Gemma Hollman
@gemmahauthor.bsky.social
Historian, author, and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Runs the Just History Posts blog. Specialises in late medieval women and the English court. Find my links: https://lnk.bio/GemmaHAuthor
Pinned
Gemma Hollman
@gemmahauthor.bsky.social
· Jan 12
Hello Bluesky!
I'm excited to get tucked in to this app, so to start, a little about me:
I'm a historian and author who specialises in later medieval history, particular women's history and the English royal court, and have published three books. I also run a blog called Just History Posts!
I'm excited to get tucked in to this app, so to start, a little about me:
I'm a historian and author who specialises in later medieval history, particular women's history and the English royal court, and have published three books. I also run a blog called Just History Posts!
With book deadline rapidly approaching my head is full of everything Richard II, so have a pic of one of my favourite medieval artefacts, the Crown of Princess Blanche - thought to have originally been owned by Anne of Bohemia, Richard's first wife. It is the oldest surviving royal crown of England.
January 13, 2026 at 1:07 PM
With book deadline rapidly approaching my head is full of everything Richard II, so have a pic of one of my favourite medieval artefacts, the Crown of Princess Blanche - thought to have originally been owned by Anne of Bohemia, Richard's first wife. It is the oldest surviving royal crown of England.
This amazing review of The Queen and the Mistress by @thehistorybits.bsky.social came up on my social media memories today and I just had to share it again! One of my favourite reviews from anyone 🥹
If you want to see what Sharon loved so much, try it yourself! www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Mistre...
If you want to see what Sharon loved so much, try it yourself! www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Mistre...
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This amazing review of The Queen and the Mistress by @thehistorybits.bsky.social came up on my social media memories today and I just had to share it again! One of my favourite reviews from anyone 🥹
If you want to see what Sharon loved so much, try it yourself! www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Mistre...
If you want to see what Sharon loved so much, try it yourself! www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Mistre...
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Rest in peace, Mother of a Thousand Memes. We owe so much joy to you!
Spanish Woman Scorned, Then Loved, for Botched Fresco Restoration Dies at 94
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Rest in peace, Mother of a Thousand Memes. We owe so much joy to you!
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Something lovely for the weekend!
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age 💙
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age 💙
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
December 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Something lovely for the weekend!
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age 💙
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age 💙
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
Merry Christmas for those who celebrate! Hope you've had lovely days with lots of food and warmth. One of my favourites - a fresco depicting January at Castello Buonconsiglio, Trento, Italy, c. 1405-1410 #medieval
December 25, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Merry Christmas for those who celebrate! Hope you've had lovely days with lots of food and warmth. One of my favourites - a fresco depicting January at Castello Buonconsiglio, Trento, Italy, c. 1405-1410 #medieval
A really interesting point re: the rise in AI fake citations - as they become more prolific, how are they going to affect the real scholars whose names are being attributed to fake articles?
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 20, 2025 at 9:02 AM
A really interesting point re: the rise in AI fake citations - as they become more prolific, how are they going to affect the real scholars whose names are being attributed to fake articles?
It's my final newsletter of the year! We take a look at the lost treasure of King John, and I also look at the spate of high-profile heritage heists this year and why our historic collections are at such risk from thieves: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/merry-chri...
#history #newsletter
#history #newsletter
December 13, 2025 at 12:25 PM
It's my final newsletter of the year! We take a look at the lost treasure of King John, and I also look at the spate of high-profile heritage heists this year and why our historic collections are at such risk from thieves: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/merry-chri...
#history #newsletter
#history #newsletter
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
🌟New post!🌟
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. Shortly before his death, he reputedly lost England's Crown Jewels in The Wash in the east of the country. But how did this happen, and may the treasure be found?
#history #medieval #treasure
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. Shortly before his death, he reputedly lost England's Crown Jewels in The Wash in the east of the country. But how did this happen, and may the treasure be found?
