Jess Ayres
@drjessayres.bsky.social
📚Historian of early modern London
📜 Apprentice Archivist at The London Archives
🖋️Research interests in women, the City of London, and record keeping in C17th
🎓 PhD on women in the Court of Orphans
👩💻 https://jessica-ayres.co.uk
📜 Apprentice Archivist at The London Archives
🖋️Research interests in women, the City of London, and record keeping in C17th
🎓 PhD on women in the Court of Orphans
👩💻 https://jessica-ayres.co.uk
Pinned
Jess Ayres
@drjessayres.bsky.social
· Jun 24
Thrilled to say that earlier this month, I had the honour of being awarded the Curriers' Company London History Essay Prize @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social 🎉
@thelondonjournal.bsky.social #LondonHistory
@thelondonjournal.bsky.social #LondonHistory
Reposted by Jess Ayres
The Worshipful Company of Curriers essay prize on London for early career scholars, in association with The London Journal Trust and the Institute of Historical Research.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
Curriers' Essay Prize | The London Journal
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal. Other promising entries may also be considered for publication.
www.thelondonjournal.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The Worshipful Company of Curriers essay prize on London for early career scholars, in association with The London Journal Trust and the Institute of Historical Research.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
The author of the winning submission will receive £1,000, and publication, subject to peer review, in The London Journal.
Reposted by Jess Ayres
I've read quite a few married women's wills but never one made during childbirth. Great find! #EarlyModern 🗃️
📢 NEW Will of the Month Post 📢
October's will is an unusual & poignant example of a married woman who made a will
Margery Gadyng died in childbirth in 1540 - she declared her will to the midwife & women attending her, leaving them bequests of ribbons & rosaries
sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
October's will is an unusual & poignant example of a married woman who made a will
Margery Gadyng died in childbirth in 1540 - she declared her will to the midwife & women attending her, leaving them bequests of ribbons & rosaries
sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
October 28, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I've read quite a few married women's wills but never one made during childbirth. Great find! #EarlyModern 🗃️
Reposted by Jess Ayres
Remember guys, @pcsunion.bsky.social staff at the BL are on strike for the next two weeks. Please don't cross the picket line to go to reading rooms, attend exhibitions or anything else. They've endured so much on low pay since the cyberattack in 2023 and the least we can do is have their backs now.
Secret Maps opens today! 🤫 🗺️
From medieval manuscripts to Cold War espionage, our new exhibition explores how maps have hidden as much as they revealed for over 600 years.
Book now: bit.ly/BLSecretMaps
From medieval manuscripts to Cold War espionage, our new exhibition explores how maps have hidden as much as they revealed for over 600 years.
Book now: bit.ly/BLSecretMaps
October 26, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Remember guys, @pcsunion.bsky.social staff at the BL are on strike for the next two weeks. Please don't cross the picket line to go to reading rooms, attend exhibitions or anything else. They've endured so much on low pay since the cyberattack in 2023 and the least we can do is have their backs now.
#OTD in 1540, Fountains Abbey was sold to Sir Richard Gresham after being seized by the Crown. An inventory of the abbey valued it at over £1100, making it the wealthiest Cistercian abbey in England
#Yorkshire #History #Skystorians
#Yorkshire #History #Skystorians
October 1, 2025 at 8:21 AM
#OTD in 1540, Fountains Abbey was sold to Sir Richard Gresham after being seized by the Crown. An inventory of the abbey valued it at over £1100, making it the wealthiest Cistercian abbey in England
#Yorkshire #History #Skystorians
#Yorkshire #History #Skystorians
#OTD in 1880 the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Rio de Janeiro was inaugurated.
I was lucky enough to visit the library during a trip to Brazil in January and the space is truly breathtaking!
#Libraries #Skystorians #Brazil
I was lucky enough to visit the library during a trip to Brazil in January and the space is truly breathtaking!
#Libraries #Skystorians #Brazil
September 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#OTD in 1880 the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Rio de Janeiro was inaugurated.
I was lucky enough to visit the library during a trip to Brazil in January and the space is truly breathtaking!
#Libraries #Skystorians #Brazil
I was lucky enough to visit the library during a trip to Brazil in January and the space is truly breathtaking!
