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Mathew Lyons

@mathewlyons.bsky.social
2.3K followers 595 following 3.4K posts

Writer, historian. FRHistS. Recent work: History Today, The Spectator, Slightly Foxed, New Humanist, Engelsberg Ideas.

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 2h
A wonderful book!
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 3h
Some dear friends gave this to me a couple of years ago and we’ve used it every holiday since. Highly recommended. An absolute joy if you like bodding about France eating and drinking, as we do. Thank you @carolynboyd.bsky.social!
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
So much to enjoy in David's answers – Betty MacDonald, Philip Roth, Otfried Preussler – but I particularly liked what he says about Pauline Kael and the art of criticism.
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Dr Francis Young @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I reviewed @profdarryljones.bsky.social's new biography of M. R. James. Long-awaited by fans, and surely the most important book about MRJ yet to appear this century: drfrancisyoung.com/2026/09/28/r... 📚👻📜
drfrancisyoung.com
Review: ‘For the Dead Remember: The Life of M. R. James’ by Darryl Jones
Darryl Jones, For the Dead Remember: The Life of M. R. James (Oxford University Press, 2026), 437pp. M. R. James did not make it easy for anyone to write his biography. He introduced this difficult…
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We watched Mélodie en sous-sol again the other night. Early 60s French heist movie. Alain Delon. Jean Gabin. Just wonderful. Check out the perfectly period title sequence youtu.be/1pPLNaLyc58?...
youtu.be
Mélodie en sous-sol (1962) - Générique de début HD
YouTube video by Digital Ciné
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Such a pleasure to welcome David to the Writer’s Bookshelf!
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Rob Chapman @scribblerrob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I still think the film of AB is the absolute pits but I like what Andy posits here, particularly from points 4/5 onwards about 80s London still just about being recognisably old 50s London. Docklands was being transformed but elsewhere, much of Soho and W11 for instance was still MacInnesLand.
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Lisa Fagin Davis @lisafdavis.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's not necessary to use generative AI to create images of the #Voynich Manuscript, so why do people continue to do it? There is so much wrong in this online image. Neither of the pages shown here is actually from the manuscript. The verso is labeled "r" ("recto") & the language is not Voynichese.
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This morning’s guest on the Writer’s Bookshelf is the incomparable @eggsbened.bsky.social.
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: David Benedict
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Well, this is depressing for a Monday morning.
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Rebecca Rideal @rebeccarideal.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Have you seen the latest Lizzie Borden drama series? If you want to go beyond the sensationalism, have a listen to the latest episode of BURIED EVIDENCE. @rakshadigs.bsky.social and I explore the real history of the Borden Murders pod.fo/e/65302e
pod.fo
Buried Evidence: Lizzie Borden Took An Axe…
As the legend of Lizzie Borden comes to Netflix, we visit one of the most notorious murder mysteries in American history. A brutal double murder that inspired one of the darkest nursery rhymes of a...
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Some weekend reading. First, this week's edition of the Writer's Bookshelf with the brilliant @rebeccarideal.bsky.social
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: Rebecca Rideal
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Some weekend reading. First, this week's edition of the Writer's Bookshelf with the brilliant @rebeccarideal.bsky.social
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: Rebecca Rideal
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hello, here is your occasional reminder that a whole load of my essays, reviews, short stories and other things can be found HERE, on my web-site, thank you for your attention to this matter. richarddsmyth.com
richarddsmyth.com
Richard Smyth
Writer for hire. Reviews, essays, features.
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harrysword.bsky.social @harrysword.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
On cult London crime master Derek Raymond, and the madness and genius of his ‘black novels’ Enter the Factory… harrysword.substack.com/p/enter-the-...
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Ian Tattum @iantattum.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A short embryo poem inspired by a piece by @mathewlyons.bsky.social
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
On holiday in French Burgundy so of course we’re watching…
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Some lunchtime reading!
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Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hudson Versus The Volcano. I wrote about WH Hudson's Birds In London for the latest @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social Quarterly.
Opening page of my essay on WH Hudson's Birds Of London, headed Song Of The City. Monochrome drawing of WH Hudson among the gulls of St James's Park. Front cover of Slightly Foxed, No. 19, Autumn 2026, featuring a painting of a fox hiding from some hounds in the middle of a hedge maze.
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
How Anglo-Saxon is the Bayeux Tapestry? Was it made, as is often suggested, by nuns around Canterbury in the decade after the Conquest? And if so what might the Tapestry, and especially its rarely seen reverse, tell us about their experiences? mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-bayeux...
mathewlyons.substack.com
The Bayeux Tapestry and its backstories
Can the Tapestry’s narrative ambivalence tell us about the women who made it?
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Today’s guest on the Writer’s Bookshelf is the brilliant @rebeccarideal.bsky.social, featuring Sweet Valley Twins, JRR Tolkien, William Congreve, Chinua Achebe and more!
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: Rebecca Rideal
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Hallie Rubenhold @hallierubenhold.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
By all means, do read books in addition to The Five. You’ll find the people who I ‘claim don’t exist’ cited in my bibliography and end notes. For 7 years some people have claimed that I and The Five have dishonoured the victims. Please. Enough of this nonsense.
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
What a thread!
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Prof. Liz Oakley-Brown @earlymodlancs.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I'm trying to stay away from here to write ... BUT I had to share this sumptuous (and free) online catalogue for 'Elizabeth I: Queen & Court 14th (May - 10th July 2026)' Essays by @cjfaraday.bsky.social and Elizabeth Goldring [click on the landing-page link] philipmould.com/exhibitions/...
philipmould.com
Elizabeth I | Queen & Court | An exhibition exploring how portraiture shaped one of Britain’s most iconic reigns
Upcoming and past exhibition at Philip Mould & Co.
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
How Anglo-Saxon is the Bayeux Tapestry? Was it made, as is often suggested, by nuns around Canterbury in the decade after the Conquest? And if so what might the Tapestry, and especially its rarely seen reverse, tell us about their experiences? mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-bayeux...