#history #medieval #treasure
A Brief Moment of History: King John and the Lost Crown Jewels
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. His reputation at the time of his death and afterwards was so disastrous that in the 800 years after his death, no other English king has taken the name John. King John is known for many things: his unusual ascent to the throne, the Magna Carta, his reputation as king, but perhaps most importantly to archaeologists and treasure hunters alike is the loss of his baggage trains containing the English Crown Jewels in what is known as the Wash in October 1216 shortly before his death.
justhistoryposts.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
🌟New post!🌟
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. Shortly before his death, he reputedly lost England's Crown Jewels in The Wash in the east of the country. But how did this happen, and may the treasure be found?
#history #medieval #treasure
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. Shortly before his death, he reputedly lost England's Crown Jewels in The Wash in the east of the country. But how did this happen, and may the treasure be found?
#history #medieval #treasure
A Brief Moment of History: King John and the Lost Crown Jewels
King John is one of England’s most infamous kings. His reputation at the time of his death and afterwards was so disastrous that in the 800 years after his death, no other English king has taken the name John. King John is known for many things: his unusual ascent to the throne, the Magna Carta, his reputation as king, but perhaps most importantly to archaeologists and treasure hunters alike is the loss of his baggage trains containing the English Crown Jewels in what is known as the Wash in October 1216 shortly before his death.
justhistoryposts.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Looking across the Presbytery crossing vaults at Salisbury Cathedral from the clerestory. The scissor arches are older than those at Wells Cathedral and may well have been the inspiration for them. On the roof can be seen the 'ghosts' of the original C13 murals and their C19 update.
December 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Looking across the Presbytery crossing vaults at Salisbury Cathedral from the clerestory. The scissor arches are older than those at Wells Cathedral and may well have been the inspiration for them. On the roof can be seen the 'ghosts' of the original C13 murals and their C19 update.
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
A month (and a day!) ago, my debut book, "Elizabeth Boleyn: The Life of the Queen's Mother" was published! The positive reviews so far have been amazing. I still can't believe Elizabeth's story is out in the world. It was a joy to get to know her, and a privilege to tell her story.
December 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
A month (and a day!) ago, my debut book, "Elizabeth Boleyn: The Life of the Queen's Mother" was published! The positive reviews so far have been amazing. I still can't believe Elizabeth's story is out in the world. It was a joy to get to know her, and a privilege to tell her story.
Henry's penchant for lampreys and his subsequent death led to a civil war known as The Anarchy, which lasted for almost 2 decades, where England nearly saw its first Queen Regnant, over 400 years before Mary I: justhistoryposts.com/2017/06/19/t... #medieval #history
December 1, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Henry's penchant for lampreys and his subsequent death led to a civil war known as The Anarchy, which lasted for almost 2 decades, where England nearly saw its first Queen Regnant, over 400 years before Mary I: justhistoryposts.com/2017/06/19/t... #medieval #history
My latest newsletter is up, and this month I share my thoughts about how historians compile history, and whether it's possible to ever reach an object truth about what happened in the past. Make sure to take a read for free: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/compiling-... #history #newsletter
November 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
My latest newsletter is up, and this month I share my thoughts about how historians compile history, and whether it's possible to ever reach an object truth about what happened in the past. Make sure to take a read for free: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/compiling-... #history #newsletter
Re-reading my second book, The Queen and the Mistress, in advance of a new version, and just hit the point where Queen Philippa of Hainault is exactly my age and pregnant with her 10th child. Once again struck by the gulf in experience between me and women past (and elsewhere today)
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Re-reading my second book, The Queen and the Mistress, in advance of a new version, and just hit the point where Queen Philippa of Hainault is exactly my age and pregnant with her 10th child. Once again struck by the gulf in experience between me and women past (and elsewhere today)
Highly enjoyed tonight's @royalhistsoc.org anniversary lecture Visible | Invisible: Voices of Women in Early Modern Ireland by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, but really struck by this early slide in the presentation. Silences are everywhere in historical data and writing #Skystorians
November 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Highly enjoyed tonight's @royalhistsoc.org anniversary lecture Visible | Invisible: Voices of Women in Early Modern Ireland by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, but really struck by this early slide in the presentation. Silences are everywhere in historical data and writing #Skystorians
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Boy bitten by a crawfish, drawn by Sofonisba Anguissola. Her proud father sent this to Michelangelo to show what a talented daughter he had. Michelangelo agreed! Today is her day.
