Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
gvb1554.bsky.social
Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
@gvb1554.bsky.social
Historian of the global Spanish Empire in the early modern period, with particular focus on the Philippines at the University of Bristol. Looking at race, society, marriage, intimacies, religion & politics.
https://www.instagram.com/gonzavelasco1554/
I lived in Antwerp in 2009-10 and I haven’t been back since I left. I’m now back for the weekend (thanks to my husband for a lovely Christmas present) and going down memory lane, visiting my old abode in Prinsesstraat 9 and falling in love with the city all over again.
January 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
Double-checking quotes for my copy edits for my forthcoming book.
This speech about why England should make war on Spain (given in Charles I’s Privy Council April 1625) to gain colonies in the Caribbean is feeling relevant today.
January 3, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
In Mechelen, Belgium, you’ll find ‘Emperor’s Street’ featuring two palaces: one (Hof van Kamerijk) where Emperor Charles V was raised and one (Hof van Savoye) where his formidable aunt Margaret presided over a grand court. Photos: Wikimedia Commons
January 3, 2026 at 8:19 AM
You can read the original Italian of the source explored in this thread in my Instagram account www.instagram.com/gonzavelasco...
December 19, 2025 at 10:56 AM
One of the most commonly held misconceptions about the reign of Philip of Spain in England (1554-1558) is that he was widely unpopular and resented by the English population, sentiments that the king allegedly reciprocated. The archival record is full of references that
December 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Muy emocionado de recibir primera reseña en español de mi libro "Habsburg England" sobre el reinado de Felipe II en Inglaterra de la mano de Beatriz Álvarez García (UCM). Una reseña muy amable y generosa por la que estoy muy agradecido. Capta con claridad

revistas.ucm.es/index.php/CH...
December 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
OMG. Apple is Catholic.
In 1582, a papal bull introduced the Gregorian calendar, still used today by most of the world. Because it’s 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar, countries introducing it simply skipped a third of October, and if you scroll back far enough in the iPhone calendar app you can see it change
November 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
As you dig out your chunky knitwear from the back of the draw, I know you are wondering: 'How did people prepare for winter 400 years ago?'

Read today's post to find out (and whet your appetite for our new book The Experience of Work in Early Modern England)

manyheadedmonster.com/2025/10/07/t...
The Experience of Work in Early Modern England I: Winter is Coming
This post is part of a series that marks the publication of The Experience of Work in Early Modern England. The book is co-authored by monster head Mark Hailwood, along with Jane Whittle, Hannah Ro…
manyheadedmonster.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:47 AM
This has been a difficult year for our family and people close to us, and my husband is doing the Great North Run to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Please consider donating! ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/colin-hou...
Colin's page
Hello!! This year has not been an easy one for some of my nearest and dearest. Right at the end of 2024, my best friend's father, Stuart, lost his battle to cancer. Then in February 2025, my sister's
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Desafío paleográfico. Testamento del año 1581 en Puebla de los Ángeles. Por más que miro no logro descifrar la naturaleza del testador, Hernán Velázquez Gasca. ¿Me echáis un cable? ¡Gracias!
July 31, 2025 at 10:09 AM
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Food history friends - does anyone have any recommendations of recent(ish) papers on atole and its culinary and social uses in early modern New Spain? Thanks!
July 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
Latin as a living language in 16th century Europe. In 1552 the inquisitors in Lisbon were interrogating an Englishman accused of sacrilege and because the Englishman "could not speak Portuguese well and knew Latin, they asked him questions in Latin." digitarq.arquivos.pt/.../0b68019c....
July 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Food history friends - does anyone have any recommendations of recent(ish) papers on atole and its culinary and social uses in early modern New Spain? Thanks!
July 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
Thank you, Bristol, for a terrific #RenSoc25 & for being amazing hosts! It was fabulous to hear such erudite papers & talk with a brilliant bunch of people. Looking forward to seeing y’all at #RenSoc27, where @warburginstitute.bsky.social will be our hosts in our DIAMOND anniversary year! #SRSlyGood
a close up of a diamond with blue spots on it
ALT: a close up of a diamond with blue spots on it
media.tenor.com
July 5, 2025 at 7:16 PM
It was a very enjoyable panel. It was lovely to meet you Sian, and to learn about your research! Glad you enjoyed #RenSoc25
#RenSoc25 last week was 👌🏼👌🏼 I was fortunate to speak on a lovely panel with @gvb1554.bsky.social and others all about women and litigation in the early modern world. Now to get ready for the Global Consortium for French Historical Studies in Paris next week! @sfhs.bsky.social @srsrensoc.bsky.social
July 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
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A privilege to introduce Professor Bronwyn Wilson's keynote lecture on 'Mediterranean Itineraries' for the @srsrensoc.bsky.social. A brilliant start to four days of things #Renaissance and #earlymodern in Bristol
@bristoluni.bsky.social @uobrishistory.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
Here is a little story about the #earlymodern emoticon "<3" and the complex symbolic meaning of this typographical entity that I posted yesterday. Follow me, for catholic symbolism and some #bookhistory, dear #skystorians of the blue skies. Here we go...
June 28, 2025 at 6:27 AM
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New speaker intro! I’m thrilled to share that Dr Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer is taking part in next year’s ‘365 Days with Katherine of Aragon’. His lecture will explore Katherine’s origins and family. You'll find all the details on my website.
onthetudortrail.com/Blog/2025/04...
May 4, 2025 at 4:46 AM
It might seem that Leo XIV is an unoriginal name, but it isn’t. St. Francis of Assisi to his confessor and companion, Brother Leo: 'do as will be most agreeable to our Lord, and follow in His footsteps and His poverty. And if it should be necessary for your soul,
May 8, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
New article!

'Seeing Women in the Early English and Dutch East India Companies' is now available as an Advance Article with Historical Research.

It's been years of work, but I'm proud of this one. I hope #earlymodern #skystorians enjoy it!

Some context below:

academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
Validate User
academic.oup.com
May 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
26 April 1582: Ambassador Mendoza writes at length to Philip II about the attempt to foment a Catholic coup in Scotland (and edge out the French). He despairs at how hopeless the Jesuits are at politics (they need to 'taught word for word what they have to say') ... 1/
#earlymodern
April 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
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When you’re doing your references and you run out of steam:
April 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Shop local, he said.
14 Apr 1617: Diego Sarmiento de Acuña Count of Gondomar, #Spanish ambassador argues against the establishment of an #English Amazon Company at a meeting of the Privy Council #otd (Prado)
April 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
As ever, he had a 'Plan B' @gvb1554.bsky.social 😁
14 Apr 1617: Diego Sarmiento de Acuña Count of Gondomar, #Spanish ambassador argues against the establishment of an #English Amazon Company at a meeting of the Privy Council #otd (Prado)
April 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Reposted by Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
🚨 THIS WEEK🚨
Before Henry VIII, Katherine Parr’s life was already full of drama and excitement! @drlindaporter.bsky.social delves into the captivating story of her earlier years. 🎭✨ #HistoryUnveiled #KatherineParr

Listen now 🎧 pod.fo/e/2b3cc9
<a href
="/hashtag/History" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#History #Podcast #tudor
March 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM