Clare Downham
@downham.bsky.social
Medievalist, Liverpool. She/Her. Author of books ‘Medieval Ireland’ ‘Viking Kings of Britain and Ireland’ currently commissioned for a Penguin Classics volume on the Viking Age. All DMs are blocked (Bluesky ID issue)
I'm not sure media moguls realise that news items where rich people worry about their mansion tax hits the masses the way they think it will.
November 26, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I'm not sure media moguls realise that news items where rich people worry about their mansion tax hits the masses the way they think it will.
Reposted by Clare Downham
Man pleads guilty after driving into crowd at Liverpool FC parade
www.channel4.com/news/man-ple...
www.channel4.com/news/man-ple...
Man pleads guilty after driving into crowd at Liverpool FC parade
A 54-year-old man has pleaded guilty to seriously injuring people at a victory parade for Liverpool Football Club in May.
www.channel4.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Man pleads guilty after driving into crowd at Liverpool FC parade
www.channel4.com/news/man-ple...
www.channel4.com/news/man-ple...
Reposted by Clare Downham
Giant deer's Christmas adventure to be shown in Irish and Welsh. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Animated Christmas movie Nollaí to be aired in Irish and Welsh
Festive film Nollaí - a tale of
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Giant deer's Christmas adventure to be shown in Irish and Welsh. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Clare Downham
A fascinating discussion with @milleridriss.bsky.social on ABC Radio National Breakfast this morning. If you enjoy this discussion, see Cynthia speak in-person at Gleebooks in Sydney this Friday (28 Nov)! Listen here:
'It's a major predictor': New book explores link between misogyny and violent extremism - ABC listen
Gender, misogyny and extremist violence are inextricably linked, according to a new book by renowned extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss. She's currently visiting Australia to promote her book Man…
www.abc.net.au
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
A fascinating discussion with @milleridriss.bsky.social on ABC Radio National Breakfast this morning. If you enjoy this discussion, see Cynthia speak in-person at Gleebooks in Sydney this Friday (28 Nov)! Listen here:
Reposted by Clare Downham
One of the big tidal forces of the coming years is that the baseline reliability of things you see on a screen is going to decline.
I think this has not been adequately metabolized.
This is one version, but there are a bunch of them.
I think this has not been adequately metabolized.
This is one version, but there are a bunch of them.
NEW: AI “recipe slop” is overrunning search and social. Food creators say Google’s AI Overviews and glossy fake food pics are drowning out real, tested recipes — collapsing traffic and setting home cooks up for disaster, especially this Thanksgiving.
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
AI Slop Recipes Are Taking Over the Internet -- And Thanksgiving Dinner
Food bloggers see traffic dip as home cooks turn to AI, inspired by impossible pictures
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
One of the big tidal forces of the coming years is that the baseline reliability of things you see on a screen is going to decline.
I think this has not been adequately metabolized.
This is one version, but there are a bunch of them.
I think this has not been adequately metabolized.
This is one version, but there are a bunch of them.
Reposted by Clare Downham
ICE detained Katie, a British woman in the final stages of her green card process, while she was holding her 6 month old son.
She’s married to an American and was following the process, yet at her last immigration meeting they grabbed her.
She’s been detained ever since:
She’s married to an American and was following the process, yet at her last immigration meeting they grabbed her.
She’s been detained ever since:
British woman arrested by ICE agents in California while holding newborn son
Katie was in the final stages of securing her green card when she was detained.
metro.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
ICE detained Katie, a British woman in the final stages of her green card process, while she was holding her 6 month old son.
She’s married to an American and was following the process, yet at her last immigration meeting they grabbed her.
She’s been detained ever since:
She’s married to an American and was following the process, yet at her last immigration meeting they grabbed her.
She’s been detained ever since:
Reposted by Clare Downham
Recently, Blake Gutt and I had the great fortune to sit down with @eocieslik.bsky.social & record a converation for the Whiplash pod with @maxwellkuzma.bsky.social on medieval trans & genderqueer saints--and why they matter today, more than ever
#MedievalSky 🗃️
#MedievalSky 🗃️
Full episode is on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube. Links and full episode description here:
open.substack.com/pub/maxwellk...
open.substack.com/pub/maxwellk...
Medieval Trans and Genderqueer Saints
Queer and trans people are often told that our lives have no place in the Christian past—that we’re modern disruptions, not part of the story. But when you look closely at the Middle Ages, that certai...
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Recently, Blake Gutt and I had the great fortune to sit down with @eocieslik.bsky.social & record a converation for the Whiplash pod with @maxwellkuzma.bsky.social on medieval trans & genderqueer saints--and why they matter today, more than ever
#MedievalSky 🗃️
#MedievalSky 🗃️
Reposted by Clare Downham
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants is in touch with State Rep. Jared Deck (Norman) and Rep. Tom Cole (Repub). The office of U.S. Sen. James Lankford (Repub) has been made aware.