November 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Boy bitten by a crawfish, drawn by Sofonisba Anguissola. Her proud father sent this to Michelangelo to show what a talented daughter he had. Michelangelo agreed! Today is her day.
🌟New Post!🌟
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
An Interview With: Victoria Panton Bacon, Second World War Historian
Hello and welcome back to our "An Interview With" series! Today it is my pleasure to have author and historian of the Second World War, Victoria Panton Bacon, on as our guest, in a timely post for Remembrance Day. Today also sees the release of Victoria's first children's book, Their Second World War. Victoria is a ‘People Person’, and loves to write, particularly about the Second World War – her four published books all contain true stories of WWII, given to her by veterans who lived through it, or by family members wanting their loved one’s experiences to be recorded.
justhistoryposts.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
🌟New Post!🌟
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
The absolutely stunning Tiddy House in Exeter, Devon, England, possibly built in the late 16th century.
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
November 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The absolutely stunning Tiddy House in Exeter, Devon, England, possibly built in the late 16th century.
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
The urn and gold oak wreath of Alexander IV, made in Greece c310 BC. Alexander IV was the son of Alexander the Great, king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. Born after his father had died, a series of regents ruled whilst he grew up but he was assassinated when he came of age at 14 🧵 #history
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The urn and gold oak wreath of Alexander IV, made in Greece c310 BC. Alexander IV was the son of Alexander the Great, king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. Born after his father had died, a series of regents ruled whilst he grew up but he was assassinated when he came of age at 14 🧵 #history
Newsletter out now!
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
October 27, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Newsletter out now!
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
🌟New Post!🌟
Today we have guest Talia on the blog, exploring the centuries-long origin of the Hundred Years War between England and France. Why did these two countries fight for so long? Where did it all start?
#history #medieval
Today we have guest Talia on the blog, exploring the centuries-long origin of the Hundred Years War between England and France. Why did these two countries fight for so long? Where did it all start?
#history #medieval
The Origins of the Hundred Years’ War
Today I'm pleased to be hosting a guest post looking at the origins of the Hundred Years' War between England and France. This is a topic that comes up quite a lot on this blog, as it's right in my era of expertise, so I'm happy to hear from Talia. Talia is a 19-year-old self-taught future historian focused on Medieval England and the Crusades.
justhistoryposts.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Items frozen in time hit me differently. This is a tub of Ancient Roman cosmetic cream, made around 150AD, found in London during excavations in 2003. It was found in a Roman temple alongside other ritual items as an offering to the gods in the boundary ditch 🧵 #history
October 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Items frozen in time hit me differently. This is a tub of Ancient Roman cosmetic cream, made around 150AD, found in London during excavations in 2003. It was found in a Roman temple alongside other ritual items as an offering to the gods in the boundary ditch 🧵 #history
I'm at that stage of writing where I misread "water side" in Froissart and thought for a second that during the Peasants' Revolt they had put a passed-out Princess Joan down a waterslide...
It may be time for a break!!
It may be time for a break!!
a girl in a pink skirt is going down a water slide with netflix written on the bottom
ALT: a girl in a pink skirt is going down a water slide with netflix written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I'm at that stage of writing where I misread "water side" in Froissart and thought for a second that during the Peasants' Revolt they had put a passed-out Princess Joan down a waterslide...
It may be time for a break!!
It may be time for a break!!