

goodnewsnetwork.org

Bison Ranchers Return Thousands of Animals to Native Lands and Witness Total Rejuvenation of Ecosystem

The return of the bison means the return of the prairie, one of the three great grassland ecosystems on the planet.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

My new film ‘DOGS OF THE TUDORS’ is now streaming on History Hit. You can view on your phone, computer or smart tv - just download the App and sign up for the FREE TRIAL subscription. www.historyhit.com/subscription/ #dogs #dogsofbluesky #history #tudors #hevercastle #maryrose #historyhit

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Dam! This is good news. These eco-warriors lnow exactly what to do to create healthy waterways. youtube.com/shorts/Yz-K4...

youtube.com

Beavers return to Shropshire after 400 years | BBC Birmingham

YouTube video by BBC

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

So grateful to all the people who take the trouble to go to the comments section of my History Hit films and leave a positive review. The response has been especially good for my most recent film ‘DOGS OF THE TUDORS’ Thanks everyone. It means a lot to hear directly from viewers.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Just a reminder, if you’re wondering what to watch on tv this weekend, that the first of my dog films is now available on History Hit. Download the History Hit App and watch on your tv. They have FREE TRIAL offers and it is a great streaming channel for anyone with an interest in history.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Tomorrow, Februay 6 sees the release, on History Hit, of the first of a couple of films I have made about the history of dogs. The first to be released is about the 'Dogs of the Tudors'. This will be followed in a couple of weeks by 'Dogs in the Age of Revolutions (1760 - 1850)'.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

I’m all in favour of re-introducing Lynx to live wild in parts of Scotland. Rewilding Lynx in Iberia has been a success but I condemn rogue action such as the recent release of captive Lynx in Scotland. They cannot survive and it is therefore cruel. Rewilding needs to be done only by experts.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

It is beyond extraordinary that herds of Przewalski's horses are flourishing in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Nature is clawing its way back in this devastated nuclear wasteland. The similarity of these horses to those painted on the walls of the caves in Lascaux c. 18,000 years ago is remarkable.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Delighted UNESCO has classified Portuguese Equestrian Art as an Intangible Cultural Heritage - "based on respect for the horse so that perfect harmony can be established with the riders”. UNESCO does the world great service by acknowledging the importance of such things; they too are treasures.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

So much to decode – high stepping horses ( passage ?), lady sitting sideways (though not yet with a pommelled side-saddle), smirking horses delivering lustful subtext to the restrained human courtship, nice image of a medieval lapdog ( toy spaniel?) being carried on horseback. A world of colour.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Goodness! My public facbook page just passed 21k followers.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Here’s another screenshot from my film ‘Dogs of the Tudors’ filmed at the lovely Hever Castle. This film and its companion ‘Dogs in the Age of Revolutions’ are due for release on History Hit early next year. #dogs #tudors #mikeloades #doghistory

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Another hurdle cleared. Just finished my edit fixes for my ‘Dogs of the Tudors’ film for History Hit. Here’s a screenshot of some bloodhounds jumping.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

There’s not enough armour on Bluesky yet, so here’s something beautiful for the weekend. The fine Gothic armour of the Archduke Sigismund, he of the enviable waist. We all need a little armour one way or another. The key thing is that it fits, so you can do everything you need – run, ride, resist.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Back to the edit today on Dogs of the Tudors. Relieved that my exec prod only has a few fixes and grateful that, because I do the rough edit myself, I am give the agency to shape these little changes myself. It is rare for the presenter/director to have this much authorship. Thanks History Hit.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Here’s a recreation of Richard 3’s voice. I applaud the methodology – analysing dentistry etc; using his own words from a speech he gave when his son was created Pr. of Wales (Sept 1483). However it doesn’t quite ring true – I know he was supposed to be ‘nice’ but… www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Voice of Richard III recreated with Yorkshire accent

A digital avatar of the medieval king is on display at York Theatre Royal.

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I have sympathy for UK farmers protesting the recent inheritance tax measures. Food security is crucial in a precarious world. I hope UK Gov reconsiders. HOWEVER there is a far greater threat to traditional farming coming down the pipe…Thread 1/8

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Mike Loades @loadesofhistory.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I have been provocative this morning in a piece about the range of medieval longbows, on my official fb page. Evidence from a 16th C book supports my view that ‘arcing arrowstorms’ were of limited value and most archery warfare was at relatively close range. www.facebook.com/mikeloades/ #longbow

facebook.com

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