Rachel Willie
@racheljwillie.bsky.social
Professional bookworm, amateur hill wanderer, cake, music, and #EarlyModern enthusiast. If lost, likely to be found in the dustier corners of the seventeenth century. Researches early modern English literary history and culture https://shorturl.at/uXujC
Reposted by Rachel Willie
✍ Introducing ✍
Sharpie, a letterform recognition game for beginner #EarlyModern #palaeography
gjhilton.github.io/Sharpie/
AKA What I Did Over Reading Week.
#skystorians I’d be so grateful if you had time to share or take a look and tell me what sucks and needs fixing.
Love g 🗃️
Sharpie, a letterform recognition game for beginner #EarlyModern #palaeography
gjhilton.github.io/Sharpie/
AKA What I Did Over Reading Week.
#skystorians I’d be so grateful if you had time to share or take a look and tell me what sucks and needs fixing.
Love g 🗃️
Sharpie
Sharpie, a letterform recognition game for apprentice Early Modern palaeographers
gjhilton.github.io
November 12, 2025 at 11:11 PM
✍ Introducing ✍
Sharpie, a letterform recognition game for beginner #EarlyModern #palaeography
gjhilton.github.io/Sharpie/
AKA What I Did Over Reading Week.
#skystorians I’d be so grateful if you had time to share or take a look and tell me what sucks and needs fixing.
Love g 🗃️
Sharpie, a letterform recognition game for beginner #EarlyModern #palaeography
gjhilton.github.io/Sharpie/
AKA What I Did Over Reading Week.
#skystorians I’d be so grateful if you had time to share or take a look and tell me what sucks and needs fixing.
Love g 🗃️
“Coincidence? Sarah Blizzard is a weather presenter, Ellie Cook is a pastry chef and David Limb is an orthopaedic surgeon”
No comment…
No comment…
‘You get more attention than you would choose’: how an unusual name can shape your life – for better or worse
‘You get more attention than you would choose’: how an unusual name can shape your life – for better or worse
From Peach to Riot to Aquaman, anything goes now when it comes to kids’ names. There are even companies to help you pick one …
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
“Coincidence? Sarah Blizzard is a weather presenter, Ellie Cook is a pastry chef and David Limb is an orthopaedic surgeon”
No comment…
No comment…
Why do I ALWAYS lose the game of pedestrian, puddle bus? 🥺 🚌
a person is laying in a waterfall in the woods
ALT: a person is laying in a waterfall in the woods
media.tenor.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Why do I ALWAYS lose the game of pedestrian, puddle bus? 🥺 🚌
Listening to David Hare and @anitaanand.bsky.social on PM discuss the problems faced by regional theatre and thinking they need to also chat with @rob-myles.bsky.social & his Stage Bright Idea award-winning proposals for a regional theatre network.
October 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Listening to David Hare and @anitaanand.bsky.social on PM discuss the problems faced by regional theatre and thinking they need to also chat with @rob-myles.bsky.social & his Stage Bright Idea award-winning proposals for a regional theatre network.
It’s a good thing I don’t have an Oxbridge leadership role: I’d likely propose a process for centralising JRF recruitment, then assigning colleges (& respective perks) to the successful candidates via a sorting hat/first come first serve or whatever. A bloody civil war would most likely break loose.
October 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
It’s a good thing I don’t have an Oxbridge leadership role: I’d likely propose a process for centralising JRF recruitment, then assigning colleges (& respective perks) to the successful candidates via a sorting hat/first come first serve or whatever. A bloody civil war would most likely break loose.
It’s just dawned on me that my peers and I began our PhDs in October 2005 and I’m in denial about the passage of time.
a man with white hair is sitting in a park with the word hmm written on his jacket
ALT: a man with white hair is sitting in a park with the word hmm written on his jacket
media.tenor.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:20 AM
It’s just dawned on me that my peers and I began our PhDs in October 2005 and I’m in denial about the passage of time.
Reposted by Rachel Willie
God, imagine being driven by unevidenced fears of people you've made no effort to understand, making outlandish claims about who they are and what they do, then stoking those fears in others and making it all worse.
And then making a show about witches with Alice Roberts.
And then making a show about witches with Alice Roberts.
Witches of Essex: Rylan and Prof Alice’s look at one of history’s most shameful periods is unfailingly moving
Witches of Essex: Rylan and Prof Alice’s look at one of history’s most shameful periods is unfailingly moving
This engaging if slight show sees the unlikely duo reopen witch trials from 400 years ago on the hunt for justice. It’s Blackadder crossed with CSI – with a sprinkling of Philomena Cunk
www.theguardian.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
God, imagine being driven by unevidenced fears of people you've made no effort to understand, making outlandish claims about who they are and what they do, then stoking those fears in others and making it all worse.
And then making a show about witches with Alice Roberts.
And then making a show about witches with Alice Roberts.
Pity my mother, with offspring such as me…
October 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Pity my mother, with offspring such as me…
This may be my favourite postscript of all time. The author and his son-in-law were being investigated for plotting against Oliver Cromwell in 1656.
'I desire my daughter to send me a Cheese, for this my restraint hath forced me to eate them she sent before sooner then was intended'.
#stresscheese
'I desire my daughter to send me a Cheese, for this my restraint hath forced me to eate them she sent before sooner then was intended'.
#stresscheese
October 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
There are also instances of women preaching and in positions of power in various sects throughout the Middle Ages and women also had a priestly role in the Early Church.
As the first female Archbishop of Canterbury is appointed, it’s worth remembering that dissenting women were preaching to mixed sex congregations in London as early as 1645. My book Voices of Thunder has a whole section on 17th-century “she-preachers”
#earlymodern
#earlymodern
October 3, 2025 at 11:35 AM
There are also instances of women preaching and in positions of power in various sects throughout the Middle Ages and women also had a priestly role in the Early Church.
Remembering the time we tried to explain pelican, puffin, toucan, zebra and pegasus crossings to @matthewharrison.bsky.social, though I suspect he still doesn’t believe us…
a group of ducks are walking down a sidewalk in front of a bank
ALT: a group of ducks are walking down a sidewalk in front of a bank
media.tenor.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Remembering the time we tried to explain pelican, puffin, toucan, zebra and pegasus crossings to @matthewharrison.bsky.social, though I suspect he still doesn’t believe us…
Reposted by Rachel Willie
Lily Dunn's 'Into Being' is a milestone text in the art of life writing. I'm looking forward to chairing a discussion with her at @rilch-ljmu.bsky.social next month. It will be a great evening about how we raise raw personal material and make it powerfully universal.
Join us next month as @lilydunn.bsky.social hits the road next month to launch her new book, 'Into being', sharing the secrets of writing memoir.
Coming to a bookshop, festival or university near you, visit our Events page for more info and tickets: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/events #booksky
Coming to a bookshop, festival or university near you, visit our Events page for more info and tickets: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/events #booksky
September 19, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Lily Dunn's 'Into Being' is a milestone text in the art of life writing. I'm looking forward to chairing a discussion with her at @rilch-ljmu.bsky.social next month. It will be a great evening about how we raise raw personal material and make it powerfully universal.
Fabulous turnout to hear our very own Kate Walchester discuss travel writing with Michael Palin as part of the Smithdown Litfest. Your correspondent might have not picked the best spot for paparazzi images of our two celebrities, but is very much enjoying hearing tales of travel 🫣🥴
September 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Can’t believe this book is TEN????
Very excited to dig into this little beauty by @racheljwillie.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Can’t believe this book is TEN????
Reposted by Rachel Willie
WE ARE OFF!
If you're still on commute or school run, you should be able to pick this up later as it's recorded. But always lovely to be able to actually ask questions of our brilliant post-docs.
#SkyStorians #EarlyModern
If you're still on commute or school run, you should be able to pick this up later as it's recorded. But always lovely to be able to actually ask questions of our brilliant post-docs.
#SkyStorians #EarlyModern
POSTDOCTORAL SHOWCASE!
Come and hear all about the exciting work our post-doctoral fellows have done this past year! Starring @claireturner.bsky.social & Jean David Eynard.
25 September, 5-6pm, Crowdcast. Register here: www.crowdcast.io/c/postdoctor... #EarlyModern #SkyStorians
Come and hear all about the exciting work our post-doctoral fellows have done this past year! Starring @claireturner.bsky.social & Jean David Eynard.
25 September, 5-6pm, Crowdcast. Register here: www.crowdcast.io/c/postdoctor... #EarlyModern #SkyStorians
September 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
WE ARE OFF!
If you're still on commute or school run, you should be able to pick this up later as it's recorded. But always lovely to be able to actually ask questions of our brilliant post-docs.
#SkyStorians #EarlyModern
If you're still on commute or school run, you should be able to pick this up later as it's recorded. But always lovely to be able to actually ask questions of our brilliant post-docs.
#SkyStorians #EarlyModern
Reposted by Rachel Willie
Important work by @britishacademy.bsky.social, keeping track of emerging cold spots, and contracting opportunities for young people who want to make a difference in the world through the study of SHAPE subjects.
Humanities, arts and social sciences degrees are disappearing in many UK regions.
With more young people than ever studying close to home, course cuts are narrowing their choices at university.
@timeshighered.bsky.social covers our 'Cold Spots' report today. Read more at https://bit.ly/46e3wOy
With more young people than ever studying close to home, course cuts are narrowing their choices at university.
@timeshighered.bsky.social covers our 'Cold Spots' report today. Read more at https://bit.ly/46e3wOy
Humanities and arts degrees disappearing in parts of UK
Students from rural and disadvantaged areas disproportionally affected by subject cuts, British Academy warns
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Important work by @britishacademy.bsky.social, keeping track of emerging cold spots, and contracting opportunities for young people who want to make a difference in the world through the study of SHAPE subjects.
Why did they call it “The Never Ending Story” when it has an ending? How come we’re not still trapped, sitting cross-legged in the school hall, wilting under the pressure of having begun watching it on VHS as our class Christmas party treat in 1989? #FalseAdvertising
September 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Why did they call it “The Never Ending Story” when it has an ending? How come we’re not still trapped, sitting cross-legged in the school hall, wilting under the pressure of having begun watching it on VHS as our class Christmas party treat in 1989? #FalseAdvertising
Reposted by Rachel Willie
Very pleased to see our Bee-ing Human film on the @leverhulme.ac.uk website. I will be sharing more from our science-humanities project on bee sentience soon as we finalise our bee book this autumn media.leverhulme.ac.uk/video/charle...
media.leverhulme.ac.uk
September 11, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Very pleased to see our Bee-ing Human film on the @leverhulme.ac.uk website. I will be sharing more from our science-humanities project on bee sentience soon as we finalise our bee book this autumn media.leverhulme.ac.uk/video/charle...
I’ve been busy all day and am just surfacing. Have I missed anything important?
September 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I’ve been busy all day and am just surfacing. Have I missed anything important?
Reposted by Rachel Willie
🐝🐝🐝 New to the @leverhulme.ac.uk 'Bee-ing Human' book: do watch and share our 7 mins film about Charles Butler's queen bee piping song, recorded in @theul.bsky.social and @peterhousecam.bsky.social with @sjjackson32.bsky.social Magnus Williamson, Richard Wistreich and choir.
Bee-ing human — Music
bee-inghuman.newcastle.ac.uk
September 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🐝🐝🐝 New to the @leverhulme.ac.uk 'Bee-ing Human' book: do watch and share our 7 mins film about Charles Butler's queen bee piping song, recorded in @theul.bsky.social and @peterhousecam.bsky.social with @sjjackson32.bsky.social Magnus Williamson, Richard Wistreich and choir.
Squire of the Fleas
To Concuss a Mockingbird
Jude the Mainstream
Close to the Madding Couple
Hitchhikers Guide to the Clam
The Visible Man
A Clockwork Satsuma
Cowardly Old Globe
Confessions of a Justly-Fried Singer
Gulliver’s Staycation
Prudery Fair
The Stripped Screw
The Quick Nap
🫣🥴😏
To Concuss a Mockingbird
Jude the Mainstream
Close to the Madding Couple
Hitchhikers Guide to the Clam
The Visible Man
A Clockwork Satsuma
Cowardly Old Globe
Confessions of a Justly-Fried Singer
Gulliver’s Staycation
Prudery Fair
The Stripped Screw
The Quick Nap
🫣🥴😏
Preliminary Sketches of the Artist as a Toddler
Slightly diminish a book.
The growing pains of Miss Jean Brodie
The growing pains of Miss Jean Brodie
September 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Squire of the Fleas
To Concuss a Mockingbird
Jude the Mainstream
Close to the Madding Couple
Hitchhikers Guide to the Clam
The Visible Man
A Clockwork Satsuma
Cowardly Old Globe
Confessions of a Justly-Fried Singer
Gulliver’s Staycation
Prudery Fair
The Stripped Screw
The Quick Nap
🫣🥴😏
To Concuss a Mockingbird
Jude the Mainstream
Close to the Madding Couple
Hitchhikers Guide to the Clam
The Visible Man
A Clockwork Satsuma
Cowardly Old Globe
Confessions of a Justly-Fried Singer
Gulliver’s Staycation
Prudery Fair
The Stripped Screw
The Quick Nap
🫣🥴😏
If I don’t say anything, do you think anyone will notice I accidentally put “colloquiums” instead of “colloquia” on that email I just sent?
a cardboard box with the words box of shame painted on it
ALT: a cardboard box with the words box of shame painted on it
media.tenor.com
September 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
If I don’t say anything, do you think anyone will notice I accidentally put “colloquiums” instead of “colloquia” on that email I just sent?
Reposted by Rachel Willie
An absolute masterclass from UK Quakers on how organisations of all kinds can stand up for the rights and safety of trans people, even post Supreme Court ruling and with all of the EHRC's cruelties:
www.quaker.org.uk/documents/re...
www.quaker.org.uk/documents/re...
www.quaker.org.uk
August 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
An absolute masterclass from UK Quakers on how organisations of all kinds can stand up for the rights and safety of trans people, even post Supreme Court ruling and with all of the EHRC's cruelties:
www.quaker.org.uk/documents/re...
www.quaker.org.uk/documents/re...
Come one, come all to lovely Liverpool to hear some fabulous scholarship!
SYMPOSIUM with the brilliant team of the Early Modern Scholars of Colour Network. Join us for an afternoon of exciting research papers as well as discussion of academia beyond the academy.
11 September, 12:45-17:15, Liverpool John Moores Uni
All info & programme: www.rensoc.org.uk/event/emsoc-...
11 September, 12:45-17:15, Liverpool John Moores Uni
All info & programme: www.rensoc.org.uk/event/emsoc-...
August 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Come one, come all to lovely Liverpool to hear some fabulous scholarship!
Reposted by Rachel Willie
POSTDOCTORAL SHOWCASE!
Come and hear all about the exciting work our post-doctoral fellows have done this past year! Starring @claireturner.bsky.social & Jean David Eynard.
25 September, 5-6pm, Crowdcast. Register here: www.crowdcast.io/c/postdoctor... #EarlyModern #SkyStorians
Come and hear all about the exciting work our post-doctoral fellows have done this past year! Starring @claireturner.bsky.social & Jean David Eynard.
25 September, 5-6pm, Crowdcast. Register here: www.crowdcast.io/c/postdoctor... #EarlyModern #SkyStorians
August 30, 2025 at 9:22 AM
POSTDOCTORAL SHOWCASE!
Come and hear all about the exciting work our post-doctoral fellows have done this past year! Starring @claireturner.bsky.social & Jean David Eynard.
25 September, 5-6pm, Crowdcast. Register here: www.crowdcast.io/c/postdoctor... #EarlyModern #SkyStorians
Come and hear all about the exciting work our post-doctoral fellows have done this past year! Starring @claireturner.bsky.social & Jean David Eynard.
25 September, 5-6pm, Crowdcast. Register here: www.crowdcast.io/c/postdoctor... #EarlyModern #SkyStorians