iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Do you like Assassin's Creed: Black Flag? Then watch me react to the new resynced edition on the @pbs.org YouTube series, "Won't You Be My Gamer!" www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVKL...

youtube.com

Playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced with a Pirate Historian

YouTube video by Won't You Be My Gamer?

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

For the first time ever, I’m my weekend at @sandiegocomic-con.bsky.social because this Sunday I’ll be participating in a panel about pirates! It’s a great lineup and should be an excellent discussion about pirates in pop culture 🏴‍☠️

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Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Wilson's translation was outselling basically everything else in the space by orders of magnitude before the film ever happened

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Joshua R Greenberg @joshrgreenberg.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

You all know Pocahontas and John Rolfe, but what about other Anglo-Powhatan marriages? Kelly Watson’s new article in Commonplace looks at the story of the Virginia Company and two women who traveled to London with Pocahontas named Elizabeth and Mary. commonplace.online/article/the-...

commonplace.online

The Other Elizabeth and Mary: Anglo-Powhatan Marriages and the Virginia Company of London - Commonplace

By employing marriage as a technology of imperialism, the Virginia Company hoped to turn its struggling overseas colonies into stable, productive English communities.

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Book 4, The Gallows and the Deep. It begins. 🏴‍☠️

Screenshot of a word doc that says
“The Gallows and the Deep: Pirates, Public Executions, and the Struggle for Order in the Early Modern Atlantic”
“Chapter 1”

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John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Might be this week's episode. Depends on how long it takes my editor to edit it. In the meantime, last episode was piracy with @piratebeckalex.bsky.social. Just search for "Untitled History Podcast" on your pod app of choice. No housefires in that one.

open.spotify.com

Episode 22: How Piracy Actually Worked

The Untitled History Podcast · Episode

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John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

This week on the Untitled History Podcast, I sit down with @piratebeckalex.bsky.social to explore the myths and reality of the golden age of piracy, including how pirate attacks actually worked. Watch below or listen via your pod app of choice! www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXtW... #history

youtube.com

How Piracy Actually Worked | Untitled History Podcast Episode: 22

Ask most people to describe a pirate and their ship, and they’ll likely conjure up an image of an eye-patch-wearing man commanding a huge ship. An image that, in most cases, could not be farther from…

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Finally getting to cozy up with this bad boy as I work on my new project.

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Lindsay M. Chervinsky @lmchervinsky.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Timeline cleanse.

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Nicholas Guyatt @nicholasguyatt.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

And of course I am the voice of doom in this NYT piece about academic historians and the 250th www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/a...

nytimes.com

America Is Anxious About Its 250th Birthday. So Are Historians.

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Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

I got into eel history by studying the Dutch eel ships on the Thames. We don't generally remember them much now, but they were there from the c.1470 - 1938. They used to be low-key famous, even appearing in Nicolas Sarony's 1929 cigarette card collection, "Ships of All Ages." 🗃️🧪

Front of the card, showing two ships in calm water with sails slack. A label in the water below them reads: "Dutch eel boat." They are somewhat orange in color, suggesting a setting sun -- another indication that they are not British. The shadow from the boats looks an unhealthy green on the water, which is perhaps appropriate for the Thames. Overall, the whole image is done in washed out citrus-y colors, which makes it warm and inviting, and also a good source of Vitamin C.

These ships and their predecessors supplied live eels to London for something like 500 years. You've never done anything for that long in your whole life. And you never will. Eel ships were there during the War of the Roses, and during Shakespeare's life, and during WWI. They are gone and forgotten now, but they were once a part of the living city.

The back of the card, with text describing the ships. The text is surrounded by a framing of ropes, with some blocks and tackles and hooks and such. It looks very nautical. The text which these lines frame reads thus:

"Ships of All Ages, a series of 50. No. 25.

Dutch Eel Boat

The Thames barge is considered to be of Dutch origin, and it sometiems meets in the estuary its relative, the Dutch eel schuyt, which, like the barge, is designated for work on both salt and fresh water. The schuyt is typically Dutch, stoutly built and comfortable looking, and is considered to be the most representative of the seagoing craft of Holland; it is also easily navigated on the crowded canals of the country.

Issued by
Nicolas Sarony & Co.
84 Picadilly
London, W.I."

FTR -- if someone describes you as stoutly built and comfortable looking, you should object. Unless you're an eel ship.

Are you an eel ship?

