Ian Dawson
@iandawson51.bsky.social
www.thinkinghistory.co.uk; edited HA's Exploring and Teaching Medieval History; ex-SHP Director; Hon Fellow HA, Leeds Trinity Univ; Nat Teaching Award 2003; retired from teacher-training; currently writing about the Redmayns of Harewood in 15thC
And i'll add this one - if you've used one of Barbara's 3 Tudor books do drop me a line - see below for explanation.
October 17, 2025 at 8:23 AM
And i'll add this one - if you've used one of Barbara's 3 Tudor books do drop me a line - see below for explanation.
If you've found this book helpful, could you send me a few words about via DM or below. I'm hoping to put together a collection of positive comments for the author who's having medical treatment at the moment. Many thanks.
October 13, 2025 at 9:48 AM
If you've found this book helpful, could you send me a few words about via DM or below. I'm hoping to put together a collection of positive comments for the author who's having medical treatment at the moment. Many thanks.
A doubly good day - a new Redmayn chapter online:
16. One Fortnight in Summer: 26th July to 11th August 1415
How did the delay to Henry V’s expedition affect the Redmayns?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
and my first tennis as a 74 yr old and since a brief hospital stay last month.
16. One Fortnight in Summer: 26th July to 11th August 1415
How did the delay to Henry V’s expedition affect the Redmayns?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
and my first tennis as a 74 yr old and since a brief hospital stay last month.
September 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A doubly good day - a new Redmayn chapter online:
16. One Fortnight in Summer: 26th July to 11th August 1415
How did the delay to Henry V’s expedition affect the Redmayns?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
and my first tennis as a 74 yr old and since a brief hospital stay last month.
16. One Fortnight in Summer: 26th July to 11th August 1415
How did the delay to Henry V’s expedition affect the Redmayns?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
and my first tennis as a 74 yr old and since a brief hospital stay last month.
A happy moment this month hearing from a student I taught in the late 1980s. It's easy to wonder in teaching whether our work is worthwhile but such contacts out of the blue provide evidence that all the efforts teachers put in are worthwhile in ways far beyond the achievement of a good exam result.
August 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A happy moment this month hearing from a student I taught in the late 1980s. It's easy to wonder in teaching whether our work is worthwhile but such contacts out of the blue provide evidence that all the efforts teachers put in are worthwhile in ways far beyond the achievement of a good exam result.
An inspiration for anyone facing stoma surgery and even those of us who've had a stoma for decades. It's quite a birthday present knowing I was one of the first to have the experimental surgery (tho it didn't work back then) that now enables people to have internal pouches and hence stomas reversed
‘No Colon, Still Rollin’: Cass Bargell, US scrum-half and ostomy advocate, sets sights on World Cup
Hosts England hold few fears for the Harvard graduate who recovered from serious illness and surgery to play with a stoma and a bagA few years ago, Cass Bargell gave a Ted Talk at Harvard, the...
Hosts England hold few fears for the Harvard graduate who recovered from serious illness and surgery to play with a stoma and a bagA few years ago, Cass Bargell gave a Ted Talk at Harvard, the...
‘No Colon, Still Rollin’: Cass Bargell, US scrum-half and ostomy advocate, sets sights on World Cup
Hosts England hold few fears for the Harvard graduate who recovered from serious illness and surgery to play with a stoma and a bag
www.theguardian.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:47 AM
An inspiration for anyone facing stoma surgery and even those of us who've had a stoma for decades. It's quite a birthday present knowing I was one of the first to have the experimental surgery (tho it didn't work back then) that now enables people to have internal pouches and hence stomas reversed
For VJ Day
Sergeant George Dawson (seated), Royal Artillery 39-45, served in Indian and Burma, 42-45. An intelligent and kind man, he would have been an excellent teacher if born in a different decade. Like so many, he never spoke about his war in India and Burma.
