Andrew Ayton
@andrewayton.bsky.social
Historian (ret’d Univ of Hull, UK) working on late medieval military, maritime, soc & economic; & Napoleonic. MSS, prosopography, networks. Classical music, wildlife, cinema, coins, postal history, Dorset, France, Hungary. 🦋& #Shugborough Staffs pictures.
Pinned
Andrew Ayton
@andrewayton.bsky.social
· Jun 26
We’ve launched a new collection of openly accessible videos, Interviews with Historians, in which prominent 20th century historians reflect on their lives and professional practices. Access the collection here:
www.history.ac.uk/library-digi...
www.history.ac.uk/library-digi...
This is a splendid resource: just played Moses Finley. An exile from the US, interesting just at the moment.
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
Maritime History and Culture Seminars 2026📣
📍Online
🗓️February-May 2026
Free talks that cover a range of fascinating subjects, from maritime art and naval strategy to Black History and museum exhibitions.
Find out more 👉 www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/mar...
📍Online
🗓️February-May 2026
Free talks that cover a range of fascinating subjects, from maritime art and naval strategy to Black History and museum exhibitions.
Find out more 👉 www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/mar...
February 12, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Maritime History and Culture Seminars 2026📣
📍Online
🗓️February-May 2026
Free talks that cover a range of fascinating subjects, from maritime art and naval strategy to Black History and museum exhibitions.
Find out more 👉 www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/mar...
📍Online
🗓️February-May 2026
Free talks that cover a range of fascinating subjects, from maritime art and naval strategy to Black History and museum exhibitions.
Find out more 👉 www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/mar...
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
"The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction."
~ Samuel Johnson
~ Samuel Johnson
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
February 12, 2026 at 3:55 PM
"The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction."
~ Samuel Johnson
~ Samuel Johnson
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
It’s Hammurabi time www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Code of Hammurabi
The impact of the wide-ranging laws of Hammurabi, King of Babylon from 4,000 years ago.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:47 PM
It’s Hammurabi time www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
Happy Darwin Day 2026! 🧪
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
February 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Happy Darwin Day 2026! 🧪
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
Benny Hill
Who's the most famous alum of your high school?
I'll skip a few more obvious dynastic alums to elevate Walker Evans, who I hadn't even realized went there till I saw this prompt and looked at a list.
Bonus famous non-graduate: Humphrey Bogart (expelled).
I'll skip a few more obvious dynastic alums to elevate Walker Evans, who I hadn't even realized went there till I saw this prompt and looked at a list.
Bonus famous non-graduate: Humphrey Bogart (expelled).
Medal of Honor recipient Chris Celiz. AJ Green gets an honorable mention.
February 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Benny Hill
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
The special issue of Cultural and Social History on “Researching Student Lives: Methodological and Theoretical Perspectives” (co-ed. w Georgina Brewis & Jodi Burkett) is live - yay! Several articles are OA :) Huge thanks to our contributors & the journal editors!
www.tandfonline.com/toc/rfcs20/2...
www.tandfonline.com/toc/rfcs20/2...
Cultural and Social History
Researching Student Lives: Methodological and Theoretical Perspectives. Volume 23, Issue 1 of Cultural and Social History
www.tandfonline.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:27 AM
The special issue of Cultural and Social History on “Researching Student Lives: Methodological and Theoretical Perspectives” (co-ed. w Georgina Brewis & Jodi Burkett) is live - yay! Several articles are OA :) Huge thanks to our contributors & the journal editors!
www.tandfonline.com/toc/rfcs20/2...
www.tandfonline.com/toc/rfcs20/2...
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
filled out the horrible settlement consultation and I’m sorry, the question that is framed as a negative so that you have to ‘strongly disagree’ with something not happening?? This has enraged me
February 11, 2026 at 8:15 AM
filled out the horrible settlement consultation and I’m sorry, the question that is framed as a negative so that you have to ‘strongly disagree’ with something not happening?? This has enraged me
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
"Eighty-two years after his execution by the Gestapo on June 16, 1944, the Jewish historian and resistance fighter Marc Bloch will be inducted into the Pantheon on June 23... His family requested that 'the far right, in all its forms, be excluded from any participation in the ceremony.'"
Marc Bloch, historien et résistant juif, entrera au Panthéon le 23 juin
Marc Bloch, historien et résistant juif, entrera au Panthéon le 23 juin
La date du 16 juin avait été dans un premier temps pressentie pour son entrée au Panthéon, mais la cérémonie a dû être décalée de quelques jours en raison du G7 à Evian-les-Bains.
www.lemonde.fr
February 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
"Eighty-two years after his execution by the Gestapo on June 16, 1944, the Jewish historian and resistance fighter Marc Bloch will be inducted into the Pantheon on June 23... His family requested that 'the far right, in all its forms, be excluded from any participation in the ceremony.'"
