Jennie Batchelor

@jenniebatchelor.bsky.social

6.2K followers 1.3K following 800 posts

Academic (#c18th century #literature) and Head and Prof of English and Related Literature at the Uni of York working on periodicals, media, women writers, material culture, dress history. Writer. Crafter. #SEND parent. Coffee Lover. .. more

Videos

Art 27%

History 23%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Pinned

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Sep 12

Book selfie! So pleased to have been part of Encounters with Jane Austen which out in just a few days from @aurorametro.bsky.social . It had been terrific to work with the brilliant Cheryl Robson and to be in such stellar contributor company. Find out more here: www.aurorametro.com/product/enco...

A picture of me ( a woman with glasses and smile) holding a copy of a book entitled Encounters with Jane Austen beating a picture of Jane Austen sites on a pink backround

Top paragraph of my introduction to the book featuring a long quotation from Northanger Abbey that criticises those who decry novels

The title page of the book listing Jennie Batchelor as the author of the introduction and Cheryl Robson as compiled and editor

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks, Bob!

Reposted by Charles West, Greg Walker, Jennie Batchelor

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 5d

"In an era where the authentic written word is under threat....English isn't just about reading the past--it's about understanding the power of words and narratives in the present and future and giving our students the skills to successfully navigate the world".

True of all UK English programmes.

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 5d

Today the Sunday Times discusses the decline in students studying A-level and beyond. I believe this is reversible. I believe it is necessary. And I’m glad to have some of my words on the importance of the discipline and the vibrancy of our degrees in English at York in the article.

Reposted by Charles West, Greg Walker, Margot C. Finn , and 1 more Charles West, Greg Walker, Margot C. Finn, Rory Loughnane

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 5d

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 7d

Really enjoyed this article by Emily Wells, New Discoveries: Paper Gardens: A Collection of Needlework Patterns Drawn by Lady Jean Skipwith | The MESDA Journal url:https://www.mesdajournal.org/2025/new-discoveries-paper-gardens-a-collection-of-needlework-patterns-drawn-by-lady-jean-skipwith/ 1/

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 8d

Thank you so much, Sophie!

Reposted by Jennie Batchelor

Jane Austen Summer Program @janeaustensummer.bsky.social · 9d

It's 12 days of Jane Austen! We're counting down to the end of our Kickstarter campaign! Due to loss of NEH funding, we're raising $9,000 to add music to Jane Austen's Desk, our award winning digital platform. For more info and to donate visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/jan...

Reposted by Jennie Batchelor

Tita Chico @titachico.bsky.social · 9d

I adored the exhibition and wrote about it for @bsecs.bsky.social *Criticks* this summer.

www.bsecs.org.uk/criticks-rev...

A Palimpsest of Country House Culture - Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter (Harewood House) - BSECS

These three players—Austen, Turner, Harewood—weave themselves in each gallery’s themes, bringing to our attention myriad resonances and surprises.

www.bsecs.org.uk

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 10d

Also for the Austen 250th, @chloewigstonsmith.bsky.social and I are thrilled our article about Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter is published today in a very special issue of Persuasions On-Line. Working on this exhibition was the highlight of my year. jasna.org/publications...

A watercolour of a woman with a black and grey gown (seated) facing away from the viewer. A man in a dark coat stands over her. JMW Turner, Two Figures (1827).

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 10d

Happy 250th, Jane. I love how the quote they chose from me in this piece (with many sound bites) in Spanish paper El Periodico is about her technical brilliance. I also like how my name and hers have been mangled together (Jannie Batchelor may be my new moniker): www.elperiodico.com/es/ocio-y-cu...

La ‘Austenmanía’ está más viva que nunca: los fans de Jane Austen vibran en el 250 aniversario de su nacimiento

La escritora inglesa ha logrado sobrevivir al paso del tiempo gracias no sólo a la brillantez de sus seis novelas, sino también a todo un universo audiovisual basado en sus obras

www.elperiodico.com

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 17d

Thank you!

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 17d

Thanks, Dave. Hope all’s well with you.

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 17d

You are very kind, Rose. Thank you so much!

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 17d

Thank you. Very kind and please take care of yourself. You’d think in the 13 years since my son’s birth I would have a harder shell. I will next week. Just not this one.

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 17d

I try not to talk about this much, but in case someone else needs to hear it… Being a carer to a loved one is incredibly hard physically and mentally and unbearable sometimes. Doing paid work on top of that can sometimes feel impossible no matter how much of a privilege it is to have the option.

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 22d

It’s been an age since posting. No particular reason except all round busyness. But this gorgeous Christmas gift from the wonderful @mikinski.bsky.social (scholar and 18th century baker extraordinaire) could not go undocumented! #christmas #janeausten

A tin full of yellow square biscuits on an Arts and Crafts red, golf and green tea towel

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Nov 14

Thank you for sharing your review, Sarah. I am so delighted to be part of this collection.

