J L Laynesmith
@jllaynesmith.bsky.social
2.7K followers 630 following 170 posts
Medievalist in Reading researching queenship, Wars of the Roses, royal adultery, and medieval noblewomen (Cecily Duchess of York appears frequently) | Editor of The Ricardian | May also mention Environment, Eco Church, Trade Justice . . .
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
katharinehayhoe.com
Two of the most common climate misconceptions I see, even among knowledgeable folks, are that (1) most people aren't worried about climate change, and (2) if they were, they'd act.

Not true! Data show (1) most people are worried, but (2) they won’t act if they don’t know what to do-and most don’t.
A map of the world showing how levels of worry in most countries are greater than 70%. Source: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, International Public Opinion on Climate Change, 2023.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
A glorious October day in my favourite city.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
operationnoah.bsky.social
There's still time to register for our 7 Oct webinar (12.30pm) on greening our finances. We'll be joined by Eco Church & JustMoney Movement as we explore practical steps churches can take, such as choosing a greener bank account, investing in climate solutions & more. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
And before that Toby Capwell and Dominic Smee shared stories of the making of the documentary on the likely impact of Richard III's scoliosis on his use of armour and ability to fight on horseback.
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
Caroline Wilkinson gave a fascinating talk on digital immortality (faces here include John Whetamstede and St Nicholas)
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
Lovely to learn this connection between a woman I have long admired (loyal Katherine) and one of my favourite houses.
thetudortimes.bsky.social
#OTD 1509 Sir Nicholas Vaux was appointed lieutenant of Guisnes Castle. He was the son of loyal Lancastrians, his mother, Katherine Peniston had followed Margaret of Anjou into exile & he had fought at Bosworth for Henry Tudor. His daughter m. George Throckmorton of Coughton Court bit.ly/1BF1PZn)
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
donnachadhmc.bsky.social
Please help combat BBC news blackout of Green Party!
@zackpolanski.bsky.social was the only party leader not interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg during their party conference.
So please RT his cracking conference speech..
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
teachmedwomen.bsky.social
Natasha Hodgson @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social also talked more about the findings of the @endsexisminschools.bsky.social report in the following Tes article.
tesmagazine.bsky.social
Most key stage 3 history lessons don’t feature any women, research shows. Teachers tell Tes about the changes they are making to address this gender imbalance in the curriculum
Why are women missing from school history?
The extent to which history lessons ignore female figures has been revealed by new research. Here, teachers share the changes they are making to address this gender imbalance
www.tes.com
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
josiah.writes.news
Some good news.

London is meeting legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s "world leading air pollution policies," City Hall announces.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone - and similar policies - really do work.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
nationaltrust.org.uk
Climate change is already damaging the nature, beauty and heritage we care for. Without deep and sustained cuts to emissions, nature faces an even more perilous future and the places people love will continue to suffer.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tories pledge to scrap landmark climate legislation
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says her party would axe legally binding targets to cut emissions.
www.bbc.co.uk
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
bertrom.bsky.social
RIP the wonderful Primatologist Jane Goodall.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

A beautiful person.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
axbom.com
Happy Petrov Day to those who celebrate. On September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov made the correct decision to not trust a computer.

I've attached a short clip from a reenactment of the situation in the documentary The Man Who Saved the World.

1/11
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
An interesting post to read in conjunction with the article on medicinal plants in late medieval gardens that appeared in The Ricardian (just arriving with @richardiiisociety.bsky.social members).
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
justincolson.bsky.social
The @ihr.bsky.social Late Medieval Seminar series for autumn 2025 is now published. Themes from ladies in waiting to the custom house, and a roundtable on editing sources. All seminars are hybrid (or fully online), also, I'm now one of the convenors! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Late Medieval
Seminar
www.history.ac.uk
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
profaliceroberts.bsky.social
Two very important graphs.
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
yorkisthistory.bsky.social
Just under a week left to submit a proposal for our sessions at @imc-leeds.bsky.social next year and to apply for a bursary! #Skystorians #MedievalSky
yorkisthistory.bsky.social
We're seeking proposals for papers on the long fifteenth century for Trust-sponsored panels at next year's @imc-leeds.bsky.social, as well as offering bursaries of £300 for speakers! Please see here for more info: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2025/09/02/y... @jllaynesmith.bsky.social #MedievalSky
Proposals are sought for 20-minute papers on new research on the period 1399-1525. Topics within the IMC 2026 theme of ‘Temporalities’ are encouraged, but any subject within the relevant time frame is welcome.

Bursaries of £300 are available for scholars without institutional funding (at any stage of their career). Please note the IMC’s proposal criteria at www.imc.leeds.ac.uk/proposals/criteria.

Please send a 150-200 word abstract and short biography to Dr Joanna Laynesmith at j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk by 18th September 2025 stating whether you wish to apply for a bursary or just to propose a paper.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
dianewatt.bsky.social
The Matlaske reliquary pendant. This is the sort of ‘device’ Margaret Paston may have worn and it was found around 3km from her first marital home in Gresham. Now on display in the Gallery of Medieval Life in the Norwich Cathedral Museum. I saw it properly for the first time yesterday.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
"Net zero is not just feasible but also economically sensible" and people want it - please @labouruk.bsky.social
dpcarrington.bsky.social
Research reveals huge disparity between perceived and actual willingness of public to contribute to fixing climate

- "[Politicians] have more public support than they may realise"

#climatecrisis #89percent
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Underestimating support for climate action limits political decision making, study says
Research reveals huge disparity between perceived and actual willingness of public to contribute to fixing climate
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
churchtimes.bsky.social
Solar panels are to be installed on the roof of St Mary Magdalene’s, Woodstock, a Grade II* listed church, after a faculty was granted by the Consistory Court of the diocese of Oxford.
Solar panels permitted on Woodstock Church
Chancellor rules that they would be barely visible from Blenheim
www.churchtimes.co.uk
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
jllaynesmith.bsky.social
Call for Papers on The Long Fifteenth Century at Leeds IMC, 6-9 July 2026
Sponsored by the Yorkist History Trust

£300 bursaries for scholars without institutional funding (at any stage of their career). Application deadline 18 September 2025. For more details, email
[email protected]
Logo of the Yorkist History Trust - a book with the words 'quam meritorium sit libros novos scribere et veteres renovare' across the pages  in front of a white rose.
Reposted by J L Laynesmith
yuanfenyang.bsky.social
Yesterday in Parliament, I raised the case of my former @financialtimes.com colleague who is stuck in Gaza and is starving. Too many journalists have been killed in targeted attacks by the Israeli military. (1/2)

My question 👇