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
Part of the 'Fame' of Hoorn (lost off Poole 1631) uncovered by a storm on a beach in Studland Bay...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Timbers from 17th Century shipwreck appear on Dorset beach
Experts believe timbers found at Studland Beach form a missing piece of the Swash Channel wreck from 1631.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Part of the 'Fame' of Hoorn (lost off Poole 1631) uncovered by a storm on a beach in Studland Bay...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Siskins often visit the alders in our garden in winter - this morning I counted 55 in the flock, caught in a photo as they took off.
1/2 Garden BirdWatchers asked why Siskins visited their feeders in higher numbers some winters compared to others. Discover the answer ⬇️🧵 #Ornithology
📷 Graham Catley/BTO 🪶
📷 Graham Catley/BTO 🪶
February 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Siskins often visit the alders in our garden in winter - this morning I counted 55 in the flock, caught in a photo as they took off.
Never a good idea to look at social media before retiring. ‘McSweeney resigning on his own terms’! Good riddance. What damage has been done already.
February 8, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Never a good idea to look at social media before retiring. ‘McSweeney resigning on his own terms’! Good riddance. What damage has been done already.
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
A Rare Survival
This early 14th-century effigy at Pendomer (Somerset) shows Sir John Domer (d. after 1321) in conventional pose - hands clasped in prayer, feet against a lion, head on great helm. But the architectural setting is unusual.
This early 14th-century effigy at Pendomer (Somerset) shows Sir John Domer (d. after 1321) in conventional pose - hands clasped in prayer, feet against a lion, head on great helm. But the architectural setting is unusual.
February 4, 2026 at 6:02 PM
A Rare Survival
This early 14th-century effigy at Pendomer (Somerset) shows Sir John Domer (d. after 1321) in conventional pose - hands clasped in prayer, feet against a lion, head on great helm. But the architectural setting is unusual.
This early 14th-century effigy at Pendomer (Somerset) shows Sir John Domer (d. after 1321) in conventional pose - hands clasped in prayer, feet against a lion, head on great helm. But the architectural setting is unusual.
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
Turns out there's more to Felix Liebermann than just obsessiveness about manuscripts and a fondness for difficult German. ingridfiv.github.io/ingridsblog/...
Felix Liebermann’s life
What do we know about Felix Liebermann the man?
ingridfiv.github.io
February 6, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Turns out there's more to Felix Liebermann than just obsessiveness about manuscripts and a fondness for difficult German. ingridfiv.github.io/ingridsblog/...
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
‘A deeply researched and valuable book'
#HardStreets by @jacriding.bsky.social is the lead review in the Literary Review. A journey through the working-class London of Charlie Chaplin's childhood, out on Thursday.
literaryreview.co.uk/arts-graft
#HardStreets by @jacriding.bsky.social is the lead review in the Literary Review. A journey through the working-class London of Charlie Chaplin's childhood, out on Thursday.
literaryreview.co.uk/arts-graft
Norma Clarke - Arts & Graft
Norma Clarke: Arts & Graft - Hard Streets: Working-Class Lives in Charlie Chaplin’s London by Jacqueline Riding
literaryreview.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 10:21 AM
‘A deeply researched and valuable book'
#HardStreets by @jacriding.bsky.social is the lead review in the Literary Review. A journey through the working-class London of Charlie Chaplin's childhood, out on Thursday.
literaryreview.co.uk/arts-graft
#HardStreets by @jacriding.bsky.social is the lead review in the Literary Review. A journey through the working-class London of Charlie Chaplin's childhood, out on Thursday.
literaryreview.co.uk/arts-graft
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
We recently posted about the newly revealed archaeology of the old town walls. Several courses of brick have survived below our feet, which date to the 14th Century. You can find out more on the BBC here: tinyurl.com/bdfa36xs
Image: Location of area on 1715 plan of #hull
@HumberFieldArchaeology
Image: Location of area on 1715 plan of #hull
@HumberFieldArchaeology
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
We recently posted about the newly revealed archaeology of the old town walls. Several courses of brick have survived below our feet, which date to the 14th Century. You can find out more on the BBC here: tinyurl.com/bdfa36xs
Image: Location of area on 1715 plan of #hull
@HumberFieldArchaeology
Image: Location of area on 1715 plan of #hull
@HumberFieldArchaeology
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
Check it out, we're planning a special issue of @frenchhistory.bsky.social for the 700th anniversary of the advent of the Valois dynasty! Details and timeline at the link below, but don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions 😊
Call for Papers: The Valois (1328–1589): Governing France between Medieval and Modern
French History is an international forum for major new articles covering all aspects of the histories of France and the Francophone world, from the early M
academic.oup.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Check it out, we're planning a special issue of @frenchhistory.bsky.social for the 700th anniversary of the advent of the Valois dynasty! Details and timeline at the link below, but don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions 😊
Large flock of siskins feasting on the alder catkins in our Staffs garden. Can't see any redpolls among them, but it's a raw day to be standing outside for any length of time with binoculars.