Reposted by Jennie Batchelor

Sarah Allison @sarahdallison.bsky.social · Nov 12

reviewed great collection on writers & new media in the 19C print culture sublime! ed and intro by alexis easley w essays by @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social & more!

in Review 19 --
www.review19.org/view_doc.php... & looking forward to talking about it at @navsa2025.bsky.social !!

BRITISH WRITERS, POPULAR LITERATURE AND NEW MEDIA INNOVATION, 1820-45 by Alexis Easley, ed., Reviewed by Sarah Allison

Review 19: Assessing New Books on English and American Literature of the Nineteenth Century

www.review19.org

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 27

But really, I (unapologetically) work on one thing: women’s work in the eighteenth century and to unearth women’s contributions to all of our histories. 3/3

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 27

Someone said to me recently, “You work on rather a lot of things: literary history, women writers, sewing and craft, book history, the eighteenth-century sex trades, education and so on”. I am not sure it was a compliment. 2/

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 27

Delighted to have received a text from a friend who saw the Beyond the Bonnets exhibition at the Winchester ARC, which (to my surprise) featured my published research on Susanna Sackree, who looked after the children of Jane Austen’s brother and later become the housekeeper of Godmersham Park. 1/

Exhibition label about Susanna Sackree who helped raise the children of Edward Knight, the brother of Jane Austen.

Leaflet for the exhibition “Beyond the Bonnets”, featuring a fashionably dressed woman in 1780s clothing with a massive hat

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 25

After a mad few weeks of work, I finally finished a couple of projects. One big and one small. The crochet craft bag was supposed to be a beginner’s project, but every one of the 36 granny squares, magic circles and mattress stitch joins tested this beginner. The sprig was much more my comfort zone.

A crocheted bag with blue squares each filled with a white daisy.

A floral sprig: three flower heads on a single stem. The petals are purple, the leaves green.

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 24

Couldn’t resist this almost disbound copy of the Lady’s Magazine for 1777. It has a map sampler pattern for the Americas I have desperately wanted for some time and I was worried this was going to be chopped up for its lovely plates. I hope “Ann Nickleson” would approve. This is her book.

A frontispiece and title page of the Lady’s Magazine for 1777. The frontispiece shows Minerva and a woman presenting the magazine to two young girls

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 17

Looks terrific, Meg. Congratulations!

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 17

Still pinching myself. Last night I talked about “Jane Austen, Her Writing and Her Craft” before a sold out crowd at Harewood House and enjoyed one last walk round of our exhibition Austen & Turner: A Country House Encounter. It was both wonderful and sad But all good things, as they say…

A long gallery filled with art work and plasterwork ceiling

A slide featuring a portrait of Jane Austen and a white worked shawl she embroidered

A picture of a woman in a black top looking into a mirror that reflects a gallery space filled with Turner’s art.

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall, Fabián Muniesa, Gillian Douglas , and 5 more Lesley A. Hall, Fabián Muniesa, Gillian Douglas, Margot C. Finn, Jennie Batchelor, Aileen Fyfe, Judith Jesch, Grant Macaskill

The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · Oct 16

Are you an established or senior researcher in the humanities and social sciences? Our British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships allow successful award-holders to concentrate on bringing a major piece of research to completion. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3VMeTZ9

Reposted by Jennie Batchelor

Dr Meg Kobza @fancyhistorian.bsky.social · Oct 16

PSA: I have now become THAT person who blabs on about pre-ordering her book. Tbf, it is 25% off online @waterstones.bsky.social w/code OCTOBER25 (only through Friday!) so you might as well treat yourself 💅🏻
#18thc #skystorians #history @yalepress.bsky.social

www.waterstones.com/book/the-mas...

The Masquerade by Meghan Kobza | Waterstones

Buy The Masquerade by Meghan Kobza from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 14

What a marvellous day in Bath with Strictly Jane Austen Tours, talking all things Austen and attending and helping out at an embroidery workshop led by Alison Larkin. #Austenat250

A picture of a woman with glasses and long blonde hair standing in front of a poster with men and women in Regency clothing

Copies of the book Jane Austen Embroidery on a table

A handkerchief with a half completed floral sprig design in green and purple

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 11

I remember meeting you! Thank you so much for your kind words. I will be participating again next year with a completely new round of talks. So happy to be part of it!

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 11

Excited for the week ahead. Not one but two talks to celebrate #Austen250. On Tuesday, I will be at the Gainsborough Hotel in Bath talking about Austen and women’s magazines. On Thursday, I will be at Harewood talking about Jane Austen’s Craft. Around that will be a lot of Head of Departmenting.

A picture of Regency costumes on display in the Old Library Harewood House with text describing a lecture by Batchelor entitled “Jane Austen, Her Writing and her Craft”

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · Oct 6

Today has been a long one. Nonetheless, I feel energised and humbled by the last meeting of today in which I joined the wonderful editorial team (and fellow editorial board members) of @abojournal.bsky.social for our annual meeting. ABO’s work and the work it supports are vital and outstanding!

Add to Home Screen

Light up
your news

Add to Home Screen

Light upyour news

Sign in to Lightnews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky

Light up
your news