Dr Fern Riddell
@drfernriddell.bsky.social
Historian. Author. On your TV/Radio.
**Victoria’s Secret: The Private Passion of a Queen OUT NOW**
Expert: Suffragette Terrorism, Music Hall, 19thC Sex + Culture, Queen Victoria & John Brown.
www.fernriddell.com
https://lnk.to/victoriassecretbook
**Victoria’s Secret: The Private Passion of a Queen OUT NOW**
Expert: Suffragette Terrorism, Music Hall, 19thC Sex + Culture, Queen Victoria & John Brown.
www.fernriddell.com
https://lnk.to/victoriassecretbook
Pinned
Victoria's Secret
Go to Victoria's Secret.
lnk.to
Thank you for the lovely reaction to ‘Queen Victoria: Secret Marriage, Secret Child?’. It’s not easy to distill a 140,000 word book into 58 mins, but Impossible Factual did a fantastic job. And if you want to know EVERYTHING I’ve found, Victoria’s Secret came out today: lnk.to/victoriassec...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
just to be clear there is SO MUCH precedent for arresting a senior royal. just not any precedent where it ends well for them
every British historian rn frantically trying to find examples of British royals being arrested that don’t end with their execution
February 19, 2026 at 10:49 AM
just to be clear there is SO MUCH precedent for arresting a senior royal. just not any precedent where it ends well for them
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
I only wish Virginia Giuffre could see this. I wish she had gotten justice in her lifetime instead of repeatedly being punished for seeking it.
February 19, 2026 at 3:19 PM
I only wish Virginia Giuffre could see this. I wish she had gotten justice in her lifetime instead of repeatedly being punished for seeking it.
Historians’ Favourite Royal Cover Ups KLAXON:
When Prince Ernest, Duke of Cumberland (& Queen Victoria’s Uncle) was accused of murdering his valet, Joseph Sellis, in 1810, the inquest found the man committed suicide, even tho…
When Prince Ernest, Duke of Cumberland (& Queen Victoria’s Uncle) was accused of murdering his valet, Joseph Sellis, in 1810, the inquest found the man committed suicide, even tho…
BBC reporting that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
There is no precedent for a senior member of the royal family being placed under arrest in modern British history. A seismic moment for the monarchy.
There is no precedent for a senior member of the royal family being placed under arrest in modern British history. A seismic moment for the monarchy.
February 19, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Historians’ Favourite Royal Cover Ups KLAXON:
When Prince Ernest, Duke of Cumberland (& Queen Victoria’s Uncle) was accused of murdering his valet, Joseph Sellis, in 1810, the inquest found the man committed suicide, even tho…
When Prince Ernest, Duke of Cumberland (& Queen Victoria’s Uncle) was accused of murdering his valet, Joseph Sellis, in 1810, the inquest found the man committed suicide, even tho…
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
Oh, the grand old duke of york
He ██████████████████
He ██████████████████
And he ██████████████████
He ██████████████████
He ██████████████████
And he ██████████████████
February 19, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Oh, the grand old duke of york
He ██████████████████
He ██████████████████
And he ██████████████████
He ██████████████████
He ██████████████████
And he ██████████████████
Turning up Les Mis in the car to maximum volume, whose with me
February 19, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Turning up Les Mis in the car to maximum volume, whose with me
On his BIRTHDAY 10/10
February 19, 2026 at 10:21 AM
On his BIRTHDAY 10/10
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
'Abolishing those programs and the lessons about gender they have taught, will, Trump and his acolytes hope, undermine our ability not just to condemn, but also to critically analyze the policies and practices they want to impose.'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott
Texas A&M University is the latest school to end women’s and gender studies programs and teaching race. We know why
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:33 PM
'Abolishing those programs and the lessons about gender they have taught, will, Trump and his acolytes hope, undermine our ability not just to condemn, but also to critically analyze the policies and practices they want to impose.'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
December 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
There is a measles outbreak in London, which has been widely reported.
Vaccination rates are low.
And we have been warned that an outbreak could be large.
Some of the reasons are due to misinformation and disinformation. Thankfully the Government appears to be waking up.
A thread.
Vaccination rates are low.
And we have been warned that an outbreak could be large.
Some of the reasons are due to misinformation and disinformation. Thankfully the Government appears to be waking up.
A thread.
February 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
There is a measles outbreak in London, which has been widely reported.
Vaccination rates are low.
And we have been warned that an outbreak could be large.
Some of the reasons are due to misinformation and disinformation. Thankfully the Government appears to be waking up.
A thread.
Vaccination rates are low.