Sergeant George Dawson (seated), Royal Artillery 39-45, served in Indian and Burma, 42-45. An intelligent and kind man, he would have been an excellent teacher if born in a different decade. Like so many, he never spoke about his war in India and Burma.
August 15, 2025 at 8:18 AM
For VJ Day
Sergeant George Dawson (seated), Royal Artillery 39-45, served in Indian and Burma, 42-45. An intelligent and kind man, he would have been an excellent teacher if born in a different decade. Like so many, he never spoke about his war in India and Burma.
Sergeant George Dawson (seated), Royal Artillery 39-45, served in Indian and Burma, 42-45. An intelligent and kind man, he would have been an excellent teacher if born in a different decade. Like so many, he never spoke about his war in India and Burma.
Reposted by Ian Dawson
🧑🏽🏫 Inclusive history in the classroom means acknowledging previously excluded voices and empowering teachers to share them.
We're fundraising for a GRT Teacher Fellowship in memory of Helen Snelson, who advocated for inclusive, rigorous history.
💛 Support us here: shorturl.at/2wGcW #HACommunity
We're fundraising for a GRT Teacher Fellowship in memory of Helen Snelson, who advocated for inclusive, rigorous history.
💛 Support us here: shorturl.at/2wGcW #HACommunity
July 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🧑🏽🏫 Inclusive history in the classroom means acknowledging previously excluded voices and empowering teachers to share them.
We're fundraising for a GRT Teacher Fellowship in memory of Helen Snelson, who advocated for inclusive, rigorous history.
💛 Support us here: shorturl.at/2wGcW #HACommunity
We're fundraising for a GRT Teacher Fellowship in memory of Helen Snelson, who advocated for inclusive, rigorous history.
💛 Support us here: shorturl.at/2wGcW #HACommunity
This new chapter could be useful but equally it could be an enjoyable read!
Deeper background for anyone teaching about Henry V at KS3 or A level - how one family was involved in parliamentary discussions, recruitment, mustering, preparations for departure:
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
July 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This new chapter could be useful but equally it could be an enjoyable read!
Reposted by Ian Dawson
Completely 'not my period' as they say, but wow. What a treasure trove of little vignettes this provides for A Level students in particular. 👌🏻
Deeper background for anyone teaching about Henry V at KS3 or A level - how one family was involved in parliamentary discussions, recruitment, mustering, preparations for departure:
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
July 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Completely 'not my period' as they say, but wow. What a treasure trove of little vignettes this provides for A Level students in particular. 👌🏻
Deeper background for anyone teaching about Henry V at KS3 or A level - how one family was involved in parliamentary discussions, recruitment, mustering, preparations for departure:
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
July 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Deeper background for anyone teaching about Henry V at KS3 or A level - how one family was involved in parliamentary discussions, recruitment, mustering, preparations for departure:
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
New- chapter 15 of my exploration of the Redmayn family c.1355-1426:
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
Recruiting soldiers, making lists, meeting friends at parliament .. my grandmother helps too - cross-referencing 1415 & 1914
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
Recruiting soldiers, making lists, meeting friends at parliament .. my grandmother helps too - cross-referencing 1415 & 1914
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
July 6, 2025 at 8:37 AM
New- chapter 15 of my exploration of the Redmayn family c.1355-1426:
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
Recruiting soldiers, making lists, meeting friends at parliament .. my grandmother helps too - cross-referencing 1415 & 1914
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
How did the Redmayns experience the preparations for war 1414-1415?
Recruiting soldiers, making lists, meeting friends at parliament .. my grandmother helps too - cross-referencing 1415 & 1914
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami...