They can't find Dr. Abedini's location. Important for several reasons including filing habeas corpus docs.
URL: x.com/jacobrosecra...
They can't find Dr. Abedini's location. Important for several reasons including filing habeas corpus docs.
URL: x.com/jacobrosecra...
![Rep. Jacob Rosecrants 🌩️
@jacobrosecrants
I’m aware of this awful situation, shared by my constituent Dr. Landis. Nobody seems to know where Dr. Abedini is being held, tho he has contacted family. Rep. Deck reached out to Rep. Cole & Sen. Lankford’s office is looped in. Here to be a squeaky wheel & help however I can.
[screenshot of Prof. Landis' tweet about Dr. Abedini being seized by ICE]
8:23 PM • Nov 24, 2025 • 1,351 Views](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2wyqv44lm72vasmddeqjgy72/bafkreiad7pgvpg5ds7s3rjys6u2psnfdiwhouicddgt5qdr2f4qhxax63y@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants is in touch with State Rep. Jared Deck (Norman) and Rep. Tom Cole (Repub). The office of U.S. Sen. James Lankford (Repub) has been made aware.
They can't find Dr. Abedini's location. Important for several reasons including filing habeas corpus docs.
URL: x.com/jacobrosecra...
They can't find Dr. Abedini's location. Important for several reasons including filing habeas corpus docs.
URL: x.com/jacobrosecra...
Reposted by Clare Downham
This year’s O’Donnell Lecture at the University of Edinburgh will be given by Professor @brendankanect.bsky.social of @earlymodirish.bsky.social fame. Brendan is Visiting Leverhulme Professor in Edinburgh in 2025 and 2026.
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 AM
This year’s O’Donnell Lecture at the University of Edinburgh will be given by Professor @brendankanect.bsky.social of @earlymodirish.bsky.social fame. Brendan is Visiting Leverhulme Professor in Edinburgh in 2025 and 2026.
Reposted by Clare Downham
A bilingual Dano-Norwegian/northern Sámi catechism from 1728, afaik the first printed book in Northern Sámi
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
A bilingual Dano-Norwegian/northern Sámi catechism from 1728, afaik the first printed book in Northern Sámi
Reposted by Clare Downham
Writing doesn't just help you process your thoughts.
Neuroscientists have found it physically changes your brain in ways that build resilience and help you handle everyday stress and challenges.
buff.ly/8PdXnTT
Neuroscientists have found it physically changes your brain in ways that build resilience and help you handle everyday stress and challenges.
buff.ly/8PdXnTT
Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges
Resilience is often presented as feats of bravery and endurance. But everyday practices like journaling, drafting a text or even writing a to-do list are manifestations of a capacity to adapt.
theconversation.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Writing doesn't just help you process your thoughts.
Neuroscientists have found it physically changes your brain in ways that build resilience and help you handle everyday stress and challenges.
buff.ly/8PdXnTT
Neuroscientists have found it physically changes your brain in ways that build resilience and help you handle everyday stress and challenges.
buff.ly/8PdXnTT
Today's knowledge commons free download "Vikings' Settlements in Ireland Before 1014" (2014) #ireland #vikings #medievalsky #history #archaeology
works.hcommons.org/records/4ae7...
works.hcommons.org/records/4ae7...
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Today's knowledge commons free download "Vikings' Settlements in Ireland Before 1014" (2014) #ireland #vikings #medievalsky #history #archaeology
works.hcommons.org/records/4ae7...
works.hcommons.org/records/4ae7...
Reposted by Clare Downham
ICYMI: we interviewed 2024 Ceræ essay prize winner, poet an academic Roxanne Bodsworth! She discusses medieval and modern poetry, her book recs, and women in Irish myth. #medievalsky
ceraejournal.com/2025/11/14/g...
ceraejournal.com/2025/11/14/g...
Guest Post: An Interview with Roxanne Bodsworth
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Roxanne Bodsworth to our interview series. Dr. Bodsworth holds a PhD from Victoria University, Melbourne, and is an academic and poet. Dr. Bodsworth is the winner of…
ceraejournal.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
ICYMI: we interviewed 2024 Ceræ essay prize winner, poet an academic Roxanne Bodsworth! She discusses medieval and modern poetry, her book recs, and women in Irish myth. #medievalsky
ceraejournal.com/2025/11/14/g...
ceraejournal.com/2025/11/14/g...
Reposted by Clare Downham
BBC History Extra has chosen Vanished as one of its books of the year! Amazed and grateful that my roar has reached far further than I imagined.
