Alexander Courtney
@dralexcourtney.bsky.social
#Earlymodern historian | FRHistS | IHR Fellow
📚James VI, Britannic Prince (Routledge, 2024) | James VI & I: Kingship, Government & Religion (2025) | Co-editor: Mary Queen of Scots’ Lost Letters (forthcoming, Routledge)
https://bio.site/alexandercourtney
📚James VI, Britannic Prince (Routledge, 2024) | James VI & I: Kingship, Government & Religion (2025) | Co-editor: Mary Queen of Scots’ Lost Letters (forthcoming, Routledge)
https://bio.site/alexandercourtney
Pinned
James VI, Britannic Prince: King of Scots and Elizabeth’s Heir, 1566–1603
By drawing upon recent scholarship, original manuscript materials, and previously unpublished sources, this new biography presents an analytical narrative of King James VI & I’s life from his birth in...
www.routledge.com
‘This remarkable book is a gripping account of a child-monarch becoming a man… a major contribution not only to Scottish and British History but to our understanding of the geopolitics of Europe in an age of turmoil.'
#earlymodern #JamesVI #ScottishHistory
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
#earlymodern #JamesVI #ScottishHistory
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
BBC Two tonight at 9 (and on iPlayer)… A little cameo for Basilikon Doron and @theulspeccoll.bsky.social
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
November 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
BBC Two tonight at 9 (and on iPlayer)… A little cameo for Basilikon Doron and @theulspeccoll.bsky.social
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
Fantastic @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social interview with @witchykallestrup.bsky.social about The Construction of #Witchcraft in #EarlyModern #Denmark @routledgebooks.bsky.social #skystorians This is how you write a book and take an interview! #BookSky📚💙
newbooksnetwork.com/the-construc...
newbooksnetwork.com/the-construc...
November 2, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Fantastic @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social interview with @witchykallestrup.bsky.social about The Construction of #Witchcraft in #EarlyModern #Denmark @routledgebooks.bsky.social #skystorians This is how you write a book and take an interview! #BookSky📚💙
newbooksnetwork.com/the-construc...
newbooksnetwork.com/the-construc...
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
(reminder) and 'American English' version (@davidveevers.bsky.social ) on Wednesday, 22 October, at 8 am EDT 😁
October 19, 2025 at 11:49 AM
(reminder) and 'American English' version (@davidveevers.bsky.social ) on Wednesday, 22 October, at 8 am EDT 😁
A pleasure to speak on Mary Stuart’s secret letters on BBC Radio Scotland this morning (though briefly).
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
October 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
A pleasure to speak on Mary Stuart’s secret letters on BBC Radio Scotland this morning (though briefly).
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
Tonight, 9pm on BBC Scotland & Monday 20/10, 9pm on BBC Two: ‘The Secret Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots’.
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
October 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Tonight, 9pm on BBC Scotland & Monday 20/10, 9pm on BBC Two: ‘The Secret Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots’.
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
Most watched 🥳
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
October 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Most watched 🥳
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
Coming soon on @pbs.org : Cracking the Queen’s Code
22 October
#SecretsOfTheDead
#EarlyModern #History #MaryQueenofScots
youtu.be/lOvLU47e9vc
22 October
#SecretsOfTheDead
#EarlyModern #History #MaryQueenofScots
youtu.be/lOvLU47e9vc
Secrets of the Dead Returns to PBS | October 2025
YouTube video by Secrets of the Dead PBS
youtu.be
October 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Coming soon on @pbs.org : Cracking the Queen’s Code
22 October
#SecretsOfTheDead
#EarlyModern #History #MaryQueenofScots
youtu.be/lOvLU47e9vc
22 October
#SecretsOfTheDead
#EarlyModern #History #MaryQueenofScots
youtu.be/lOvLU47e9vc
📣 A regarder ce soir sur ARTE !!!
Le documentaire passionant d’Augustin Viatte sur la découverte des lettres codées de Marie Stuart @labnf.bsky.social
@artefr.bsky.social @royalstudies.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #StuartSaturday #ScotsHistory
www.lemonde.fr/culture/arti...
Le documentaire passionant d’Augustin Viatte sur la découverte des lettres codées de Marie Stuart @labnf.bsky.social
@artefr.bsky.social @royalstudies.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #StuartSaturday #ScotsHistory
www.lemonde.fr/culture/arti...
A regarder ce soir : « Marie Stuart, l’énigme des lettres codées » sur Arte
Le documentaire relate comment trois « codebreakers » ont décrypté les correspondances de la reine maudite après sa mort. Une grande aventure du déchiffrement.
www.lemonde.fr
September 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
📣 A regarder ce soir sur ARTE !!!
Le documentaire passionant d’Augustin Viatte sur la découverte des lettres codées de Marie Stuart @labnf.bsky.social
@artefr.bsky.social @royalstudies.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #StuartSaturday #ScotsHistory
www.lemonde.fr/culture/arti...
Le documentaire passionant d’Augustin Viatte sur la découverte des lettres codées de Marie Stuart @labnf.bsky.social
@artefr.bsky.social @royalstudies.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #StuartSaturday #ScotsHistory
www.lemonde.fr/culture/arti...
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
Seuls des rois de la cryptanalyse pouvaient percer le mystère des lettres codées d'une reine ✍️
September 23, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Seuls des rois de la cryptanalyse pouvaient percer le mystère des lettres codées d'une reine ✍️
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
The wonderful documentary of my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s discovery and decipherment of #MaryQueenofScots lost letters.
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
📝 Sur @artefr.bsky.social le 27.09 / déjà en ligne : le doc "Marie Stuart, l'énigme des lettres codées" d’Augustin Viatte retrace le destin tragique de "la reine maudite" et l'aventure palpitante du décryptage de sa correspondance secrète. #Histoire
Marie Stuart, l’énigme des lettres codées - Regarder le documentaire complet | ARTE
Début 2023, trois "casseurs de code" amateurs annoncent avoir retrouvé et déchiffré une cinquantaine de missives de Marie Stuart. Ce documentaire retrace en parallèle le destin tragique de la reine d’...
www.arte.tv
September 22, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The wonderful documentary of my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s discovery and decipherment of #MaryQueenofScots lost letters.
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
The wonderful documentary of my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s discovery and decipherment of #MaryQueenofScots lost letters.
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
📝 Sur @artefr.bsky.social le 27.09 / déjà en ligne : le doc "Marie Stuart, l'énigme des lettres codées" d’Augustin Viatte retrace le destin tragique de "la reine maudite" et l'aventure palpitante du décryptage de sa correspondance secrète. #Histoire
Marie Stuart, l’énigme des lettres codées - Regarder le documentaire complet | ARTE
Début 2023, trois "casseurs de code" amateurs annoncent avoir retrouvé et déchiffré une cinquantaine de missives de Marie Stuart. Ce documentaire retrace en parallèle le destin tragique de la reine d’...
www.arte.tv
September 22, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The wonderful documentary of my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s discovery and decipherment of #MaryQueenofScots lost letters.
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
Beautifully crafted by writer and director Augustin Viatte.
On @artefr.bsky.social online now and on TV 🇫🇷🇩🇪 27 September.👇
#earlymodern #history
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
New podcast episode available in French! Join our host @vic-de-valois.bsky.social and guest speaker Fanny Giraudier as they discuss the "Violence à la cour française" conference.
Listen here or on your favourite podcast platform : www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
Listen here or on your favourite podcast platform : www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
September 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
New podcast episode available in French! Join our host @vic-de-valois.bsky.social and guest speaker Fanny Giraudier as they discuss the "Violence à la cour française" conference.
Listen here or on your favourite podcast platform : www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
Listen here or on your favourite podcast platform : www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
📣Calling all new research students in history & historical subjects. Do you want to learn how the IHR can help you during your studies?
Join us on the 8 October to find out more.
@royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social
bit.ly/41UPOyG
Join us on the 8 October to find out more.
@royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social
bit.ly/41UPOyG
September 15, 2025 at 8:42 AM
📣Calling all new research students in history & historical subjects. Do you want to learn how the IHR can help you during your studies?
Join us on the 8 October to find out more.
@royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social
bit.ly/41UPOyG
Join us on the 8 October to find out more.
@royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social
bit.ly/41UPOyG
It’s wonderful public interest in James VI & I’s life and reign is rising, AND that readers can turn to several new books about him.📚
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
September 14, 2025 at 11:07 AM
It’s wonderful public interest in James VI & I’s life and reign is rising, AND that readers can turn to several new books about him.📚
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
James VI of Scotland became Elizabeth’s successor peacefully and was welcomed into England, people’s ‘eyes flaming nothing but sparks of affection’ towards him (as he put it).
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
September 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
James VI of Scotland became Elizabeth’s successor peacefully and was welcomed into England, people’s ‘eyes flaming nothing but sparks of affection’ towards him (as he put it).
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
Did the dying Elizabeth I signal that she approved of James VI as her successor? Who knows?! What matters is the story’s meaning.
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
September 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Did the dying Elizabeth I signal that she approved of James VI as her successor? Who knows?! What matters is the story’s meaning.
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Q. Who had the strongest claim to succeed Elizabeth I? Answer: James VI (as was widely accepted at the time).
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Q. Who had the strongest claim to succeed Elizabeth I? Answer: James VI (as was widely accepted at the time).
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Excited to share that I’ve been elected to an IHR Fellowship! ☺️
I have been supported by, and have learnt so much from, many #earlymodern scholars
@ihr.bsky.social over the years.
I’m thrilled now to have the opportunity to join the Institute and contribute to its work in this way.