Sunday morning and planning my session for Y7s visiting The Leeds Library on Tuesday. Just like 50 years ago in my first year teaching! Breakdown of timings, questions to ask, takeaways to identify, an extra source or two in case we finish early - hearing aids to charge ... didn't do that 50 yrs ago
July 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Sunday morning and planning my session for Y7s visiting The Leeds Library on Tuesday. Just like 50 years ago in my first year teaching! Breakdown of timings, questions to ask, takeaways to identify, an extra source or two in case we finish early - hearing aids to charge ... didn't do that 50 yrs ago
Joyous news! Lancashire have won their first county championship match of the season. As I'm just starting a chapter about the Redmayns' involvement in the campaign leading to Agincourt, I'm drawing the optimistic parallel that Lancs, like Henry V, are about to turn despair into triumph -promotion!
July 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Joyous news! Lancashire have won their first county championship match of the season. As I'm just starting a chapter about the Redmayns' involvement in the campaign leading to Agincourt, I'm drawing the optimistic parallel that Lancs, like Henry V, are about to turn despair into triumph -promotion!
@apf102.bsky.social Kirkstall c1990 - asked by the abbot (local headteacher) to visit when his Y5 spent day at abbey as monks,all in costume. LTU History students & i went as travellers - we even had a horse - but one of us showed symptoms of the pestilence and the Y5s had to decide if we could stay
July 1, 2025 at 6:08 AM
@apf102.bsky.social Kirkstall c1990 - asked by the abbot (local headteacher) to visit when his Y5 spent day at abbey as monks,all in costume. LTU History students & i went as travellers - we even had a horse - but one of us showed symptoms of the pestilence and the Y5s had to decide if we could stay
Interesting to see a keynote at SHP Conference on Empathy and Emotional Literacy - KS3 resources for teaching about emotions in the Middle Ages in chapters 2 and 3 here:
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Medieval/MAR...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Medieval/MAR...
Just over a week to get your ticket for #SHP25 and a little reminder of what a fantastic weekend we have lined up for you, kicking off with our Keynote from @corinnefowler.bsky.social! 1 Day, 2 Day and Weekend tickets available from store.leedstrinity.ac.uk/product-cata...
June 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Interesting to see a keynote at SHP Conference on Empathy and Emotional Literacy - KS3 resources for teaching about emotions in the Middle Ages in chapters 2 and 3 here:
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Medieval/MAR...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Medieval/MAR...
CPD delight for history teachers from @histassoc.bsky.social - an inspiring & profound hour's conversation led by Penelope Harnett - follow-up to her keynote lecture at 2024 HA conference. Equally valuable for secondary & primary teachers @htenuk.bsky.social
www.history.org.uk/secondary/mo...
www.history.org.uk/secondary/mo...
June 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
CPD delight for history teachers from @histassoc.bsky.social - an inspiring & profound hour's conversation led by Penelope Harnett - follow-up to her keynote lecture at 2024 HA conference. Equally valuable for secondary & primary teachers @htenuk.bsky.social
www.history.org.uk/secondary/mo...
www.history.org.uk/secondary/mo...
Reposted by Ian Dawson
Last chance to win £25 from Rayburn Tours if you book a ticket for #SHP25 today! If you can't make the whole weekend come along on Saturday, we have a really packed, exciting programme lined up. Tickets here store.leedstrinity.ac.uk/product-cata... and you can get all of this for just over £100
June 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Last chance to win £25 from Rayburn Tours if you book a ticket for #SHP25 today! If you can't make the whole weekend come along on Saturday, we have a really packed, exciting programme lined up. Tickets here store.leedstrinity.ac.uk/product-cata... and you can get all of this for just over £100
Lovely morning at The Leeds Library (founded 1768) planning for a school visit by Y7s next month. I have carte blanche to plan a 35 minute session - wonder if I can remember to do this teaching business? Suspect a continuum line and tabards may be resurrected.
June 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Lovely morning at The Leeds Library (founded 1768) planning for a school visit by Y7s next month. I have carte blanche to plan a 35 minute session - wonder if I can remember to do this teaching business? Suspect a continuum line and tabards may be resurrected.
