Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Hi Jilliane. How do I get added to the history feed automatically? 100
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 28/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon #history 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 28/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon 000
Reposted by Simon Sandys-WinschSimon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 22/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon. 001
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 22/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon. 001
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 22/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 22/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026The ground-breaking political, scientific and cultural events that shaped the British Isles and America in the 17th century have been knitted together in this 'sequel' to The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary. Available for pre-order on Amazon. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Plague, fire, war, plots, scandals, revolution and the greatest scientific and literary minds of the 17th century. The groundbreaking events and fascinating trivia of the Stuart era are brought to life in a dictionary format along with over 150 illustrations. Available for pre-order on Amazon. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 08/08/2025Aphra Behn. What a character and inspiration!! 110
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 21/03/2025First, thanks to those who bought my book. It was a project of love and toil and I can't believe it's done so well. Second, a little quiz! 1 Which granddaughter of Edward IV was queen of France? 2 How was Jane Seymour related to Thomas Cromwell? 3 Who was voted the worst Briton of the 16th century? 041
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 19/03/2025Worcestershire is easy! What about particaly, no particluy, no particully. Particularly, dammit!? 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees? Because they're good at it. 25411
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 18/02/2025Ooh, what I would give for a bit of aprication today! 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 18/02/2025An example of why Western countries with shrinking populations should be encouraging immigration ://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/how-spains-radically-different-approach-to-migration-helped-its-economy-soartheguardian.comHow Spain’s radically different approach to migration helped its economy soarAs immigration has increased, GDP has surged and unemployment has fallen to lowest level since 2008 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 18/02/2025Just released in America! Contains 92 mini-biographies ranging from Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I to Thomas Cromwell, Drake and Margaret Beaufort. Entries, too, on Tudor life such as Marriage, Crime and Punishment and Education and many events such as battles, revolts and Evil May Day. 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 26/12/2024(Left) Katherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife in 1540. Or is it? There are no verified images of her. Now thought to be Elizabeth Seymour (Jane Seymour's sister) or even Anne of Cleves. To me, there is a striking resemblance with Henry's fourth wife (right). 051
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 25/12/2024'And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire.’ The first recorded use of the term 'Merry Christmas', in a letter to Thomas Cromwell from Thomas Mayhew, 1533. Yes,that's right - the famously phlegmatic Cromwell was the first to be officially 'merrified'! 030
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 24/12/2024Love letter no.15 from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn (1527?). In it he writes of his loneliness since her last visit and 'wishing myself in my sweetheart's arms whose pretty dukkys I trust shortly to kiss'. I'll let you figure out what 'dukkys' are! 020
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 22/12/2024A primer presented to Elizabeth I by Sir Christopher Nugent in the 1560s to help her learn Irish. Elizabeth was a skilled linguist who could speak nine languages although one can't know how fluent she became in Irish. 030
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 21/12/2024My early Christmas present. Feel like a 5 year-old child on the morning of Christmas Day! 130
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 21/12/2024Raspberry or Razberry? Surely, one must pronounce the p! 020
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 21/12/2024Jane 'the Foole', from Henry VIII's 1545 family portrait. Jane was probably a 'natural fool' meaning she had some mental disability. She sometimes performed with the more famous Will Somer who she may have married. Jane was Anne Boleyn's fool and later inherited by Catherine Parr and Queen Mary. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 20/12/2024The galliard. An athletic dance that involved many leaps and hops. Said to be Elizabeth I's favourite dance, one she practised as part of her morning exercise at least until 1589 when she was 56. 020
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 19/12/2024'Old Coppernose'. Henry VIII's nickname after the thin layer of silver upon his nose on testoons revealed the cheap copper beneath. The Great Debasement of the 1540s dramatically reduced the value of English coins leading to inflation, more poverty and social unrest at the end of the decade. 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 18/12/2024A page from The Boke of Cokery, the first ever English cookbook. Published by Richard Pynson in 1500, the only surviving copy is in Longleat House, Wilts. Aimed at the nobility, its ingredients included peacocks, spiced wine, plovers, almond milk spiced with cumin and grains of paradise. 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 18/12/2024The portrait and printer's mark of Wynkyn de Worde. De Worde worked with Caxton in the 1480s to create England's first printed literature. He aimed for a mass market by producing cheaper, more popular books such as England's first book of Christmas carols (1521). Only a single page now exists. 030
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 17/12/2024John Dee(1527-1609). In my mind,the greatest Renaissance man of the Tudor age. An alchemist, astronomer, mathematician and antiquarian, he constantly pushed against the boundaries of knowledge but lacked official recognition. Many thought him a wizard and he probably inspired Shakespeare's Prospero. 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 16/12/2024When people say "We were sat.." or "I was stood..." 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 16/12/2024The Lord of Misrule. A Christmas festival when an ordinary commoner was elected leader of drunken festivities. Masters and servants would swap places, mock trials and punishments, feasts and parades occurred. Reached a zenith under Edward VI but eventually banned by the Church in the 17th century. 020
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 15/12/2024All whiskers and no brain. That's my mog. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 14/12/2024Brank's Bridle and drunkard's cloak. The former, considered a just punishment for nagging women, had a pointed metallic mouthpiece that caused continual salivation as she was led around on a leash. The latter publicly humiliated anyone found drunk and became much used in the 1650s Commonwealth. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 14/12/2024The mysterious sweating sickness. There were five outbreaks between 1485 and 1551 in England before it vanished. Killing tens of thousands, usual symptoms inc shivering, hot flushes and sweats. Death came within hours. Cromwell's family, Henry Brandon's sons and maybe Prince Arthur were victims. 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 13/12/2024Apologies for the shameless marketing but it's finally coming out today! 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 12/12/2024The Mary Rose as depicted in the Anthony Roll of 1546. The anti-boarding nets were the main cause of around 500 deaths when it sank in the previous year but there's much debate over the cause of the disaster. Unruly crew? Top-heavy refit? Gust of wind whilst turning? French gunnery? All the above? 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 11/12/2024Man walks into a library and calls out, "Fish n chips, please!" Librarian: "Don't you realise this is a library!?" Man: "Oh sorry" and whispers, "Fish and chips please." 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 11/12/2024Margaret Beaufort. Patron of educational and religious institutions and the powerful mother of Henry VII. Her determination brought about the Tudor dynasty. Even Henry VIII based his first privy council on her wishes. This full size portrait (c. 1510) was unusual for a woman in those days. 010
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 10/12/2024An incredibly clever anamorphic portrait of Prince Edward in 1546 by the Flemish artist, William Scrots. It only makes sense when viewed from a very acute angle on the left or when reflected in a curved mirror. The intelligent boy prince was probably delighted by it. 000
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 09/12/2024Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees? Because they're good at it. 040
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 09/12/2024'A Catte'. One of the many tapestries sewn by Mary, Queen of Scots during her captivity in England. Her monogram is to the right of the cat's head. Much of her work is supposed to contain political messages. In this case, the ginger cat (Elizabeth I) is toying with a mouse (Mary). 020
Reposted by Simon Sandys-WinschRick Havoc @rickhavoc.bsky.social · 08/12/2024Good morning!☕️✌️ 993352433573
Simon Sandys-Winsch @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social · 08/12/2024The Tide Letter, 1554. Lady Elizabeth begs her sister, Mary I, not to imprison her. She drew lines at end to prevent her enemies writing an incriminating postscript and wrote it slowly to miss the day's low tide that would enable a boat to take her under Tower Bridge to the Tower. Hence the name. 010