I have been supported by, and have learnt so much from, many #earlymodern scholars
@ihr.bsky.social over the years.
I’m thrilled now to have the opportunity to join the Institute and contribute to its work in this way.
August 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Excited to share that I’ve been elected to an IHR Fellowship! ☺️
I have been supported by, and have learnt so much from, many #earlymodern scholars
@ihr.bsky.social over the years.
I’m thrilled now to have the opportunity to join the Institute and contribute to its work in this way.
I have been supported by, and have learnt so much from, many #earlymodern scholars
@ihr.bsky.social over the years.
I’m thrilled now to have the opportunity to join the Institute and contribute to its work in this way.
Marie Stuart, l’énigme des lettres codées
Prochainement sur ARTE:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8v6...
#MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #Stuarts #history
Prochainement sur ARTE:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8v6...
#MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #Stuarts #history
Marie Stuart, l'énigme des lettres codées | Documentaire | ARTE
YouTube video by ARTE Presse
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Marie Stuart, l’énigme des lettres codées
Prochainement sur ARTE:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8v6...
#MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #Stuarts #history
Prochainement sur ARTE:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8v6...
#MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #Stuarts #history
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
Many congratulations to my colleague Emily Vine on the publication of her first monograph! 🎉🥳
Emily expertly explores the crowded metropolis as a place where households of different faiths coexisted during a period of intense change (1605-1780).
#EarlyModern 🗃️
Emily expertly explores the crowded metropolis as a place where households of different faiths coexisted during a period of intense change (1605-1780).
#EarlyModern 🗃️
Delighted that the print copies of my first book 'Birth, Death, and Domestic Religion in early modern London', just published with @universitypress.cambridge.org, have arrived! 📚📚📚
August 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Many congratulations to my colleague Emily Vine on the publication of her first monograph! 🎉🥳
Emily expertly explores the crowded metropolis as a place where households of different faiths coexisted during a period of intense change (1605-1780).
#EarlyModern 🗃️
Emily expertly explores the crowded metropolis as a place where households of different faiths coexisted during a period of intense change (1605-1780).
#EarlyModern 🗃️
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
Le 26 août à 21h sur France 2 !
Tuer au nom de Dieu, un film de Hugues Nancy, librement inspiré de Tous ceux qui tombent !
Tuer au nom de Dieu, un film de Hugues Nancy, librement inspiré de Tous ceux qui tombent !
August 6, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Le 26 août à 21h sur France 2 !
Tuer au nom de Dieu, un film de Hugues Nancy, librement inspiré de Tous ceux qui tombent !
Tuer au nom de Dieu, un film de Hugues Nancy, librement inspiré de Tous ceux qui tombent !
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
Just under a week left to apply to join us as the FCJ postdoc at @durhamtheology.bsky.social in the new academic year! #skystorians #CathHist #history #Catholicism #nuntastic #jobalert
History of Catholicism job klaxon! Come and join us at @durhamtheology.bsky.social to work on a #nuntastic post-doc project about the Faithful Companions of Jesus. Application deadline is 27 July. More info here: durham.taleo.net/careersection/…#skystoriansn#catholicismsm @eccleshistsoc.bsky.social
July 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Just under a week left to apply to join us as the FCJ postdoc at @durhamtheology.bsky.social in the new academic year! #skystorians #CathHist #history #Catholicism #nuntastic #jobalert
On the trail of James VI & I… and the (no longer) lost letters of Mary, Queen of Scots…🔍🦄👑
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
July 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
On the trail of James VI & I… and the (no longer) lost letters of Mary, Queen of Scots…🔍🦄👑
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
The Royal Historical Society is a fellowship of professional historians. We welcome applications from historians working in education and many other sectors.
Fellows make original contributions to historical understanding through research, public history and heritage bit.ly/4iOu51g #Skystorians
Fellows make original contributions to historical understanding through research, public history and heritage bit.ly/4iOu51g #Skystorians
July 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The Royal Historical Society is a fellowship of professional historians. We welcome applications from historians working in education and many other sectors.
Fellows make original contributions to historical understanding through research, public history and heritage bit.ly/4iOu51g #Skystorians
Fellows make original contributions to historical understanding through research, public history and heritage bit.ly/4iOu51g #Skystorians
Reposted by Alexander Courtney
Our Associate Fellowship category is for those at an earlier stage their research careers - for example, completion of a #History PhD - or History professionals (teachers, curators, archivists etc.) who make research possible.
Applications are welcome at any time bit.ly/44r8NTg #Skystorians
Applications are welcome at any time bit.ly/44r8NTg #Skystorians
July 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Our Associate Fellowship category is for those at an earlier stage their research careers - for example, completion of a #History PhD - or History professionals (teachers, curators, archivists etc.) who make research possible.
Applications are welcome at any time bit.ly/44r8NTg #Skystorians
Applications are welcome at any time bit.ly/44r8NTg #Skystorians