Rebecca Rideal
@rebeccarideal.bsky.social
Historian (early modern & true crime). TV & Podcast producer / writer.
Author - 1666: PLAGUE, WAR & HELLFIRE (out now), GOD’S THRONE: THE STUARTS 1603-1714 (currently writing).
Director of HistFest. Host Killing Time podcast.
Author - 1666: PLAGUE, WAR & HELLFIRE (out now), GOD’S THRONE: THE STUARTS 1603-1714 (currently writing).
Director of HistFest. Host Killing Time podcast.
Pinned
Once Upon a Time in the North
spotify.link
Hope you don’t mind me sharing this again. I’m just so excited to share this brand new podcast series produced by @histfest.bsky.social for @historyextra.bsky.social
Listen wherever you get your podcasts (here’s the Spotify link spotify.link/hxH97mL4PXb )
Listen wherever you get your podcasts (here’s the Spotify link spotify.link/hxH97mL4PXb )
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
Today is Remembrance Day, marking the day World War One ended - at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
November 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Today is Remembrance Day, marking the day World War One ended - at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
Have you been listening to UPRISING? Do you have any burning questions about the Civil Wars?
We’re doing a special bonus episode so please do post your queries below ⬇️
We’re doing a special bonus episode so please do post your queries below ⬇️
It's war!
Episode 3 of our brand new podcast, UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS, is out now!
Produced by HistFest Productions for the @historyextra.bsky.social podcast and hosted by historian @rebeccarideal.bsky.social.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
Episode 3 of our brand new podcast, UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS, is out now!
Produced by HistFest Productions for the @historyextra.bsky.social podcast and hosted by historian @rebeccarideal.bsky.social.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
November 11, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Have you been listening to UPRISING? Do you have any burning questions about the Civil Wars?
We’re doing a special bonus episode so please do post your queries below ⬇️
We’re doing a special bonus episode so please do post your queries below ⬇️
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
It's war!
Episode 3 of our brand new podcast, UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS, is out now!
Produced by HistFest Productions for the @historyextra.bsky.social podcast and hosted by historian @rebeccarideal.bsky.social.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
Episode 3 of our brand new podcast, UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS, is out now!
Produced by HistFest Productions for the @historyextra.bsky.social podcast and hosted by historian @rebeccarideal.bsky.social.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It's war!
Episode 3 of our brand new podcast, UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS, is out now!
Produced by HistFest Productions for the @historyextra.bsky.social podcast and hosted by historian @rebeccarideal.bsky.social.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
Episode 3 of our brand new podcast, UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS, is out now!
Produced by HistFest Productions for the @historyextra.bsky.social podcast and hosted by historian @rebeccarideal.bsky.social.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
Please tell me (without spoilers) that other people are watching All Her Fault?! It’s so f*cking good!!
November 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Please tell me (without spoilers) that other people are watching All Her Fault?! It’s so f*cking good!!
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
*TONIGHT*
ISLAM & MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
Mon 10 Nov | British Library
What was premodern England’s relationship like with the wider Islamic Worlds? Join Medieval & Early Modern Orients & HistFest for a special event.
Book now events.bl.uk/events/islam...
ISLAM & MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
Mon 10 Nov | British Library
What was premodern England’s relationship like with the wider Islamic Worlds? Join Medieval & Early Modern Orients & HistFest for a special event.
Book now events.bl.uk/events/islam...
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 AM
*TONIGHT*
ISLAM & MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
Mon 10 Nov | British Library
What was premodern England’s relationship like with the wider Islamic Worlds? Join Medieval & Early Modern Orients & HistFest for a special event.
Book now events.bl.uk/events/islam...
ISLAM & MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
Mon 10 Nov | British Library
What was premodern England’s relationship like with the wider Islamic Worlds? Join Medieval & Early Modern Orients & HistFest for a special event.
Book now events.bl.uk/events/islam...
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
Super excited that my new book Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train is available for pre-order from @qpbooks.bsky.social - signed with personalised dedications if you wish. Please get your orders in from lovely indies like them!
www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/moonl...
www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/moonl...
Moonlight Express by Monisha Rajesh — West End Lane Books
Signed and Dedicated Pre-Order Hardback Published 28th August From the author of the smash-hit Around the World in 80 Trains comes a new globetrotting journey - this time celebrating the pec...
www.welbooks.co.uk
April 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Super excited that my new book Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train is available for pre-order from @qpbooks.bsky.social - signed with personalised dedications if you wish. Please get your orders in from lovely indies like them!
www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/moonl...
www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/moonl...