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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 21/04/2026

General George Washington required Continental Army soldiers be inoculated for smallpox. We would not have won independence if he hadn’t. You dumb chucklefuck.

Secretary of War Pete Hegs... • © • 39m
The War Department is once again restoring freedom to our Joint Force.
We are discarding the mandatory flu vaccine requirement, effective immediately.

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Joshua R Greenberg @joshrgreenberg.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Today we launch Read More Books, a semi-regular Commonplace series featuring @kawulf.bsky.social asking authors five questions about their new book. We kick off with @johngmarks.com and his fascinating study of the long fight over Washington's legacy of slavery.🗄️ commonplace.online/article/read...

commonplace.online

If there are two rules about early American history, one is that, no matter how vast, George Washington will always be instructive.

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Had an excellent time yesterday recording a fun pirate video for @history-hit.bsky.social. Working as a public historian is such a joy. Looking forward to being able to share it with you all!

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Pre-ordered! This looks like a fascinating must-read for those looking to pivot more into public history.

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Dr. Jamie LH Goodall @lhistorienne.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

1) who are your favorite women historians on Bluesky? Tagged them here! Omg so many!!! A few: @kelsapellettiere.com @piratebeckalex.bsky.social @phdrachel.bsky.social @hngreen.bsky.social 2) and what is on the menu at your home tonight? Wegman’s mushroom & truffle pizza #HATM

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

For #internationalwomensday, support female authors and learn about amazing historical women! The paperback/2nd edition of my book, Pirate Queens: The Lives of Anne Bonny & Mary Read, is available for pre-order and out Dec. 31! a.co/d/0bH6NfTa

a.co

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Second week into the semester and I’m already behind. No one’s fault but mine. I get a bit too enthusiastic and carried away about the material

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Routledge History Research @routledgehistory.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

The 2nd Edition of 'A New History of Asian America' by Shelley Lee has now published! An expansive, updated synthesis of the Asian American experience, it is essential reading for UG students of #Americanhistory www.routledge.com/A-New-Histor...

routledge.com

A New History of Asian America

The second edition of A New History of Asian America offers an expansive, updated synthesis of the Asian American experience, making it essential reading for those seeking a nuanced understanding of A...

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Molly Ploofkins @mollyploofkins.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Alex Pretti’s coworkers take a moment of silence this morning

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Dan Howlett @dhowlett1692.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

We have a timely AMA today with @johnmkinder.bsky.social and Jen Murray on the memory of the Civil War in a polarized America over on @askhistorians.bsky.social- Come check it out! www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...

reddit.com

From the AskHistorians community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the AskHistorians community

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Found a catalogue of some of my pirate articles today. I’ve moved a couple of times over the last few years so I thought they were lost but NOPE! I’m always happy to write for anyone about pirates and I have availability if desired! 🏴‍☠️🗃️ @historytoday.com @historyextra.bsky.social

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Philippa Hellawell @pbhellawell.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

On the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade, I am reflecting on my recent trip to Ghana, where I had the privilege to visit Cape Coast Castle, a place I had encountered countless times, but only through records at The National Archives.

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Hi Bluesky! I haven’t been active as a historian on social media in a long time, but I’ve decided it’s time to really reengage in this part of my life. I’m looking forward to reconnecting and connecting with my fellow historians and academics!

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Kathleen Alves @katalves18c.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

If you are inclined to read about funny novels in the 18th century, periods, labor and birth, hysteria etc you can pre-order the book! www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/delaware/bod...

rutgersuniversitypress.org

Body Language

Body Language examines the complex intersections of British eighteenth-century comic fiction and medical discourse. By engaging medical writings of renowned ...

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The Defoe Society @defoesociety.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

New Publication Alert Hamlin, Christopher. "Rotten Bodies: Class and Contagion in 18th-Century Britain. By Kevin Siena." The Journal of Modern History, vol. 92, no. 4, 2020, pp. 933–35. JSTOR. #danieldefoe #defoe #18thCentury #C18th #18thC

jstor.org

Review: [Untitled] on JSTOR

Christopher Hamlin, The Journal of Modern History, Vol. 92, No. 4 (DECEMBER 2020), pp. 933-935

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Christine Kooi @christinekooi.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

I've begun a starter pack of scholars of the early modern Low Countries. Let me know if you want me to add you. #earlymodern 🗃️ go.bsky.app/VsHZ9xJ