I was also on a podcast for them earlier this year. Link here: historyextra.supportingcast.fm/listen/histo....
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his...
I was also on a podcast for them earlier this year. Link here: historyextra.supportingcast.fm/listen/histo....
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his...
Best history books 2025: BBC History Magazine’s Books of the Year
In the roster of laudable history books published in 2025, authors tackled topics as diverse as Gaza, Indian partition, extinction, medieval and Stuart monarchs – even historians themselves. Here, a p...
www.historyextra.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
BBC History Extra has chosen Vanished as one of its books of the year! Amazed and grateful that my roar has reached far further than I imagined.
I was also on a podcast for them earlier this year. Link here: historyextra.supportingcast.fm/listen/histo....
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his...
I was also on a podcast for them earlier this year. Link here: historyextra.supportingcast.fm/listen/histo....
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his...
Reposted by Clare Downham
In one of our latest blogs, Dr Sarah Rose of the Victoria County History reflects on the publication of the first VCH volume to cover Cumbria - it's also the 250th in the "Big Red Book" series!
Learn more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-bringin...
#WeAreLocalHistory
@vch-home.bsky.social
Learn more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-bringin...
#WeAreLocalHistory
@vch-home.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
In one of our latest blogs, Dr Sarah Rose of the Victoria County History reflects on the publication of the first VCH volume to cover Cumbria - it's also the 250th in the "Big Red Book" series!
Learn more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-bringin...
#WeAreLocalHistory
@vch-home.bsky.social
Learn more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-bringin...
#WeAreLocalHistory
@vch-home.bsky.social
Reposted by Clare Downham
@teni.bsky.social don't seem to use their bsky account so I'm posting this over here from their facebook because people should see it: one of the first things our new President Connolly did last week was write the community a letter for TDOR 🏳️⚧️
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
@teni.bsky.social don't seem to use their bsky account so I'm posting this over here from their facebook because people should see it: one of the first things our new President Connolly did last week was write the community a letter for TDOR 🏳️⚧️
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...
Reposted by Clare Downham
ENGAGED is building a roadmap for open research in Ireland that shows how research and society can connect in stronger ways. Follow and share to help guide the direction. #publicengagement #openresearch
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
ENGAGED is building a roadmap for open research in Ireland that shows how research and society can connect in stronger ways. Follow and share to help guide the direction. #publicengagement #openresearch
Terrible - why would any woman want to get in the way of education for other women? No doubt the same people opposing English learning will blame immigrants for not trying to integrate! More here: news.stv.tv/west-central...
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Terrible - why would any woman want to get in the way of education for other women? No doubt the same people opposing English learning will blame immigrants for not trying to integrate! More here: news.stv.tv/west-central...
Reposted by Clare Downham
“Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.”
― Jules Verne, A Journey to the Center of the Earth
― Jules Verne, A Journey to the Center of the Earth
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
“Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.”
― Jules Verne, A Journey to the Center of the Earth
― Jules Verne, A Journey to the Center of the Earth
Reposted by Clare Downham
We’ve now produced a toolkit to guide science communicators through (critically) using certain strategies. It has been beautifully illustrated by @jordancollver.bsky.social (in collab with @rikworth.bsky.social) and can be downloaded as a PDF here:
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194747/
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194747/
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
We’ve now produced a toolkit to guide science communicators through (critically) using certain strategies. It has been beautifully illustrated by @jordancollver.bsky.social (in collab with @rikworth.bsky.social) and can be downloaded as a PDF here:
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194747/
livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3194747/
Reposted by Clare Downham
Reposted by Clare Downham
This orangutan can't be beaten at climbing up a tree. Imagine its skill and poise as our next secretary of education.
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
This orangutan can't be beaten at climbing up a tree. Imagine its skill and poise as our next secretary of education.
Reposted by Clare Downham
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
Reposted by Clare Downham
An extraordinary font. Originally at Hampstead Norreys (Berks) but removed in 1767 and eventually presented to Stone (Bucks) in 1845. It dates from 1175-1200. Six faces teem with Romanesque carving.
November 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
An extraordinary font. Originally at Hampstead Norreys (Berks) but removed in 1767 and eventually presented to Stone (Bucks) in 1845. It dates from 1175-1200. Six faces teem with Romanesque carving.
Reposted by Clare Downham
I will be in London to present the paper "Dahomey: A West African Kingdom in the Centre of the World During the Eighteenth Century" at the @ihreurope1500.bsky.social on Dec 1, 17h30 (London time) register here to join us in person or online www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... #slaveryarchive
November 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I will be in London to present the paper "Dahomey: A West African Kingdom in the Centre of the World During the Eighteenth Century" at the @ihreurope1500.bsky.social on Dec 1, 17h30 (London time) register here to join us in person or online www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... #slaveryarchive