Brodie Waddell
@brodiewaddell.bsky.social
Early Modern History at Birkbeck, University of London | Likes: archives, fatherhood, footnotes, the seaside. | Dislikes: Henry VIII, cars, inequity. My research: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/8004317/brodie-waddell
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Brodie Waddell
@brodiewaddell.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Welcome new followers! I'm a historian of #EarlyModern England at @bbkhistorical.bsky.social, currently working on two projects: the #PowerOfPetitioning (petitioning.history.ac.uk) and the #WrittenWorlds of non-elite writers (writtenworlds.org). 🗃️
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
'I would set off, with some sense of what I might be looking for, and see what I stumbled across...'
Is going for a walk a valid methodology for a historian? And if so, how much theory do you need to read before you start?
Some thoughts in my latest blog post:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
Is going for a walk a valid methodology for a historian? And if so, how much theory do you need to read before you start?
Some thoughts in my latest blog post:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
Is Walking Research? A Methodological Ramble
Mark HailwoodI needed to try something to get me writing again. Blessed with a period of research leave to resume work on my book – Everyday Life in the Seventeenth Century English Village &#…
manyheadedmonster.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:51 AM
'I would set off, with some sense of what I might be looking for, and see what I stumbled across...'
Is going for a walk a valid methodology for a historian? And if so, how much theory do you need to read before you start?
Some thoughts in my latest blog post:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
Is going for a walk a valid methodology for a historian? And if so, how much theory do you need to read before you start?
Some thoughts in my latest blog post:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
Violent Waters: Environmental Politics in Early Modern England is out now with Cambridge University Press: www.cambridge.org/core/books/v...
This watery, riotous book has been more than a decade in the making, and I'm delighted to see it out in the world to live its own life!
This watery, riotous book has been more than a decade in the making, and I'm delighted to see it out in the world to live its own life!
February 13, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Violent Waters: Environmental Politics in Early Modern England is out now with Cambridge University Press: www.cambridge.org/core/books/v...
This watery, riotous book has been more than a decade in the making, and I'm delighted to see it out in the world to live its own life!
This watery, riotous book has been more than a decade in the making, and I'm delighted to see it out in the world to live its own life!
I've just done my democratic duty by voting in the @ucu.org.uk elections, casting my vote for @markpendleton.bsky.social and mostly @ucucommons.org folks. Less than one in five members usually vote, so your ballot can make a huge difference in ensuring your union represents its members' views.
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 AM
I've just done my democratic duty by voting in the @ucu.org.uk elections, casting my vote for @markpendleton.bsky.social and mostly @ucucommons.org folks. Less than one in five members usually vote, so your ballot can make a huge difference in ensuring your union represents its members' views.
Yes, probably one to recommend to your nearest research library, rather than for private purchase...
February 13, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Yes, probably one to recommend to your nearest research library, rather than for private purchase...
I had a very similar feeling when I first found out about Elly's work! I'll never be an environmental historian, but I'm glad I get to learn about it second hand.
February 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
I had a very similar feeling when I first found out about Elly's work! I'll never be an environmental historian, but I'm glad I get to learn about it second hand.
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
The last Parliament of Bears in England was held in 490 AD. However, the date of the last Parliament of Ghost Bears is much contested and a sure way to start an argument in a tavern. - #CLNolan, BBC National Programme talk, 1934
February 11, 2026 at 3:15 PM
The last Parliament of Bears in England was held in 490 AD. However, the date of the last Parliament of Ghost Bears is much contested and a sure way to start an argument in a tavern. - #CLNolan, BBC National Programme talk, 1934
Hmm. As a BCer I haven't been terribly impressed with the height of English trees.
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Hmm. As a BCer I haven't been terribly impressed with the height of English trees.
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
Penguin's version of European history is quite the sausage fest.
February 11, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Penguin's version of European history is quite the sausage fest.
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
📢FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL HISTORY📢
❓Celebration of 50 years of the Social History Society
📅 Fri 24 April
📍 Senate House, London
🫰£30 (£10 non members)
Join us for panel discussion, stalls & tours, plus keynote from Prof. Naomi Tadmor.
🗃️ #EarlyModern
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
❓Celebration of 50 years of the Social History Society
📅 Fri 24 April
📍 Senate House, London
🫰£30 (£10 non members)
Join us for panel discussion, stalls & tours, plus keynote from Prof. Naomi Tadmor.
🗃️ #EarlyModern
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
Festival of Social History
To celebrate 50 years of the Social History Society, we’ve teamed up with the Institute of Historical Research to host a Social History Festival! The festival will feature two expert discussion pan…
socialhistory.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 9:08 AM
📢FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL HISTORY📢
❓Celebration of 50 years of the Social History Society
📅 Fri 24 April
📍 Senate House, London
🫰£30 (£10 non members)
Join us for panel discussion, stalls & tours, plus keynote from Prof. Naomi Tadmor.
