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richardbatten.bsky.social
Richard Batten
@richardbatten.bsky.social
430 followers 500 following 25 posts
Honorary Research Fellow at University of Exeter, Historian, Devon, WW1; Barista; Farmer’s son; Views my own, reposts not endorsements;
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richardbatten.bsky.social
Richard Batten @richardbatten.bsky.social · Jan 2
I am pleased to announce that my next book “For King and Country: The Role of Patriotism in Mobilisation in the First World War” will be published by Pen and Sword History @penandswordbooks.bsky.social and released on 31 January 2025.

www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/For-King-and...
For King and Country
This book is an original interpretation of domestic patriotism and the limitations of wartime mobilisation in rural and urban communities of the British Home Front…
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Reposted by Richard Batten
lsangha.bsky.social
📢JOYCE YOUINGS MEMORIAL LECTURE📢

Prof. Jane Whittle: Work & gender, status & power: the surprising history of everyday chores in early modern England

🗓️ 28 January, 3pm
📍 Uni of Exeter & Zoom

All welcome at this public 🗃️ lecture, register for your place: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joyce-...
A very detailed embroidering depicting men and women undertaking various work tasks. These include spinning, harvesting wheat, picking fruit, sheering sheep, carrying water and so on. Each task is labelled with the name of the month. Credit: The Labours of the Months, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
January 15, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
garylove.bsky.social
It’s not long now until the official publication of the Hardback and Paperback versions of our new edited volume (29 Jan) entitled ‘Writing Politics in Modern Britain’. In anticipation of publication day a blog has been produced and is now live on the CUP website:
cambridgeblog.org/2026/01/what...
What Political Books Do (Even When No One Reads Them)
When we think about politics today, we tend to think about speeches, soundbites, social media posts, or rolling news. Books can seem almost incidental: slow, old-fashioned, and increasingly marginal.
cambridgeblog.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
colmpm.bsky.social
"So the next time a political book appears it is worth asking not just what it says, but what it is trying to do."

Excellent (and very teaching friendly) blog from @garylove.bsky.social and @richardtoye.bsky.social, teeing up their new edited collection.

cambridgeblog.org/2026/01/what...
What Political Books Do (Even When No One Reads Them)
When we think about politics today, we tend to think about speeches, soundbites, social media posts, or rolling news. Books can seem almost incidental: slow, old-fashioned, and increasingly marginal.
cambridgeblog.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
garylove.bsky.social
I cant say its an absolute bargain, but the 40% MUP sale does being the price down to £57 and make it a bit more of an affordable investment. Sale lasts until end of January: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526176851/
Manchester University Press - Conservatism, Christian Democracy and the dynamics of transformation
Conservatism, Christian Democracy and the dynamics of transformation - Browse and buy the Hardcover edition of Conservatism, Christian Democracy and the dynamics of transformation by Gary Love
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
This beautiful colour plate shows rock formations on the East Devon coast caused by landslips between December 1839 & February 1840. Corn grew on the rocks that had fallen from the fields above, attracting fascinated visitors.

📷 Reserve 554.235 DAW/XX (1840)

#OldRockDay #Geology #RareBooks #Devon
Colour illustration of rock formations with wheat growing on them, entitled 'View in the Great Chasm of Axmouth Landslip.' Looking Westward. Reaping the Wheat 25th August 1840.' The illustration includes depictions of people in 19th century clothing.
January 7, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
victoriabates.bsky.social
My book is a bargain right now, especially as printed in colour! MUP sale runs to end of the month ("discount will apply automatically at checkout, unless based in North America. North American customers, please enter discount code JAN40 at checkout"): manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526168511/
January 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
primeadam.bsky.social
Delighted to get my hands on Volume 1 of London Pride!
I am excited to delve into the chapters and learn more about the London Territorials.
Of course I am also excited for Volume 2 later this year to see my own contribution in print!
#fwwhist
January 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
chriskempshall.bsky.social
Happy new year everyone! We return to discuss the recent film 'The Choral' and the ways in which it explores the shared experience of war on the home front.
owalpodcast.bsky.social Oh! What a Lovely Podcast @owalpodcast.bsky.social · 17d
Can a #FWW film work without trenches or battles?

This month we discuss the film 'The Choral', which uses song & collective experience to explore the War's impact on a northern English community & consider how it challenges expectations.

ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/65-t...
The Choral
Can a film about the First World War work without trenches or battles? In this episode of Oh What a Lovely Podcast, Angus, Jessica and Chris discuss the 2025 film The Choral, which uses ...
ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
owalpodcast.bsky.social
Can a #FWW film work without trenches or battles?

This month we discuss the film 'The Choral', which uses song & collective experience to explore the War's impact on a northern English community & consider how it challenges expectations.

ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/65-t...
The Choral
Can a film about the First World War work without trenches or battles? In this episode of Oh What a Lovely Podcast, Angus, Jessica and Chris discuss the 2025 film The Choral, which uses ...
ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
greatwarhuts.bsky.social
It's Day 12 of #HutVent2025 and it's time to hear about The Derby Scheme, and its distinctive armband, all explained by Taff...

youtu.be/TVML6KdOWkw
December 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
gsoh31.bsky.social
Lots of you will be logging off at the end of today. So what's coming up in 2026? It'll be packed. On 25 Sept I'll be honoured to give a Royal Historical Society public lecture in London on 'Rights of Way and Access to the Land in England and Wales’. Come along!
royalhistsoc.org/royal-histor...
Royal Historical Society lectures for early 2026 - RHS
The Royal Historical Society begins its 2026 programme of lectures on Friday 6 February when Professor Charles West (University of Edinburgh) will speak on ‘”Alike in Appearance but not in Scope”: Que...
royalhistsoc.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
exetercityoflit.bsky.social
Writers, readers, and bookish people of Devon! 📢 We're seeking feedback on our website (good and bad!), and your voice matters.

You can complete the feedback form for a chance to win one of 6 £25 National Book Tokens here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
December 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
cjapieters.bsky.social
There are FIVE MORE DAYS to get your abstract submissions in for our forthcoming conference on Food and Nutrition in Wartime in the Modern World! Based on submissions so far, there's fantastic research going on in the field and we're excited about bringing scholars together on this topic.
cjapieters.bsky.social Chloë J. A. Pieters @cjapieters.bsky.social · Oct 23
I'm so pleased to share this Call for Papers for a conference on Food and Nutrition in Wartime in the Modern World, 19th-21st centuries, organised with my colleagues Chris Batten and @rfhodge.bsky.social, kindly supported by @fwwsoc.bsky.social. Submissions to foodandwarconf@gmail.com by 22/12/25!
CALL FOR PAPERS Food and Nutrition in Wartime in the Modern World, 19th-21st centuries 16-17 April 2026 We welcome papers with a historical focus on a range of food and nutrition-related topics, including, but not limited to: Technological and productive innovations in food production in war Food and nutrition as a site of technocratic and bureaucratic developments Food and nutrition science in wartime Turning points in the development of bureaucratic, legal, social, political, etc approaches to food management e.g. the impact of the First World War blockade on the Second World War or wartime rationing on subsequent wars Social, cultural and legal perspectives on feeding of civilian, combatant and incarcerated/prisoner populations in war. Civilian, individual and/or community responses to food shortages. Survival strategies for populations facing difficulties accessing food and malnutrition in war, including generational and demographic cohort effects e.g. the elderly, marginalised and minority populations, such as those living in asylums, etc. Humanitarian interventions; including logistics, organisations, distribution on the ground and the use of humanitarian aid for religious, social or political aims. The weaponisation of food and nutrition in war in colonial and civil war contexts. The changing uses of food and nutrition in local, regional, national or international contexts over the period. Proposed panels (submissions do not need to be limited by these themes): Feeding incarcerated populations in wartime. Wartime occupations. Humanitarian interventions. Feeding fighters and civilians during asymmetric warfare, civil wars, guerrilla wars and/or anticolonial wars. Please submit a paper title and abstract of no more than 300 words to foodandwarconf@gmail.com by Monday 22 December 2025, 5pm (UK time). Informal enquiries may be sent to foodandwarconf@gmail.com. CALL FOR PAPERS Food and Nutrition in Wartime in the Modern World, 19th-21st centuries 16-17 April 2026 We welcome papers with a historical focus on a range of food and nutrition-related topics, including, but not limited to: Technological and productive innovations in food production in war Food and nutrition as a site of technocratic and bureaucratic developments Food and nutrition science in wartime Turning points in the development of bureaucratic, legal, social, political, etc approaches to food management e.g. the impact of the First World War blockade on the Second World War or wartime rationing on subsequent wars Social, cultural and legal perspectives on feeding of civilian, combatant and incarcerated/prisoner populations in war. Civilian, individual and/or community responses to food shortages. Survival strategies for populations facing difficulties accessing food and malnutrition in war, including generational and demographic cohort effects e.g. the elderly, marginalised and minority populations, such as those living in asylums, etc. Humanitarian interventions; including logistics, organisations, distribution on the ground and the use of humanitarian aid for religious, social or political aims. The weaponisation of food and nutrition in war in colonial and civil war contexts. The changing uses of food and nutrition in local, regional, national or international contexts over the period. Proposed panels (submissions do not need to be limited by these themes): Feeding incarcerated populations in wartime. Wartime occupations. Humanitarian interventions. Feeding fighters and civilians during asymmetric warfare, civil wars, guerrilla wars and/or anticolonial wars. Please submit a paper title and abstract of no more than 300 words to foodandwarconf@gmail.com by Monday 22 December 2025, 5pm (UK time). Informal enquiries may be sent to foodandwarconf@gmail.com.
December 17, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
profelainechalus.bsky.social
Welcome to Itiner-e – The Digital Atlas of Ancient Roads- the most detailed open digital dataset of roads in the entire Roman Empire ... Itiner-e allows you to view, query and download roads. itiner-e.org #skystorians 🗃️#roman
itiner-e
itiner-e.org
December 6, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
Experts analyse extraordinary wartime career of Winston Churchill in new podcast https://ow.ly/hTTL50Xz7Lz
Experts analyse extraordinary wartime career of Winston Churchill in new podcast
The extraordinary career of Winston Churchill and the events which led to him becoming Britain’s leader during World War Two are the focus of a fascinating new podcast. Churchill: The Finest Half Hour brings together
ow.ly
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
One of Dorset's less well known Iron Age hillforts is Coney's Castle near the wonderfully named village of Whitchurch Canonicorum

