Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 5h

A terrific actress. But talent doesn't always run in families.

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 11h

From this, up on my Substack now.

Louis MacNeice and Autumn Journal

One of the 20th century's great history poems – and a joyous confession of faith in everyday life

mathewlyons.substack.com

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 11h

Louis MacNeice in 1940 looking back on the poetry of the Thirties.

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Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Helen Barrett @helenbarrett.bsky.social · 13h

Jilly Cooper on ageing.

The books on staying young are so dismal. They all tell you to give up booze and lying in the sun. I think that's junk, booze and sun make me jolly, and nothing ages one quicker than feeling miserable. They're always banging on, too, about the right diet and one's cholesterol level.

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Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Dr Holly Nielsen @hollynielsen.bsky.social · 15h

Reminder that if you’d like to work with a writer and narrative person who puts in fun things like this even in a game with a non-historical setting- then I’m available for work at the beginning of the new year

Dr Holly Nielsen @hollynielsen.bsky.social · 1d

I love writing for games and getting to slip in little bits of historiography. In one storylet I’ve covered ambiguity in material culture, “truth” and “emotional truth”, and the need to research the everyday alongside the exceptional 🫡

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 15h

“Smile at everyone, but without trusting anyone you do not know. Above all make sure that you do not scorn or condemn anything about their country."

Advice from Erasmus to a scholar visiting England in 1527.

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 18h

I enjoy being edited. Why wouldn't you value having someone pay close attention to your work?

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 1d

Season 5 of Slow Horses is even sillier than the others

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you!

Reposted by Mathew Lyons

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 2d

Salt Books is an excellent publisher who put out exciting books that most multi-nationals wouldn't go near. Think I've bought more @saltpublishing.com titles than any other Indie (bar the ones that publish me, anyway) Why not help them grow? gofund.me/f8293c76d

Donate to Keep Independent Publishing Alive – Support Salt Books 2026, organized by Christopher Hamilton-Emery

Help Salt Publish Brilliant New Books in 2026 For twenty-… Christopher Hamilton-Emery needs your support for Keep Independent Publishing Alive – Support Salt Books 2026

gofund.me

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 2d

They have, but I'm inclined to think that this kind of mindset is what led them to neglect the important stuff - which they still haven't fixed - in the first place.

Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Dr Sara Lodge @victoriandetective.bsky.social · 2d

Launch day for the paperback of my book, The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective!

Humbug notes that it makes excellent bedtime reading.

Do you have a book club or local literary/historical society? I could drop by & give a talk or answer questions.

Will be doing a giveaway too.

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Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Andrew Male @andrewmale.bsky.social · 2d

That curious social media trend which I can only sum up as:

Me: Look at this amazing car.
You: Look at this horrible car crash

Me: I like this person from history.
You: He was a cunt.

Really needs to stop.

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 2d

The new website for the British Library, one of the great research archives of the world, looks like its been designed for twelve-year olds. www.bl.uk

Welcome to the British Library

We are the UK's national library. Open to everyone and free to use. Explore our buildings, study, meet friends, attend an event and get free access to over 170 million items.

www.bl.uk

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Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Dr Francis Young @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 2d

“Both discoveries show the crucial role of county council archives and their staff in preserving this musical heritage.”

Dr Ian McCormick @wokestudies.bsky.social · 2d

GOOD NEWS !
"A team of musicologists has unearthed the printed score of a previously unknown Purcell song, as well as the original manuscript for various keyboard compositions."
#baroque #music
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...

‘Almost unheard of’: experts find more music by English composer Henry Purcell

Printed score and keyboard manuscript by Purcell, who died in 1695, unearthed in Worcestershire and Norfolk

www.theguardian.com

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 2d

Great book post the last couple of days!

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Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Charles West @pseudo-isidore.bsky.social · 2d

"long forgotten" 😂
(Great project tho)

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 2d

'A nationwide survey commissioned by Henry VIII on the property and wealth of 16th century England and Wales is to be made publicly accessible for the first time.

The survey, known as the Valor Ecclesiasticus, set out to discover the financial state of the Church'.

National project launched to rediscover Henry VIII’s long-forgotten ‘Tudor Domesday Book’

A nationwide survey commissioned by Henry VIII on the property and wealth of 16th century England and Wales is to be made publicly accessible for the first time. The survey, known as the Valor Ecclesi...

news.exeter.ac.uk

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 3d

Not my headline, but it's perfect! Thank you @engelsbergideas.bsky.social

Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 3d

I had the great pleasure of reviewing Richard Holmes' superb new biography of the young Tennyson for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social tracing the impact of contemporary scientific developments on his work - and on his already troubled pyschology. engelsbergideas.com/reviews/tenn...

Tennyson was young once

A new biography of the formative years of the Victorian poet illuminates an unparalleled historical moment of vulnerability and wonder.

engelsbergideas.com

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Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 3d

I had the great pleasure of reviewing Richard Holmes' superb new biography of the young Tennyson for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social tracing the impact of contemporary scientific developments on his work - and on his already troubled pyschology. engelsbergideas.com/reviews/tenn...

Tennyson was young once

A new biography of the formative years of the Victorian poet illuminates an unparalleled historical moment of vulnerability and wonder.

engelsbergideas.com

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Reposted by Mathew Lyons

Engelsberg Ideas @engelsbergideas.bsky.social · 3d

A new biography of the formative years of the Victorian poet illuminates an unparalleled historical moment of vulnerability and wonder.

Tennyson was young once | @mathewlyons.bsky.social

engelsbergideas.com/reviews/tenn...