#Libraries #Skystorians #Brazil
No thoughts this morning, just this picture of the ceiling in the Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey
#History #Skystorians
#History #Skystorians
September 8, 2025 at 8:07 AM
No thoughts this morning, just this picture of the ceiling in the Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey
#History #Skystorians
#History #Skystorians
Had a fascinating trip to
@westminsterabbey.bsky.social last week to visit their library and archive collection!
The white hart painting in the Muniment Room (the symbol of Richard II) was a personal favourite, and I think the Abbey wins the award for best view out of an archival storage space…
@westminsterabbey.bsky.social last week to visit their library and archive collection!
The white hart painting in the Muniment Room (the symbol of Richard II) was a personal favourite, and I think the Abbey wins the award for best view out of an archival storage space…
September 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Had a fascinating trip to
@westminsterabbey.bsky.social last week to visit their library and archive collection!
The white hart painting in the Muniment Room (the symbol of Richard II) was a personal favourite, and I think the Abbey wins the award for best view out of an archival storage space…
@westminsterabbey.bsky.social last week to visit their library and archive collection!
The white hart painting in the Muniment Room (the symbol of Richard II) was a personal favourite, and I think the Abbey wins the award for best view out of an archival storage space…
Believe it or not, this is a parish register from the seventeenth century that was damaged during a fire! 🔥
Heat causes the collagen fibres in the parchment to denature and shrink and eventually turn to gelatine, which sometimes has a ‘glassy’ appearance.
#EarlyModern #Skystorians
Heat causes the collagen fibres in the parchment to denature and shrink and eventually turn to gelatine, which sometimes has a ‘glassy’ appearance.
#EarlyModern #Skystorians
September 3, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Believe it or not, this is a parish register from the seventeenth century that was damaged during a fire! 🔥
Heat causes the collagen fibres in the parchment to denature and shrink and eventually turn to gelatine, which sometimes has a ‘glassy’ appearance.
#EarlyModern #Skystorians
Heat causes the collagen fibres in the parchment to denature and shrink and eventually turn to gelatine, which sometimes has a ‘glassy’ appearance.
#EarlyModern #Skystorians
I'm working through some #EarlyModern petitions and uncovering some fascinating stories.
This one from residents near St-Dunstan-in-the-West is particularly relatable - burst water pipe chaos, and local council inaction - it's clear some problems never change! 💧
📷 COL/CA/05
#Skystorians
This one from residents near St-Dunstan-in-the-West is particularly relatable - burst water pipe chaos, and local council inaction - it's clear some problems never change! 💧
📷 COL/CA/05
#Skystorians
August 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
I'm working through some #EarlyModern petitions and uncovering some fascinating stories.
This one from residents near St-Dunstan-in-the-West is particularly relatable - burst water pipe chaos, and local council inaction - it's clear some problems never change! 💧
📷 COL/CA/05
#Skystorians
This one from residents near St-Dunstan-in-the-West is particularly relatable - burst water pipe chaos, and local council inaction - it's clear some problems never change! 💧
📷 COL/CA/05
#Skystorians
Reposted by Jess Ayres
The National Archives is looking for an Early Modern Parliamentary Records Specialist. Pros: you'll get to work in the same department as me. Cons: you'll have to work in the same department as me. Details via the link. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOD893/r...
Records Specialist - Early Modern Parliament at The National Archives
Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...
www.jobs.ac.uk
August 15, 2025 at 6:44 AM
The National Archives is looking for an Early Modern Parliamentary Records Specialist. Pros: you'll get to work in the same department as me. Cons: you'll have to work in the same department as me. Details via the link. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOD893/r...
Some pictures of Blarney Castle from my whistle stop visit to Cork last week. Swipe to the end for a bonus picture of a crop circle of cows… 🐄
August 15, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Some pictures of Blarney Castle from my whistle stop visit to Cork last week. Swipe to the end for a bonus picture of a crop circle of cows… 🐄
Reposted by Jess Ayres
We're back with another #DiscoverTLA and this time we're looking at #TowerBridge because #OTD in 1885, the Corporation of London (Tower Bridge) Act was passed, authorising the bridge's construction...
📷 LPA: 235947
🧵 1/8
📷 LPA: 235947
🧵 1/8
August 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
We're back with another #DiscoverTLA and this time we're looking at #TowerBridge because #OTD in 1885, the Corporation of London (Tower Bridge) Act was passed, authorising the bridge's construction...