Despite being largely covered in trees it is well preserved, looked after by @nationaltrust.org.uk and has fantastic views

📷 2022

Happy #HillfortsWednesday
A National Trust sign and information board about Coney's Castle hillfort with tree covered ramparts behind The view across Dorset with trees in the foreground and grass covered fields and hedgerows in the middle ground and the sea in the distance Tree and vegetation covered Iron Age hillfort ramparts
December 3, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
With shades of The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog this RCHME plan of Coney's Castle hillfort has a Dorset mega-bunny on the N arrow 🐇

It used to be thought the name came from the Saxon / Germanic word for king (Cyning / König)

More likely it reflects later rabbit (Coney) breeding

#HillfortsWednesday
A black and white inked plan of the ramparts that define the Iron Age hillfort of Coney's Castle in Dorset with trees depicted in the top left and a giant rabbit over the north arrow
December 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
pastpresentsoc.bsky.social
On advance access: "(Un)Remembering Sexual Violence in South African History"

by Emily Bridger (@uoearchhist.bsky.social)

#OpenAccess

doi.org/10.1093/past...
(Un)Remembering Sexual Violence in South African History*
Abstract. South Africa is a country known for its high rates of gender-based and sexual violence. Historical research demonstrates that such issues are not
doi.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
A warning from the past: if there is anything you would like to preserve long-term in good condition, please don't stick tape on it!

As tape deteriorates, it can discolour, become brittle, lose its adhesive strength, and leave a residue stain.

Enough to give an archivist nightmares! 👻
A pile of discoloured tape strips on the right, next to a piece of paper on the left with an orange residue stain.
December 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
owalpodcast.bsky.social
Can a story about #FWW soldiers carry a warning for the nuclear age?

This month Anne Marie Einhaus returns for Robert Graves' short story 'Christmas Truce' where a veteran recounts his wartime experience to his anti-Nuclear Weapons campaigning Grandson.

ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/chri...
Christmas Truce
Can a story about soldiers shaking hands in the snow carry a warning for the nuclear age? This episode of Oh What a Lovely Podcast brings Jessica, Chris and Angus together with Anne Mari...
ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Richard Batten
uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
Devon’s elite attempts to “police” patriotism during World War One had limited success, research shows https://ow.ly/S38B50XvSvT
Devon’s elite attempts to “police” patriotism during World War One had limited success, research shows
Rich and powerful Devonians attempted to “police” patriotism during World War One because they were dismayed by an indifferent response to the European crisis by some in the county, research shows. These ‘provincial patriots’ were
ow.ly
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
exeterunilib.bsky.social
It's UK Disability History Month! Don't forget to explore our Disability and Inclusion guide to discover a range of digital and on-campus resources, including fiction, non-fiction, and audio-visual material: bit.ly/ExeterUniLibUKDHM
#UKDHM
A screenshot of the Library Disability and Inclusion LibGuide on a yellow background with a grey stripe across the top with UK Disability History Month 2025 written on it in yellow type and at the bottom in black type: ‘bit.ly/ExeterUniLibUKDHM’.
November 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
vandawilcox.bsky.social
Are you working on literature and culture in the First World War? have you considered submitting to First World War Studies? meet our Associate Editor @afrayn.bsky.social who is keen to receive more submissions in these fields!
fwwsjournal.bsky.social First World War Studies @fwwsjournal.bsky.social · Nov 25
👥 Associate Editors introductions: Andrew Frayn

Continuing our introductions of the FWWS associate editors, this week we’re pleased to highlight Dr. Andrew Frayn, Associate Editor of First World War Studies and a scholar working at the intersection of literature and history.
November 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Richard Batten
mwpalen.bsky.social
I joined the IMF podcast to discuss trade’s complex historical relationship to globalization, economic crisis, imperialism, and war. www.imf.org/en/news/podc...

@princetonupress.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@shafrhistorians.bsky.social
@uoearchhist.bsky.social
@shgape.bsky.social
Marc Palen on Peace Economics and Trade
www.imf.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM
richardbatten.bsky.social
It was great to be back on the Western Front Association’s Mentioned in Dispatches podcast with Dr Tom Thorpe @kensingtons.bsky.social to talk about my latest book, For King and Country: The Role of Patriotism in Mobilisation in the First World War: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...
Ep372 – Patriotism on the Devon Home Front – Dr Richard Batten – The Kensingtons Blog
kensingtons.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:21 AM