Currently reading Mockingjay (on my daughter’s orders). There’s one part where a hospital is bombed to smithereens by the Capitol and Katniss & Co are appalled. It’s a big, rubicon moment.
How numb we have become.
How numb we have become.
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Currently reading Mockingjay (on my daughter’s orders). There’s one part where a hospital is bombed to smithereens by the Capitol and Katniss & Co are appalled. It’s a big, rubicon moment.
How numb we have become.
How numb we have become.
Seconded. I remember exactly what happened and how it played out.
Solidarity and sisterhood with @monisharajesh.bsky.social, @chimenesuleyman.bsky.social & @profsunnysingh.bsky.social, in the face of renewed bad-faith attacks from the usual suspects. Their work is amazing, their principles impeccable. Don’t read the Telegraph, don’t listen to muckraking podcasts.
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Seconded. I remember exactly what happened and how it played out.
❤️❤️❤️
Just listening - it's an excellent podcast with some great contributors - highly recommend.
November 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
❤️❤️❤️
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
The most incredible library in the world, @bodleian.ox.ac.uk opened to OTD 1602, through the energy, money & commitment of Sir Thomas Bodley. It began with 5k books, & now more than 22m, with 2m+reader visits a year, & multi-million online users across the globe. Privilged to be its 25th librarian!
November 8, 2025 at 7:20 AM
The most incredible library in the world, @bodleian.ox.ac.uk opened to OTD 1602, through the energy, money & commitment of Sir Thomas Bodley. It began with 5k books, & now more than 22m, with 2m+reader visits a year, & multi-million online users across the globe. Privilged to be its 25th librarian!
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
This is really good, making clear one of the more complex, and possibly the most important, period in the history of these isles
Good morning! If you’re looking for something to listen to on your morning commute, may I humbly suggest Uprising: The Civil Wars…
play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
November 7, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This is really good, making clear one of the more complex, and possibly the most important, period in the history of these isles
Good morning! If you’re looking for something to listen to on your morning commute, may I humbly suggest Uprising: The Civil Wars…
play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
November 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Good morning! If you’re looking for something to listen to on your morning commute, may I humbly suggest Uprising: The Civil Wars…
play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
We’re thrilled to share that a brand new podcast series has launched, starring our very own historians; Uprising: The Civil Wars!
🎧 Dr Jonathan Healey – expert contributor
🎧 Professor Andrew Hopper – expert contributor
🎧 Dr Charlotte Parsonson-Young – historical consultant
🎧 Rebecca Rideal – host
🎧 Dr Jonathan Healey – expert contributor
🎧 Professor Andrew Hopper – expert contributor
🎧 Dr Charlotte Parsonson-Young – historical consultant
🎧 Rebecca Rideal – host
November 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
We’re thrilled to share that a brand new podcast series has launched, starring our very own historians; Uprising: The Civil Wars!
🎧 Dr Jonathan Healey – expert contributor
🎧 Professor Andrew Hopper – expert contributor
🎧 Dr Charlotte Parsonson-Young – historical consultant
🎧 Rebecca Rideal – host
🎧 Dr Jonathan Healey – expert contributor
🎧 Professor Andrew Hopper – expert contributor
🎧 Dr Charlotte Parsonson-Young – historical consultant
🎧 Rebecca Rideal – host
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
PUBLICATION DAY!
My new book, ‘Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, rebel, kingmaker’ is out today.
“An epic journey”, “a powerful new biography”, “highly readable”, “vivid portrait”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/margaret-...
@headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#History #WomensHistory
My new book, ‘Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, rebel, kingmaker’ is out today.
“An epic journey”, “a powerful new biography”, “highly readable”, “vivid portrait”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/margaret-...
@headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#History #WomensHistory
Margaret Beaufort
Survivor. Rebel. Conspirator. Mother and grandmother of kings. Margaret Beaufort was one of the most remarkable and influential women of the Middle Ages.Margare…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
PUBLICATION DAY!
My new book, ‘Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, rebel, kingmaker’ is out today.
“An epic journey”, “a powerful new biography”, “highly readable”, “vivid portrait”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/margaret-...
@headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#History #WomensHistory
My new book, ‘Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, rebel, kingmaker’ is out today.
“An epic journey”, “a powerful new biography”, “highly readable”, “vivid portrait”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/margaret-...
@headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#History #WomensHistory
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
Half an hour left: www.kickstarter.com/projects/191...
They Are Still Here (Maen Nhw Yma O Hyd)
An anthology of contemporary fantasy stories featuring creatures and characters from Welsh mythology and folklore
www.kickstarter.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Half an hour left: www.kickstarter.com/projects/191...