And we have been warned that an outbreak could be large.
Some of the reasons are due to misinformation and disinformation. Thankfully the Government appears to be waking up.
A thread.
Showing this to my mum now that I’m 40
When someone tells me how old their child is I say "that's such a fun age" even if it's 37
February 10, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Showing this to my mum now that I’m 40
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
No-one seems to have noticed, but many of the core developments in the Mandelson/Epstein story these last few days have been broken on this website. @pickardje.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social are both posting each breaking development on BlueSky, not X.
February 10, 2026 at 11:40 AM
No-one seems to have noticed, but many of the core developments in the Mandelson/Epstein story these last few days have been broken on this website. @pickardje.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social are both posting each breaking development on BlueSky, not X.
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
I always rather enjoy how Emerald Fennell clearly gives zero fucks about how other people think she should make films, and instead leans into going completely hatstand off the rails with her vision. All power to her, seriously.
Emily Brontë reinterpreted by Lord Flashheart: my review of "Wuthering Heights".
Wuthering lows | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine
“This is enough now,” a character declares, two hours into writer-director Emerald Fennell’s new Wuthering Heights. “I will not stand for this grotesque performance!” Well, you said it.
thecritic.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:54 AM
I always rather enjoy how Emerald Fennell clearly gives zero fucks about how other people think she should make films, and instead leans into going completely hatstand off the rails with her vision. All power to her, seriously.
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
I'm so thrilled that The Librarians is finally available for anyone to watch. This documentary features many of the most amazing people I know, and some of the bravest, most selfless people in the world, and a dire warning about the fight they are undertaking for all of us.
Banned Books and the Librarians Caught in the Political Battle | Full Documentary | Independent Lens
YouTube video by PBS
youtu.be
February 10, 2026 at 7:53 AM
I'm so thrilled that The Librarians is finally available for anyone to watch. This documentary features many of the most amazing people I know, and some of the bravest, most selfless people in the world, and a dire warning about the fight they are undertaking for all of us.
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
For half-term, next Tuesday I’m doing a fun kids’ event at @southbankcentre.bsky.social in London — I’ll be doing a funny talk on the history of Roman Britain, and my ace illustrator @rikinparekh.bsky.social will do a live draw-along tutorial
Tix cheap!
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/tot...
Tix cheap!
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/tot...
February 9, 2026 at 12:19 PM
For half-term, next Tuesday I’m doing a fun kids’ event at @southbankcentre.bsky.social in London — I’ll be doing a funny talk on the history of Roman Britain, and my ace illustrator @rikinparekh.bsky.social will do a live draw-along tutorial
Tix cheap!
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/tot...
Tix cheap!
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/tot...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
I talked with the BBC World Service this morning about why AI data centers are a silly idea promoted by deeply unserious people. They're not going to happen, no matter what ignorant fascists like Elon Musk say. You can hear me starting at 39:15 here: www.bbc.com/audio/play/w...
BBC Audio | Newshour | Britain’s former PM calls for ethical reforms in public life
Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed Peter Mandelson as a cabinet minister
www.bbc.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:21 PM
I talked with the BBC World Service this morning about why AI data centers are a silly idea promoted by deeply unserious people. They're not going to happen, no matter what ignorant fascists like Elon Musk say. You can hear me starting at 39:15 here: www.bbc.com/audio/play/w...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
Is anybody ever gonna take a step back and realize the "Russia Russia Russia" people — derided as lunatic wine moms — were actually underplaying the foreign influence stuff, and the loud people who kept insisting it was all fake are now saying Jeffrey Epstein was kind of a cool guy?
NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump
Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staff
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Is anybody ever gonna take a step back and realize the "Russia Russia Russia" people — derided as lunatic wine moms — were actually underplaying the foreign influence stuff, and the loud people who kept insisting it was all fake are now saying Jeffrey Epstein was kind of a cool guy?
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
1/2 So much of what the Trump administration does is staggeringly stupid that it’s easy to miss some of the most jaw-dropping acts of self harm. Pete Hegseth has so completely lobotomised himself …
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Pentagon ends academic ties with
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon will end all graduate-level military training, fellowships and certificate programs at the school.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 8:02 AM
1/2 So much of what the Trump administration does is staggeringly stupid that it’s easy to miss some of the most jaw-dropping acts of self harm. Pete Hegseth has so completely lobotomised himself …
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
🔴NEW: Books are being removed or restricted in Scottish school libraries following complaints, creating a “chilling effect” that campaigners warn threatens both freedom of speech and inclusive education.
Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
February 8, 2026 at 8:01 AM
🔴NEW: Books are being removed or restricted in Scottish school libraries following complaints, creating a “chilling effect” that campaigners warn threatens both freedom of speech and inclusive education.
Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
Isn't it super random that all of the "anti-woke" cancel culture academics who all leaned into transphobia and race science later in their careers all seem to be connected through Jeffrey Epstein?
February 6, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Isn't it super random that all of the "anti-woke" cancel culture academics who all leaned into transphobia and race science later in their careers all seem to be connected through Jeffrey Epstein?
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
The number of trans youth suicides in the UK quadrupled in 2021 following significant restrictions in access to care. The NHS tried to cover this up with a fake report that tried to hide the truth.
goodlawproject.org/new-data-sho...
goodlawproject.org/new-data-sho...
New data shows surge in trans kids’ suicides following healthcare rollbacks | Good Law Project
A freedom of information request by Good Law Project has found that deaths by suicide of trans young people under 18 surged following the withdrawal of gender-affirming healthcare
goodlawproject.org
February 7, 2026 at 2:01 PM
The number of trans youth suicides in the UK quadrupled in 2021 following significant restrictions in access to care. The NHS tried to cover this up with a fake report that tried to hide the truth.
goodlawproject.org/new-data-sho...
goodlawproject.org/new-data-sho...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
Either she's a woman with a SRY gene, which is the common sense position, or she's now apparently a man with a vagina and uterus, female sex markers on her papers, and an entire life of living as a woman which she doesn't want to change. Which, according to anti-trans activists, does not exist.
February 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Either she's a woman with a SRY gene, which is the common sense position, or she's now apparently a man with a vagina and uterus, female sex markers on her papers, and an entire life of living as a woman which she doesn't want to change. Which, according to anti-trans activists, does not exist.
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
So now that Imane Khelif has revealed that she apparently has a SRY gene, people who were already calling her a man before are saying she's been "proven" to be a man.
My question is, what would they do? Should she be forced to change sex markers? To have genital surgery?
My question is, what would they do? Should she be forced to change sex markers? To have genital surgery?
February 7, 2026 at 5:20 PM
So now that Imane Khelif has revealed that she apparently has a SRY gene, people who were already calling her a man before are saying she's been "proven" to be a man.
My question is, what would they do? Should she be forced to change sex markers? To have genital surgery?
My question is, what would they do? Should she be forced to change sex markers? To have genital surgery?
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
I have made... a mistake. Each auction lot had 8-12 photos, so I assumed that was the number of pieces in the lot.
It was merely a sample. Each lot contains 100-ish pieces.
I won three lots.
It was merely a sample. Each lot contains 100-ish pieces.
I won three lots.
February 5, 2026 at 9:49 PM
I have made... a mistake. Each auction lot had 8-12 photos, so I assumed that was the number of pieces in the lot.
It was merely a sample. Each lot contains 100-ish pieces.
I won three lots.
It was merely a sample. Each lot contains 100-ish pieces.
I won three lots.
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
In a fantastical disappointing update to this, content creators now allege that the head of the British Museum’s social media team is using his personal account to attack them online.
Is this how the British Musuem wants to be seen to be treating PhD Students?
www.instagram.com/reel/DUWLPkq...
Is this how the British Musuem wants to be seen to be treating PhD Students?
www.instagram.com/reel/DUWLPkq...
Seema R on Instagram: "@britishmuseum @rishi_365 bullying folks is a terrible look if your mission is to bring people together"
751 likes, 49 comments - art_lust_ on February 4, 2026: "@britishmuseum @rishi_365 bullying folks is a terrible look if your mission is to bring people together".
www.instagram.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:30 AM
In a fantastical disappointing update to this, content creators now allege that the head of the British Museum’s social media team is using his personal account to attack them online.
Is this how the British Musuem wants to be seen to be treating PhD Students?
www.instagram.com/reel/DUWLPkq...
Is this how the British Musuem wants to be seen to be treating PhD Students?
www.instagram.com/reel/DUWLPkq...
Reposted by Dr Fern Riddell
British servicemen overseas bought sex, sometimes in brothels run by the British army. In the 1970s they began to talk about it.
🔒 Catherine Phipps’ feature from the February issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
🔒 Catherine Phipps’ feature from the February issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
The British Empire’s Brothels
www.historytoday.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:07 AM
British servicemen overseas bought sex, sometimes in brothels run by the British army. In the 1970s they began to talk about it.
🔒 Catherine Phipps’ feature from the February issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
🔒 Catherine Phipps’ feature from the February issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...