I can highly recommend Michael's talk - it's a captivating, wonderful and important discussion - with Bristolian adaptations to the original Liverpudlian focus @histassoc.bsky.social conference, I suspect! You will thoroughly enjoy it.
1. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to announce the launch of the @1972shp.bsky.social South-West History Forum! The inaugural event will be taking place on June 18 in Bristol, with a stellar lineup: Michael Riley, @paulalobo.bsky.social and @tomallenhistory.bsky.social
June 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I can highly recommend Michael's talk - it's a captivating, wonderful and important discussion - with Bristolian adaptations to the original Liverpudlian focus @histassoc.bsky.social conference, I suspect! You will thoroughly enjoy it.
Jim Shields, a very special history teacher in a very quiet way.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Jim Shields obituary
Other lives: History teacher who encouraged and supported his pupils at Liverpool schools
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Jim Shields, a very special history teacher in a very quiet way.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
One retirement fear was losing touch with so many good people in the history teaching community so It's been a real delightwhen emails have arrived from old friends and contacts - in thanks here's something on the pleasures of belonging to the history community
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/downl...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/downl...
May 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
One retirement fear was losing touch with so many good people in the history teaching community so It's been a real delightwhen emails have arrived from old friends and contacts - in thanks here's something on the pleasures of belonging to the history community
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/downl...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/downl...
Some of my past ramblings about 'why learn about history?'
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Curri...
and on making this explcit with students of all ages
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Impor...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Curri...
and on making this explcit with students of all ages
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Impor...
@monsieurbenger.bsky.social very much enjoying the article.
I know @iandawson51.bsky.social has posed that same qu of the point of history in discussions many times over the years.
Great also to see the work of @1972shp.bsky.social still influencing the work of teachers. @danlyndon.bsky.social
I know @iandawson51.bsky.social has posed that same qu of the point of history in discussions many times over the years.
Great also to see the work of @1972shp.bsky.social still influencing the work of teachers. @danlyndon.bsky.social
April 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Some of my past ramblings about 'why learn about history?'
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Curri...
and on making this explcit with students of all ages
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Impor...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Curri...
and on making this explcit with students of all ages
thinkinghistory.co.uk/Issues/Impor...
Really good to read these highlighted items even from deepest retirement. It was this kind of argument that first got me excited about history teaching in 1973 @monsieurbenger.bsky.social
I think this is becoming ever more salient. I worry that, for a small minority, lessons we assume are a warning against intolerance, racism, sexism etc. are actually being interpreted as a more positive example - especially when they are manipulated by others to see it in this way!
April 16, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Really good to read these highlighted items even from deepest retirement. It was this kind of argument that first got me excited about history teaching in 1973 @monsieurbenger.bsky.social
Posted Chapter 14 of my history of Richard and Elizabeth Redmayn - Why did Richard Redmayn continue in
royal service under Henry V? 1413-1414
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami... Richard was nearly 60 in 1413 so why keep riding to and from Westminster & elsewhere in all weathers? Was it ...
royal service under Henry V? 1413-1414
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami... Richard was nearly 60 in 1413 so why keep riding to and from Westminster & elsewhere in all weathers? Was it ...
thinkinghistory.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Posted Chapter 14 of my history of Richard and Elizabeth Redmayn - Why did Richard Redmayn continue in
royal service under Henry V? 1413-1414
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami... Richard was nearly 60 in 1413 so why keep riding to and from Westminster & elsewhere in all weathers? Was it ...
royal service under Henry V? 1413-1414
thinkinghistory.co.uk/MedievalFami... Richard was nearly 60 in 1413 so why keep riding to and from Westminster & elsewhere in all weathers? Was it ...
This is that activity Richard mentions below (I think)
thinkinghistory.co.uk/ActivityBase...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/ActivityBase...
March 24, 2025 at 8:21 AM
This is that activity Richard mentions below (I think)
thinkinghistory.co.uk/ActivityBase...
thinkinghistory.co.uk/ActivityBase...