This post is just about a lovely set of coincidences that made me think about community and kindness - it’s not terribly complicated.

This week, I started reading Erin Maglaque’s fascinating book Presence: A Hidden History of the Female Body, which I encountered through a powerful extract published in the Guardian.

There is a paywell on the very last section of this post, because I get into spoilers for what I am working on at the moment.

Taking Stock of Big Changes and Small Transitions

A couple of days ago, the Guardian reported on an article by Karen Davies, Hassan Ugail, and David G.

This Easter, my daughter and I went up to Northumbria, to near Lindisfarne.

Saturday Focus with Sally-Ann Barrett

A couple of days ago my wonderful colleagues Penny Bernard and Diane Heath organised a visit to Temple Newsam museum, just outside Leeds, where - amongst other things - we were transfixed by the fasci...

A couple of days ago my wonderful colleagues Penny Bernard and Diane Heath organised a visit to Temple Newsam museum, just outside Leeds, where - amongst other things - we were transfixed by the fasci...

A historically-contextualised book review, with angry bits.

Cynthia Harnett, H. M. Castor, and fictions of Henry VII

.... aaaand a bit on the gender pay gap.

Can we please just acknowledge that sometimes, it hurts for a reason?

Birkbeck

Professor Deborah Cameron discusses Language and Gender.

Today’s post was sparked off by a wonderful book I read, far too quickly and far too late into the night (because I couldn’t put it down): Laura Richmond’s All My Worldly Joy. It was also inspired by ...

Dr. Kim F. Hall in conversation and hands-on demo with fellow quilters Dr. Christa Gilliam, Juandamarie Gikandi, and Jacqueline Johnson.

Today’s post was sparked off by a wonderful book I read, far too quickly and far too late into the night (because I couldn’t put it down): Laura Richmond’s All My Worldly Joy. It was also inspired by ...

I have not yet watched Hamnet. I will - I might post about it - but the general excitement about it has brought me back to the novel behind the film. I found Maggie O’Farrell’s writing spellbinding, b...

I have not yet watched Hamnet. I will - I might post about it - but the general excitement about it has brought me back to the novel behind the film. I found Maggie O’Farrell’s writing spellbinding, b...

Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 Nostalgia, defined most simply as a wistful or...

A few things I've written about & photographed in 2025

Exclusive: Research suggests supplementing eggs with a key protein reduces age-related defects, raising hopes of improved IVF for older women

Thoughts on Johannes de Weck in Today's Guardian

Since the Enlightenment, we’ve been making our own decisions. But now AI may be about to change that, says Joseph de Weck, a fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute

I sat down yesterday evening thinking I would write a really good Christmas post.

On December 6th, 1639, a mother sat down to write to her son.

A medieval woman finds superhuman strength in her tears.

It is Halloween, and I am seeing a whirl of posts about witches, so here’s a quick post.

Buy Textile Shakespeare by Lees-Jeffries, Hester (ISBN: 9780198861133) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

A post for pregnancy loss awareness day

Medieval witch stories, and a literary grandmother for the Wife of Bath

Medieval witch stories, and a literary grandmother for the Wife of Bath