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
A pewter syringe (1711) recovered from the shipwreck of the Queen Anne's Revenge, famed Pirate Black Beard's stolen flagship. The urethral syringe contained mercury, which most likely treated pirates aboard ailing from syphilis. More info: www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning...
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A pewter syringe (1711) recovered from the shipwreck of the Queen Anne's Revenge, famed Pirate Black Beard's stolen flagship. The urethral syringe contained mercury, which most likely treated pirates aboard ailing from syphilis. More info: www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning...
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
“It entrenched the fear of the home-grown ‘other’, motivated centuries of catholic persecution and injected a heady dose of nationalism into the Protestant state religion.”
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
The Gunpowder Plot's influence on Britain is profound
Adapted from a 2017 New Statesman article
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
“It entrenched the fear of the home-grown ‘other’, motivated centuries of catholic persecution and injected a heady dose of nationalism into the Protestant state religion.”
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
Also born on this day, in 1607, the remarkably brilliant & talented Anna Maria van Schurman. Made this print to advertise her own genius. A+ for complete lack of humility!
November 5, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Also born on this day, in 1607, the remarkably brilliant & talented Anna Maria van Schurman. Made this print to advertise her own genius. A+ for complete lack of humility!
I’ve now finished the penultimate episode of #TheWitcher season 4 and, my friends, the Liam Hemsworth hate is very unfair. He had an extremely difficult task, and I think he executed it just fine. And occasionally more than fine. (Those strings of hair need to go though.)
November 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I’ve now finished the penultimate episode of #TheWitcher season 4 and, my friends, the Liam Hemsworth hate is very unfair. He had an extremely difficult task, and I think he executed it just fine. And occasionally more than fine. (Those strings of hair need to go though.)
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
On this day in 1605 a Catholic soldier named Guy Fawkes was arrested in an undercroft below the House of Lords.
Many people know about the infamous gunpowder plot, but here's a blog post about the broader Catholic community at the time.
manyheadedmonster.com/2014/11/03/g...
#EarlyModern 🗃️
Many people know about the infamous gunpowder plot, but here's a blog post about the broader Catholic community at the time.
manyheadedmonster.com/2014/11/03/g...
#EarlyModern 🗃️
November 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
On this day in 1605 a Catholic soldier named Guy Fawkes was arrested in an undercroft below the House of Lords.
Many people know about the infamous gunpowder plot, but here's a blog post about the broader Catholic community at the time.
manyheadedmonster.com/2014/11/03/g...
#EarlyModern 🗃️
Many people know about the infamous gunpowder plot, but here's a blog post about the broader Catholic community at the time.
manyheadedmonster.com/2014/11/03/g...
#EarlyModern 🗃️
The provenance is quite convincing. The story goes that this lantern was seized (along with Guy Fawkes) from the cellars of the Houses of Parliament by Peter Heywood and Thomas Knyvett during their infamous search.
Later, Peter’s brother Robert passed it on to the University of Oxford.
Later, Peter’s brother Robert passed it on to the University of Oxford.
🎆 Did you know that the Ashmolean Museum has on display the lantern Guy Fawkes is thought to have been carrying when he was arrested in the cellars under the Houses of Parliament?
How lucky are we to have such incredible history just around the corner?
Image courtesy of the Ashmolean Museum.
How lucky are we to have such incredible history just around the corner?
Image courtesy of the Ashmolean Museum.
November 5, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The provenance is quite convincing. The story goes that this lantern was seized (along with Guy Fawkes) from the cellars of the Houses of Parliament by Peter Heywood and Thomas Knyvett during their infamous search.
Later, Peter’s brother Robert passed it on to the University of Oxford.
Later, Peter’s brother Robert passed it on to the University of Oxford.
“It entrenched the fear of the home-grown ‘other’, motivated centuries of catholic persecution and injected a heady dose of nationalism into the Protestant state religion.”
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
The Gunpowder Plot's influence on Britain is profound
Adapted from a 2017 New Statesman article
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
“It entrenched the fear of the home-grown ‘other’, motivated centuries of catholic persecution and injected a heady dose of nationalism into the Protestant state religion.”
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
My article on the Gunpowder Plot, terrorism and nationalism. open.substack.com/pub/rebeccar...
Reposted by Rebecca Rideal
Chester Walls.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Chester Walls.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
Chester Walls.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Chester Walls.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.
If legends are to be believed, Charles I walked along this very path to watch his troops defeated at the battle of Rowton Heath.