Rory M. Butcher
@rmbhistory.bsky.social
Historian | PhD@UniofLeeds | Fencibles & UK Home Defence 1793-1802 | National identity, masculinity, & contractual soldiering in the #C18th | Army Records Society Fellowship | Aspiring hockey goaltender | Historical reenactor | Opinions my own | he/him
In fun news - thesis submitted! Now just gotta do this whole viva thing...how hard can it be?
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
October 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
In fun news - thesis submitted! Now just gotta do this whole viva thing...how hard can it be?
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
October 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
So I went to get one book to plug a hole in a footnote...and ended up also getting my own copies of 4 core texts (admittedly at very good prices)
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
October 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
So I went to get one book to plug a hole in a footnote...and ended up also getting my own copies of 4 core texts (admittedly at very good prices)
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
The dust settles on the first day of seminars of the semester.
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
October 1, 2025 at 9:20 AM
The dust settles on the first day of seminars of the semester.
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
Life stuff (our car imploding) rather scuppered a phd-focused end to the week, but I absolutely loved going to @camhistory.bsky.social to present on this aspect of my research.
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
May 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Life stuff (our car imploding) rather scuppered a phd-focused end to the week, but I absolutely loved going to @camhistory.bsky.social to present on this aspect of my research.
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
I've just finished the argument summary for chapter 5 and, in a terrifying moment, realised that *this* is the complete sum of the last 43~ months of my life
#phdlife
#phdlife
April 10, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I've just finished the argument summary for chapter 5 and, in a terrifying moment, realised that *this* is the complete sum of the last 43~ months of my life
#phdlife
#phdlife
And now to @kevinlinch.bsky.social about the Georgian Army Officers project! Genuinely such a worthwhile piece of work, and a practical tool that I've already been able to make good use of
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
April 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
And now to @kevinlinch.bsky.social about the Georgian Army Officers project! Genuinely such a worthwhile piece of work, and a practical tool that I've already been able to make good use of
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
Thoroughly enjoyed @1812andallthat.bsky.social speaking about Shadrack Byfield - lots of food for thought!
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
April 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed @1812andallthat.bsky.social speaking about Shadrack Byfield - lots of food for thought!
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
Very excitedto hear as @beatricedegraaf.bsky.social kicks off the #WellingtonCongress2025
April 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Very excitedto hear as @beatricedegraaf.bsky.social kicks off the #WellingtonCongress2025
Bidding adieu to @harchivestrust.bsky.social as I head towards Southampton. A brief but helpful visit, and inspires another reminder from me to go and use these resources! Local archives are just amazing
April 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Bidding adieu to @harchivestrust.bsky.social as I head towards Southampton. A brief but helpful visit, and inspires another reminder from me to go and use these resources! Local archives are just amazing
Hmmm delicious research @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy #phdlife
April 2, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Hmmm delicious research @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy #phdlife
@graemecallister.bsky.social introducing @zwhitehistory.bsky.social on the EIC army, featuring an incredibly raised eyebrow
March 11, 2025 at 6:07 PM
@graemecallister.bsky.social introducing @zwhitehistory.bsky.social on the EIC army, featuring an incredibly raised eyebrow
January 1, 2025 at 1:31 AM
People in 2024: *selfies with singers and actors*
Me in 2024: *selfies with Diderot's Encyclopédie and the Cassini Map of France*
Very impressed by the @sciencemuseumldn.bsky.social's Versailles #scienceandsplendour exhibition!
#notlikeothertourists
Me in 2024: *selfies with Diderot's Encyclopédie and the Cassini Map of France*
Very impressed by the @sciencemuseumldn.bsky.social's Versailles #scienceandsplendour exhibition!
#notlikeothertourists
December 28, 2024 at 12:17 PM
People in 2024: *selfies with singers and actors*
Me in 2024: *selfies with Diderot's Encyclopédie and the Cassini Map of France*
Very impressed by the @sciencemuseumldn.bsky.social's Versailles #scienceandsplendour exhibition!
#notlikeothertourists
Me in 2024: *selfies with Diderot's Encyclopédie and the Cassini Map of France*
Very impressed by the @sciencemuseumldn.bsky.social's Versailles #scienceandsplendour exhibition!