February 3, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Large flock of siskins feasting on the alder catkins in our Staffs garden. Can't see any redpolls among them, but it's a raw day to be standing outside for any length of time with binoculars.
Tremendous news - a welcome relief from the relentless torrent of toxicity and stupidity. Glad to have contributed a little to this.
We want to say a GIANT *thank you* for stepping up for nature, beauty and history.
Your overwhelmingly generous response to our appeal means that we have been able to secure land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, protecting this cherished landscape!
Your overwhelmingly generous response to our appeal means that we have been able to secure land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, protecting this cherished landscape!
Time is ticking and our deadline is looming... Will you help to safeguard the Giant's lair, including Giant Hill, and the surrounding area for wildlife and heritage to flourish?
February 3, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Tremendous news - a welcome relief from the relentless torrent of toxicity and stupidity. Glad to have contributed a little to this.
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
We want to say a GIANT *thank you* for stepping up for nature, beauty and history.
Your overwhelmingly generous response to our appeal means that we have been able to secure land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, protecting this cherished landscape!
Your overwhelmingly generous response to our appeal means that we have been able to secure land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, protecting this cherished landscape!
Time is ticking and our deadline is looming... Will you help to safeguard the Giant's lair, including Giant Hill, and the surrounding area for wildlife and heritage to flourish?
February 3, 2026 at 11:29 AM
We want to say a GIANT *thank you* for stepping up for nature, beauty and history.
Your overwhelmingly generous response to our appeal means that we have been able to secure land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, protecting this cherished landscape!
Your overwhelmingly generous response to our appeal means that we have been able to secure land surrounding the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, protecting this cherished landscape!
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
Need some help accessing medieval documents? I am available for freelance work in archives!
I have extensive experience transcribing medieval documents in Latin, Middle French, Middle English and Italian from 1200 to 1500.
I have extensive experience transcribing medieval documents in Latin, Middle French, Middle English and Italian from 1200 to 1500.
February 2, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Need some help accessing medieval documents? I am available for freelance work in archives!
I have extensive experience transcribing medieval documents in Latin, Middle French, Middle English and Italian from 1200 to 1500.
I have extensive experience transcribing medieval documents in Latin, Middle French, Middle English and Italian from 1200 to 1500.
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
New from me in @parergon.bsky.social "Making Excuses: The Diplomatic Anxieties of Edward I of England". Hit me up if you want to read it but don't have access. #MedievalSky
Project MUSE - Making Excuses: The Diplomatic Anxieties of Edward I of England
muse.jhu.edu
December 13, 2025 at 1:03 AM
New from me in @parergon.bsky.social "Making Excuses: The Diplomatic Anxieties of Edward I of England". Hit me up if you want to read it but don't have access. #MedievalSky
Always looking out for interesting #JapaneseCinema, I stumbled across ‘Faking Beethoven’ (Kazuaki Seki, 2925). Mixed reviews because doesn’t fit established genres; actually, rather good on how history, as written, emerges. 19thC Vienna via Japanese mores. And the music!
m.imdb.com/title/tt3851...
m.imdb.com/title/tt3851...
Beethoven Netsuzou (2025) ⭐ 5.7
1h 55m
m.imdb.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Always looking out for interesting #JapaneseCinema, I stumbled across ‘Faking Beethoven’ (Kazuaki Seki, 2925). Mixed reviews because doesn’t fit established genres; actually, rather good on how history, as written, emerges. 19thC Vienna via Japanese mores. And the music!
m.imdb.com/title/tt3851...
m.imdb.com/title/tt3851...
Reposted by Andrew Ayton
A 400 year old Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Fredville Park, the Kingdom of Kent
A standard 6’ 6’’ Oliver as a size guide
A standard 6’ 6’’ Oliver as a size guide
January 31, 2026 at 7:25 AM
A 400 year old Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Fredville Park, the Kingdom of Kent
A standard 6’ 6’’ Oliver as a size guide
A standard 6’ 6’’ Oliver as a size guide
A reminder that, if you contributed to the RSPB's Garden Birdwatch recently, there's also the BTO's version that can be done all year round (you submit weekly lists). 15 species here so far this week (largish, rural garden with mature trees etc), with 2 that might well appear before close tomorrow.
Did you know that by submitting your garden wildlife sightings regularly to BTO Garden BirdWatch, you are directly contributing towards research which looks into the year-round importance of gardens for wildlife. 🪶
Discover more at www.bto.org/get-involved...
📷Philip Croft / BTO
Discover more at www.bto.org/get-involved...
📷Philip Croft / BTO
January 30, 2026 at 3:51 PM
A reminder that, if you contributed to the RSPB's Garden Birdwatch recently, there's also the BTO's version that can be done all year round (you submit weekly lists). 15 species here so far this week (largish, rural garden with mature trees etc), with 2 that might well appear before close tomorrow.