🗃️ #EarlyModern
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
❓Celebration of 50 years of the Social History Society
📅 Fri 24 April
📍 Senate House, London
🫰£30 (£10 non members)
Join us for panel discussion, stalls & tours, plus keynote from Prof. Naomi Tadmor.
🗃️ #EarlyModern
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
*Violent Waters: Environmental Politics in Early Modern England*
An important new book from @ellydezateux.bsky.social shows 'how environments were politically constructed and contested, and how environmental concerns inflected politics'. 🗃️
Cambridge UP: www.cambridge.org/core/books/v...
An important new book from @ellydezateux.bsky.social shows 'how environments were politically constructed and contested, and how environmental concerns inflected politics'. 🗃️
Cambridge UP: www.cambridge.org/core/books/v...
February 11, 2026 at 9:17 AM
*Violent Waters: Environmental Politics in Early Modern England*
An important new book from @ellydezateux.bsky.social shows 'how environments were politically constructed and contested, and how environmental concerns inflected politics'. 🗃️
Cambridge UP: www.cambridge.org/core/books/v...
An important new book from @ellydezateux.bsky.social shows 'how environments were politically constructed and contested, and how environmental concerns inflected politics'. 🗃️
Cambridge UP: www.cambridge.org/core/books/v...
There's a bit more about the Written Worlds project here, though we are long overdue for an update: writtenworlds.org
Written Worlds
Non-elite Writing in Seventeenth-Century England
writtenworlds.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:47 PM
There's a bit more about the Written Worlds project here, though we are long overdue for an update: writtenworlds.org
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
In this blog post, Richard Ansell (Birkbeck, University of London) discusses how the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH) is contributing to his research on non-elite travel writing as part of ‘Written Worlds: Non-Elite Writing in Seventeenth-Century England’
Non-Elite Travel Writing and the Bibliography of British and Irish History - On History
In this blog post, Richard Ansell (Birkbeck, University of London) discusses several ways that the Bibliography of British and Irish History is contributing to his research on non-elite travel…
blog.history.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 12:01 PM
In this blog post, Richard Ansell (Birkbeck, University of London) discusses how the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH) is contributing to his research on non-elite travel writing as part of ‘Written Worlds: Non-Elite Writing in Seventeenth-Century England’
How much can trudging through a muddy field help with historical research? 🗃️
@markhailwood.bsky.social sets out to answer this important question by ... trudging through a muddy field and then writing a blog post about it:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
@markhailwood.bsky.social sets out to answer this important question by ... trudging through a muddy field and then writing a blog post about it:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
February 10, 2026 at 9:14 AM
How much can trudging through a muddy field help with historical research? 🗃️
@markhailwood.bsky.social sets out to answer this important question by ... trudging through a muddy field and then writing a blog post about it:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
@markhailwood.bsky.social sets out to answer this important question by ... trudging through a muddy field and then writing a blog post about it:
manyheadedmonster.com/2026/02/10/i...
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
I'm delighted to be taking part in the Festival of Social History at Senate House in April.
With Professor Naomi Tadmor giving a keynote, my own panel on sources of social history, and plenty of time for discussion and interaction it will be great day.
Do join us! 🗃️
With Professor Naomi Tadmor giving a keynote, my own panel on sources of social history, and plenty of time for discussion and interaction it will be great day.
Do join us! 🗃️
📣Bookings now open!
👉Celebrating 50 years of the Social History Society with our 'Festival of Social History' @ihr.bsky.social
Panels, zine-making stall, tours, lunch, a roundtable, & keynote by Naomi Tadmor
📅 24 Apr 2026
💷 from £10 for members
All welcome!
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
👉Celebrating 50 years of the Social History Society with our 'Festival of Social History' @ihr.bsky.social
Panels, zine-making stall, tours, lunch, a roundtable, & keynote by Naomi Tadmor
📅 24 Apr 2026
💷 from £10 for members
All welcome!
socialhistory.org.uk/events/festi...
Festival of Social History
To celebrate 50 years of the Social History Society, we’ve teamed up with the Institute of Historical Research to host a Social History Festival! The festival will feature two expert discussion pan…
socialhistory.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I'm delighted to be taking part in the Festival of Social History at Senate House in April.
With Professor Naomi Tadmor giving a keynote, my own panel on sources of social history, and plenty of time for discussion and interaction it will be great day.
Do join us! 🗃️
With Professor Naomi Tadmor giving a keynote, my own panel on sources of social history, and plenty of time for discussion and interaction it will be great day.
Do join us! 🗃️
My favorite bit is that the horse is there because they original had Toussaint Louverture on his horse, but the IOC forbids 'political' images, so they cut him out but left his iconic horse.
www.essence.com/news/haiti-w...
www.essence.com/news/haiti-w...
Haiti’s Winter Olympic Uniforms Are Breaking The Internet | Essence
Although the International Olympic Committee flagged an issue with the political nature of the uniform, Stella Jean’s designs are stunning.
www.essence.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:52 PM
My favorite bit is that the horse is there because they original had Toussaint Louverture on his horse, but the IOC forbids 'political' images, so they cut him out but left his iconic horse.
www.essence.com/news/haiti-w...
www.essence.com/news/haiti-w...