#notlikeothertourists
Well that's some fun news!
My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968...
I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors.
/1
My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968...
I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors.
/1
December 19, 2024 at 1:33 PM
Well that's some fun news!
My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968...
I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors.
/1
My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968...
I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors.
/1
Want to come and hear about the 1939 Polish Military Mission from @silenceinpolish.bsky.social? Or about desertion in the army of King James II from @markshearwood.bsky.social? Or maternity in the #21stC British army from @sjolley.bsky.social?
Tickets still available, for both in-person and online
Tickets still available, for both in-person and online
December 11, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Want to come and hear about the 1939 Polish Military Mission from @silenceinpolish.bsky.social? Or about desertion in the army of King James II from @markshearwood.bsky.social? Or maternity in the #21stC British army from @sjolley.bsky.social?
Tickets still available, for both in-person and online
Tickets still available, for both in-person and online
Absolutely amazing to be back in Canterbury to speak to the @universityofkent.bsky.social History Society about UK home defence, national identity, & military service in the #FrenchRevWars!
And now back to the usual service of #phdlife: writing my thesis, and procrastinating from writing my thesis
And now back to the usual service of #phdlife: writing my thesis, and procrastinating from writing my thesis
December 3, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Absolutely amazing to be back in Canterbury to speak to the @universityofkent.bsky.social History Society about UK home defence, national identity, & military service in the #FrenchRevWars!
And now back to the usual service of #phdlife: writing my thesis, and procrastinating from writing my thesis
And now back to the usual service of #phdlife: writing my thesis, and procrastinating from writing my thesis
If you're looking for a christmas present idea, why not give the history nerd in your life an amazing February weekend in Leeds?
Tickets for the @societyarmy.bsky.social research conference available now!
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/history/even...
#18c #c18 #19c #c19 #20c
Tickets for the @societyarmy.bsky.social research conference available now!
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/history/even...
#18c #c18 #19c #c19 #20c
December 2, 2024 at 3:32 PM
If you're looking for a christmas present idea, why not give the history nerd in your life an amazing February weekend in Leeds?
Tickets for the @societyarmy.bsky.social research conference available now!
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/history/even...
#18c #c18 #19c #c19 #20c
Tickets for the @societyarmy.bsky.social research conference available now!
ahc.leeds.ac.uk/history/even...
#18c #c18 #19c #c19 #20c
And just before I say auf wiedersen to Bavaria (since I'm in the airport and it'd be rude not to) I thought I'd end my coverage of #playingwar24 with yours truly!
Genuinely such an incredible experience: met some amazing scholars, drank some amazing beer, and failed amazingly at speaking german
Genuinely such an incredible experience: met some amazing scholars, drank some amazing beer, and failed amazingly at speaking german
November 29, 2024 at 8:13 PM
And just before I say auf wiedersen to Bavaria (since I'm in the airport and it'd be rude not to) I thought I'd end my coverage of #playingwar24 with yours truly!
Genuinely such an incredible experience: met some amazing scholars, drank some amazing beer, and failed amazingly at speaking german
Genuinely such an incredible experience: met some amazing scholars, drank some amazing beer, and failed amazingly at speaking german
And a really interesting discussion of the need for increased economic factors within wargames modelling from @pijusk.bsky.social
November 29, 2024 at 8:36 AM
And a really interesting discussion of the need for increased economic factors within wargames modelling from @pijusk.bsky.social
November 29, 2024 at 8:06 AM
Followed by discussion of depictions of genocide within the game by @pietervdheede.bsky.social!
#playingwar24
#playingwar24
November 28, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Followed by discussion of depictions of genocide within the game by @pietervdheede.bsky.social!
#playingwar24
#playingwar24
I know a great many of my friends will be jealous that these wonderful academics get to talk about a strategy game at a conference. Shoutout to Dr Christin Hansen & Julia Quast for presenting an amazing insight into gender and #playingwar
November 28, 2024 at 1:11 PM
I know a great many of my friends will be jealous that these wonderful academics get to talk about a strategy game at a conference. Shoutout to Dr Christin Hansen & Julia Quast for presenting an amazing insight into gender and #playingwar