📷 LPA: 235947
🧵 1/8
📷 LPA: 235947
🧵 1/8
Reposted by Jess Ayres
📣Call for Papers 📣
I am delighted to announce that 'Speech/less in the Early Modern World' will be held 23 April 2026 at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.
Please share far and wide and do consider submitting a proposal! 🙊
Link to PDF version: bit.ly/4lZz80R
I am delighted to announce that 'Speech/less in the Early Modern World' will be held 23 April 2026 at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.
Please share far and wide and do consider submitting a proposal! 🙊
Link to PDF version: bit.ly/4lZz80R
August 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
📣Call for Papers 📣
I am delighted to announce that 'Speech/less in the Early Modern World' will be held 23 April 2026 at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.
Please share far and wide and do consider submitting a proposal! 🙊
Link to PDF version: bit.ly/4lZz80R
I am delighted to announce that 'Speech/less in the Early Modern World' will be held 23 April 2026 at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.
Please share far and wide and do consider submitting a proposal! 🙊
Link to PDF version: bit.ly/4lZz80R
Reposted by Jess Ayres
We're recruiting for a new role in the Early Modern team at TNA to help us integrate the Parliamentary Archives. I'm looking for someone with an expertise in pre-modern Westminster Parliament so we can join the executive, legislative and judicial collections www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOD893/r...
Records Specialist - Early Modern Parliament at The National Archives
Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...
www.jobs.ac.uk
August 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
We're recruiting for a new role in the Early Modern team at TNA to help us integrate the Parliamentary Archives. I'm looking for someone with an expertise in pre-modern Westminster Parliament so we can join the executive, legislative and judicial collections www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOD893/r...
Some timeline cleansing pictures from my recent trip to Canterbury!
The first picture, Conquest House at 17 Palace Street, is actually a house with medieval interiors but a 19th century exterior.
#Canterbury #History
The first picture, Conquest House at 17 Palace Street, is actually a house with medieval interiors but a 19th century exterior.
#Canterbury #History
July 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Some timeline cleansing pictures from my recent trip to Canterbury!
The first picture, Conquest House at 17 Palace Street, is actually a house with medieval interiors but a 19th century exterior.
#Canterbury #History
The first picture, Conquest House at 17 Palace Street, is actually a house with medieval interiors but a 19th century exterior.
#Canterbury #History
I had good fun going down this little rabbit hole researching one of the women in our trade card collection!
#EarlyModern #Skystorians #History
#EarlyModern #Skystorians #History
We're back with another #DiscoverTLA exploring our trade card collection 🔍
Naturally we're starting with *not* a trade card! In fact this is a 1730 newspaper clipping advertising the business of Elizabeth Cluer, which is in our trade card collection...
📷 SC/GL/TCC/00/CLA-COX
#EarlyModern
1/7 🧵
Naturally we're starting with *not* a trade card! In fact this is a 1730 newspaper clipping advertising the business of Elizabeth Cluer, which is in our trade card collection...
📷 SC/GL/TCC/00/CLA-COX
#EarlyModern
1/7 🧵
July 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I had good fun going down this little rabbit hole researching one of the women in our trade card collection!
#EarlyModern #Skystorians #History
#EarlyModern #Skystorians #History
Reposted by Jess Ayres
Do you like a timelapse? We love a timelapse! Here is timelapse of our staff installing our *FREE* Shakespeare in London display.
📅 On display until 2nd October 2025
Tickets: www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exh...
#Shakespeare #London #FreeEvent #Archives #LondonHistory
📅 On display until 2nd October 2025
Tickets: www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exh...
#Shakespeare #London #FreeEvent #Archives #LondonHistory
July 17, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Do you like a timelapse? We love a timelapse! Here is timelapse of our staff installing our *FREE* Shakespeare in London display.
📅 On display until 2nd October 2025
Tickets: www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exh...
#Shakespeare #London #FreeEvent #Archives #LondonHistory
📅 On display until 2nd October 2025
Tickets: www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exh...
#Shakespeare #London #FreeEvent #Archives #LondonHistory
Reposted by Jess Ayres
Only 1 WEEK left to vote for us to win the #ARA Record-Keeping Service of the Year award!
You can read about our nomination and vote for us below 👇
www.archives.org.uk/recordkeepin...