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
Just a reminder ... tomorrow at 5.30 pm, Holly Fletcher (@drhollyfletcher.bsky.social) will be speaking on 'The Fats of Life in the Early Modern World, 1500-1750: Matter in Multispecies Medicine' ✨ Sign up at: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... (In-person, IHR Wolfson Room NB02, all are welcome!)
The Fats of Life in the Early Modern World, 1500-1750: Matter in Multispecies Medicine
www.history.ac.uk
February 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Just a reminder ... tomorrow at 5.30 pm, Holly Fletcher (@drhollyfletcher.bsky.social) will be speaking on 'The Fats of Life in the Early Modern World, 1500-1750: Matter in Multispecies Medicine' ✨ Sign up at: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... (In-person, IHR Wolfson Room NB02, all are welcome!)
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
My new article, 'Selling Education in England, 1650-1715' is now out (open access) in the English Historical Review! academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
Selling Education in England, 1650–1715*
Abstract. In the period 1650–1715, a growing consensus emerged that educational culture in England did not meet the needs of the population, and that chang
academic.oup.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:27 AM
My new article, 'Selling Education in England, 1650-1715' is now out (open access) in the English Historical Review! academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
Last week I completed my perambulation of the parish boundaries of Portishead, my hometown and main case study in my ongoing book project on 'Everyday Life in a 17thC Village'. I started by going back up the down to the Windmill Inn where I left off last time - and spotted a ship in the channel...
February 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Last week I completed my perambulation of the parish boundaries of Portishead, my hometown and main case study in my ongoing book project on 'Everyday Life in a 17thC Village'. I started by going back up the down to the Windmill Inn where I left off last time - and spotted a ship in the channel...
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
18 month postdoc at the lovely IHR in London, $41,740. Deadline 7 March. 'The Fellow will play a key role within the IHR team responsible for hosting the 2027 North American Conference in British Studies (NACBS)' in London 2027.
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Jacob Price Fellowship in British Studies (18 month FTC):London Senate House - Hybrid
The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 9:07 AM
18 month postdoc at the lovely IHR in London, $41,740. Deadline 7 March. 'The Fellow will play a key role within the IHR team responsible for hosting the 2027 North American Conference in British Studies (NACBS)' in London 2027.
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
And later this term, we'll be hosting ‘Whose Middle Ages?’, the Annual Birkbeck Medieval Seminar, with Daniel Sawyer, Rebecca Menmuir, Olenka Pevny, George Bartlett. More information about the event and booking here: www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
February 3, 2026 at 10:28 AM
And later this term, we'll be hosting ‘Whose Middle Ages?’, the Annual Birkbeck Medieval Seminar, with Daniel Sawyer, Rebecca Menmuir, Olenka Pevny, George Bartlett. More information about the event and booking here: www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
‘Tasting History: Researching and Experiencing the Development of the Cheese Trade’, with @cheesetastingco.bsky.social and @cheeseandpeople.bsky.social, hosted by Birkbeck's Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Feb 24th!
Register here: www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
Register here: www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
February 3, 2026 at 10:23 AM
‘Tasting History: Researching and Experiencing the Development of the Cheese Trade’, with @cheesetastingco.bsky.social and @cheeseandpeople.bsky.social, hosted by Birkbeck's Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Feb 24th!
Register here: www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
Register here: www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
Ooh look! @sharonhoward.bsky.social has updated and expanded the visualisations for the #PowerOfPetitioning material that we transcribed and published on @bho.bsky.social a few years ago. 🗃️📜
Very pretty pictures! 👀 the-power-of-petitioning.github.io
Very pretty pictures! 👀 the-power-of-petitioning.github.io
February 2, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Ooh look! @sharonhoward.bsky.social has updated and expanded the visualisations for the #PowerOfPetitioning material that we transcribed and published on @bho.bsky.social a few years ago. 🗃️📜
Very pretty pictures! 👀 the-power-of-petitioning.github.io
Very pretty pictures! 👀 the-power-of-petitioning.github.io
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
Honestly thought this was a nice, quite legible hand! Maybe it's all the 18C hands I've been staring at this month.
This prompts me to make a short 🧵 about recent thoughts about handwriting and palaeography: (1/11)
This prompts me to make a short 🧵 about recent thoughts about handwriting and palaeography: (1/11)
I decided to take a break from reading (about) Aquinas's handwriting to open some mail that had been accumulating on my hall table. And lo: a card from one of my three most paleographically challenging friends, a buddy from textual criticism class long ago. It says... 🧵
February 1, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Honestly thought this was a nice, quite legible hand! Maybe it's all the 18C hands I've been staring at this month.
This prompts me to make a short 🧵 about recent thoughts about handwriting and palaeography: (1/11)
This prompts me to make a short 🧵 about recent thoughts about handwriting and palaeography: (1/11)
Reposted by Brodie Waddell
I am losing my mind
February 1, 2026 at 10:18 PM
I am losing my mind