mathewlyons.substack.com
The Bayeux Tapestry and its backstories
Can the Tapestry’s narrative ambivalence tell us about the women who made it?
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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
What I want is a TV documentary channel entirely devoted to documentaries with no quick-cut montages of everything about to happen, which don't give a fuck about keeping my attention, presented by extremely knowledgeable people in a terrible mood who have no interest in trying to make me like them
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Jeremy Benson @jembenson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This is a fascinating perspective on the #BayeuxTapestry.
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Some weekend reading from me #1: the latest edition of the Writer’s Bookshelf featuring the wonderful Rachel Morley.
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: Rachel Morley
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Jack El-Hai @jackelhai.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"I have found myself irked." Today's #history article pick from Damn History, my free newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to writer @mathewlyons.bsky.social! Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-bayeux...
mathewlyons.substack.com
The Bayeux Tapestry and its backstories
Can the Tapestry’s narrative ambivalence tell us about the women who made it?
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Behind the scenes at the Bayeux Tapestry
mathewlyons.substack.com
The Bayeux Tapestry and its backstories
Can the Tapestry’s narrative ambivalence tell us about the women who made it?
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Behind the scenes at the Bayeux Tapestry
mathewlyons.substack.com
The Bayeux Tapestry and its backstories
Can the Tapestry’s narrative ambivalence tell us about the women who made it?
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Ever wondered what the reverse of the Bayeux Tapestry looks like? I have some evening reading for you!
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Ever wondered what the reverse of the Bayeux Tapestry looks like? I have some evening reading for you!
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Dr Lindsey Fitzharris @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Ask and you shall receive... I've officially rebooted my old YouTube series: UNDER THE KNIFE! In today's episode, I discuss the barber's bleeding bowl in my collection from c.1780. As ever, please help a gal out by liking, sharing, and subscribing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Com...
youtube.com
Under the Knife Returns!
YouTube video by Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris
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David Hewson @davidhewson.com · 17/09/2026
And joining Suzy - @catherinefletcher.info
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Some lunchtime reading from me: searching for the women who made the Bayeux Tapestry. mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-bayeux...
mathewlyons.substack.com
The Bayeux Tapestry and its backstories
Can the Tapestry’s narrative ambivalence tell us about the women who made it?
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
This was great fun to research and write. I first came across Hatry reading Louis MacNeice's Autumn Journal.
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Nicolas Hénin @nicolashenin.net · 17/09/2026
Nice campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council about the declining lifespan of products. Enjoy!
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Dr Francis Young @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It’s incredible to have ‘Silence of the Gods’ shortlisted for @wolfsonhistory.bsky.social, and I’m so pleased that the largely forgotten history of northern and eastern Europe’s last pre-Christian religious traditions is finally receiving the attention it deserves 📚
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Marc Morris @marcmorris.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Next month I'll be speaking about the Norman Conquest at the Mortimer History Society autumn conference. mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk/events/event...
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Some lunchtime reading!
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I’m delighted to welcome the wonderful Rachel Morley to the Writer’s Bookshelf this morning. Rachel is the Director of the @friendlesschurches.bsky.social and is the author of Church Crawling, published by Vintage last week. mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-writer...
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: Rachel Morley
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I’m delighted to welcome the brilliant Amy Jeffs to the Writer’s Bookshelf this morning. mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-writer...
mathewlyons.substack.com
The writer’s bookshelf: Amy Jeffs
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Such magical books!
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Emily Brand @emilybrand.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Hello, clever music historians Can I legitimately call this a guitar, or is there a more proper name for this 18th-century instrument? Portrait is French, d. 1785 (I know nothing about guitars)
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Tom Freeman @tomfreeman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I appreciate that "this is good" is a bit of a vapid comment, but yeah, this is good
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A pleasure and a privilege to write about Nicholas Higham's How England Began, published by @yalebooks.bsky.social, for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social. engelsbergideas.com/reviews/the-...
engelsbergideas.com
The end of Romanitas and the coming of the English
In the centuries after the retreat of the Roman Empire in the West, the Britons who had thought themselves the inheritors of Rome were overcome by Germanic incomers, a story of migration and insularit...
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Agnieszka @agniesz.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
#SundaySentence But more and more I think that madness is the world’s natural condition and to expect anything else is madness compounded. Russell Hoban Turtle diary
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Martin Fitzgerald @4hundredblows.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I’m in Manchester this Thursday, talking about The Umbrella Man and Other Stories. Last few tickets available below www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
theportico.org.uk
Umbrella Man and Other Stories: Book Talk with Martin Fitzgerald — The Portico Library
A talk followed by a Q & A - based around my new book - The Umbrella Man and Other Stories: What We Talk About When We Talk About the JFK Assassination
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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A pleasure and a privilege to write about Nicholas Higham's How England Began, published by @yalebooks.bsky.social, for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social. engelsbergideas.com/reviews/the-...
engelsbergideas.com
The end of Romanitas and the coming of the English
In the centuries after the retreat of the Roman Empire in the West, the Britons who had thought themselves the inheritors of Rome were overcome by Germanic incomers, a story of migration and insularit...
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