@araukie.bsky.social #Archives
You can read about our nomination and vote for us below 👇
www.archives.org.uk/recordkeepin...
@araukie.bsky.social #Archives
July 11, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Only 1 WEEK left to vote for us to win the #ARA Record-Keeping Service of the Year award!
You can read about our nomination and vote for us below 👇
www.archives.org.uk/recordkeepin...
@araukie.bsky.social #Archives
You can read about our nomination and vote for us below 👇
www.archives.org.uk/recordkeepin...
@araukie.bsky.social #Archives
Reposted by Jess Ayres
📣 EVENT KLAXON📣
Did you know we have curator-led tours of our London in the Second World War exhibition? We have four tours this July:
📅 8th July
📅 12th July
📅 16th July
📅 22nd July
Ticket can be booked below 👇
www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cur...
#exhibition #archives
Did you know we have curator-led tours of our London in the Second World War exhibition? We have four tours this July:
📅 8th July
📅 12th July
📅 16th July
📅 22nd July
Ticket can be booked below 👇
www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cur...
#exhibition #archives
Curator-led exhibition tours - July
Every month our curators will guide you through our exhibition 'London in the Second World War' exploring London lives during the Second World War.
www.thelondonarchives.org
July 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
📣 EVENT KLAXON📣
Did you know we have curator-led tours of our London in the Second World War exhibition? We have four tours this July:
📅 8th July
📅 12th July
📅 16th July
📅 22nd July
Ticket can be booked below 👇
www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cur...
#exhibition #archives
Did you know we have curator-led tours of our London in the Second World War exhibition? We have four tours this July:
📅 8th July
📅 12th July
📅 16th July
📅 22nd July
Ticket can be booked below 👇
www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cur...
#exhibition #archives
To celebrate the opening of the Shakespeare in London display @thelondonarchives.bsky.social, here is a photo of the First Folio from @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social that I was able to nab a few years ago
#Shakespeare #EarlyModern #History #Skystorians
#Shakespeare #EarlyModern #History #Skystorians
June 30, 2025 at 8:49 AM
To celebrate the opening of the Shakespeare in London display @thelondonarchives.bsky.social, here is a photo of the First Folio from @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social that I was able to nab a few years ago
#Shakespeare #EarlyModern #History #Skystorians
#Shakespeare #EarlyModern #History #Skystorians
Reposted by Jess Ayres
We're excited to be starting a series called #DiscoverTLA where we'll looking in-depth at some of our most important documents.
Stay tuned for our first post on one of our iconic LGBTQ+ records 🏳️🌈
#Archives #Skystorians #LondonHistory
Stay tuned for our first post on one of our iconic LGBTQ+ records 🏳️🌈
#Archives #Skystorians #LondonHistory
June 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
We're excited to be starting a series called #DiscoverTLA where we'll looking in-depth at some of our most important documents.
Stay tuned for our first post on one of our iconic LGBTQ+ records 🏳️🌈
#Archives #Skystorians #LondonHistory
Stay tuned for our first post on one of our iconic LGBTQ+ records 🏳️🌈
#Archives #Skystorians #LondonHistory
Reposted by Jess Ayres
Yet another example of daughters‘ essential roles in bookselling families: In 1581-2, Middelburg bookseller Dierick van Helmondt repeatedly sent his daughter Janne to buy books from Plantin in Antwerp and settle his accounts (his son worked in the business too) (Museum Plantin-Moretus Arch. 60 f. 2)
June 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Yet another example of daughters‘ essential roles in bookselling families: In 1581-2, Middelburg bookseller Dierick van Helmondt repeatedly sent his daughter Janne to buy books from Plantin in Antwerp and settle his accounts (his son worked in the business too) (Museum Plantin-Moretus Arch. 60 f. 2)
Thrilled to say that earlier this month, I had the honour of being awarded the Curriers' Company London History Essay Prize @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social 🎉
@thelondonjournal.bsky.social #LondonHistory
@thelondonjournal.bsky.social #LondonHistory
June 24, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Thrilled to say that earlier this month, I had the honour of being awarded the Curriers' Company London History Essay Prize @guildhalllibrary.bsky.social 🎉
@thelondonjournal.bsky.social #LondonHistory
@thelondonjournal.bsky.social #LondonHistory