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Age of Revolutions @ageofrevolutions.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Enter for your chance to win a copy of Ronaldo Angelo Johnson's Entangled Alliances: Racialized Freedom and Atlantic Diplomacy during the American Revolution (Cornell University Press, 2025). The raffle ends this Friday (11/28) at 11:59pm EDT. ageofrevolutions.com/2025/11/24/b...

ageofrevolutions.com

BOOK RAFFLE: ENTANGLED ALLIANCES

Ronaldo Angelo Johnson, Entangled Alliances: Racialized Freedom and Atlantic Diplomacy during the American Revolution (Cornell University Press, 2025). In conjunction with Ronaldo Johnson and Corne…

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

TOMORROW! Nov. 25, 4 PM PST - come to my FREE virtual talk about pirates in colonial North Carolina and their connection to the Outlander series!

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Do you like Outlander? Do you like pirates? Then come to my virtual presentation to discuss piracy in the Outlander series and Colonial America for the Wake County Public Library on Tuesday, Nov 25 at 4/7 PM PST/EST. It will be over Zoom and registration is FREE! wakegov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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The Spirit of Lorenzo the Cat @lorenzothecat.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Destruction of the White House East Wing began today. Here it is in better times with better residents.

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Took my students to the Getty Villa to see Ancient Greek/Roman artifacts today. Who says field trips aren’t for university?

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

ICYMI, you can watch my talk about my book, The Pirates’ Code, for the @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social on YouTube! youtu.be/b06sRWooshk?...

youtu.be

The Pirates' Code - Rebecca Simon

YouTube video by York Ideas

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

TOMORROW! June 11, 6 pm BST/10 am PST, come to a free online webinar to see me speak about my book and all things Pirates’ Code at the York Festival of ideas! Get you ticket at this link. @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social yorkfestivalofideas.com/2025/calenda...

yorkfestivalofideas.com

The Pirates' Code

What was life really like aboard a pirate ship? Join historian Rebecca Simon for a rollicking account of pirates’ codes - the strict rules essential for survival at sea.

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

The #Kickstarter has gone live! Pledge your support for the first comic issue of Fang Hunters, a group of intergalactic vampire hunters! www.kickstarter.com/projects/nat...

kickstarter.com

Fang Hunters #1

A science fiction comic book series about a batch of eccentric vampire hunters who hop backwater planets and get paid by the fang

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Non-history plug: If you like comic books and want to read about a rag-tag group of intergalactic vampire hunters (think Firefly meets Cowboy Bebop meets Buffy), please support my husband’s Kickstarter campaign by following his page! officially launches May 1st! www.kickstarter.com/projects/nat...

kickstarter.com

Coming soon: Fang Hunters #1

A science fiction comic book series about a batch of eccentric vampire hunters who hop backwater planets and get paid by the fang

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Amazing phrase describing pirates that I’ve never encountered before: “Beasts of Prey.” source: A Speech made upon the Condemnation of Pirates [Nicholas Trott] 🗃️

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

GOP Sen Mike Lee suggests using privateers to take on the cartel at the US border. Because this has always been a great idea in history 🙃 www.abc4.com/news/nationa...

abc4.com

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Christina Holland @mortalwombat.info · 25/02/2025

Saw a cybertruck and my son asked why Elon Musk would think that looked good and I said "remember that drug they gave you at the hospital when you broke your arm, and you got scared and said everyone had 4 eyes? he takes that all the time"

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Raquel Delerme @raqueldelerme.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

This spring my colleague Rachel and I will teach for the 3rd time out gender studies class at a women’s prison. We would appreciate any donations to provide folders, notebooks, and pens for our incarcerated students. To support them, venmo Rachel at Rachel-Leah. Many thanks!

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

After 8 years, I have finally finished the first draft of my pirate novel! I began writing it in August of 2017. The idea came to me 2015 when I read a particularly interesting trial from the Old Bailey Online. It's been a long road with many stops & starts, other articles & books, but here we are!

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Hen Mazzig @henmazzig.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

BREAKING: Israel has just confirmed that the small bodies delivered today are Kfir and Ariel, but the adult body was not Shiri Bibas. Where the hell is Shiri???

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Lou Roper @roperlou.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Am very much looking forward to reading @nmkennedy.bsky.social @joplingn.bsky.social @piratebeckalex.bsky.social

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Dr. Rebecca Simon FRHistS @piratebeckalex.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Thank you to the You’re Dead To Me podcast to help make me an expert to give today’s lecture in my brand-new-never-taught-before class. @gregjenner.bsky.social

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