Rory M. Butcher
@rmbhistory.bsky.social
Historian | PhD@UniofLeeds | Fencibles & UK Home Defence 1793-1802 | National identity, masculinity, & contractual soldiering in the #C18th | Army Records Society Fellowship | Aspiring hockey goaltender | Historical reenactor | Opinions my own | he/him
Pinned
Rory M. Butcher
@rmbhistory.bsky.social
· Dec 19
Well that's some fun news!
My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968...
I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors.
/1
My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968...
I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors.
/1
"Pray Excuse the length of this Letter & the great trouble I have given you of late."
- Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry to Henry Dundas, 9 November 1794
- Also me to my supervisors, September 2021 - October 2025.
#phdlife
- Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry to Henry Dundas, 9 November 1794
- Also me to my supervisors, September 2021 - October 2025.
#phdlife
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
"Pray Excuse the length of this Letter & the great trouble I have given you of late."
- Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry to Henry Dundas, 9 November 1794
- Also me to my supervisors, September 2021 - October 2025.
#phdlife
- Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry to Henry Dundas, 9 November 1794
- Also me to my supervisors, September 2021 - October 2025.
#phdlife
In fun news - thesis submitted! Now just gotta do this whole viva thing...how hard can it be?
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
October 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
In fun news - thesis submitted! Now just gotta do this whole viva thing...how hard can it be?
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
#phdsubmitted #phdlife
October 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
And so begins my annual shelter from naval historians doing Trafalgar day
Anyone else joining me in the "French Wars land warfare bunker"? We have biscuits
#trafalgardayagain
Anyone else joining me in the "French Wars land warfare bunker"? We have biscuits
#trafalgardayagain
October 21, 2025 at 12:12 AM
And so begins my annual shelter from naval historians doing Trafalgar day
Anyone else joining me in the "French Wars land warfare bunker"? We have biscuits
#trafalgardayagain
Anyone else joining me in the "French Wars land warfare bunker"? We have biscuits
#trafalgardayagain
So I went to get one book to plug a hole in a footnote...and ended up also getting my own copies of 4 core texts (admittedly at very good prices)
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
October 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
So I went to get one book to plug a hole in a footnote...and ended up also getting my own copies of 4 core texts (admittedly at very good prices)
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
The dust settles on the first day of seminars of the semester.
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
October 1, 2025 at 9:20 AM
The dust settles on the first day of seminars of the semester.
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong?
#academia
With me finally wrapping up my PhD, I can also announce that I will be speaking at @NAM_London on Friday 5 December, 12-1pm, about the fencibles, civil-military relations, and martial masculinity. I'll be there in person, but it can be watched online *and* is free!
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/fen...
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/fen...
The Fencible Regiments in Britain and Ireland, 1793-1802
Join Rory Butcher as he shares the ‘forgotten’ history of the Fencible Regiments, assessing their role during the period of deep national crisis that accompanied the Wars of the French Revolution.
www.nam.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
With me finally wrapping up my PhD, I can also announce that I will be speaking at @NAM_London on Friday 5 December, 12-1pm, about the fencibles, civil-military relations, and martial masculinity. I'll be there in person, but it can be watched online *and* is free!
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/fen...
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/fen...
And that's the first full draft of my phd thesis compiled and sent to supervisors.
Where did the last 4 years go?
Where did the last 4 years go?
August 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
And that's the first full draft of my phd thesis compiled and sent to supervisors.
Where did the last 4 years go?
Where did the last 4 years go?
I know I've been rather little quiet on here of late. Rest assured I am doing just fine (even if juggling PhD, work, personal stuff, and hobbies is a lot).
In a small update, however, I've officially pressed go on "my" part of the intent to submit - it's nearly over!
#phdlife
In a small update, however, I've officially pressed go on "my" part of the intent to submit - it's nearly over!
#phdlife
June 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I know I've been rather little quiet on here of late. Rest assured I am doing just fine (even if juggling PhD, work, personal stuff, and hobbies is a lot).
In a small update, however, I've officially pressed go on "my" part of the intent to submit - it's nearly over!
#phdlife
In a small update, however, I've officially pressed go on "my" part of the intent to submit - it's nearly over!
#phdlife
Reposted by Rory M. Butcher
A book people should get
www.steiner-verlag.de/The-Hidden-J...
www.steiner-verlag.de/The-Hidden-J...
„The Hidden Jewel in Britain’s Military Crown“ | 400013983
Die britische Schießpulvermühle Waltham Abbey deckte während der napoleonischen Kriege etwa ein Drittel des britischen Gesamtbedarfes an Schießpulver ab. Ein mikrogeschichtlicher Ansatz untersucht, wi...
www.steiner-verlag.de
June 3, 2025 at 12:14 PM
A book people should get
www.steiner-verlag.de/The-Hidden-J...
www.steiner-verlag.de/The-Hidden-J...
Life stuff (our car imploding) rather scuppered a phd-focused end to the week, but I absolutely loved going to @camhistory.bsky.social to present on this aspect of my research.
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
May 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Life stuff (our car imploding) rather scuppered a phd-focused end to the week, but I absolutely loved going to @camhistory.bsky.social to present on this aspect of my research.
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
Was very happy to have been able to witness this in person!
We are pleased to announce that the Templer Medal for 2024 has been awarded to Prof. Kevin Linch for his book 'The British Army 1783-1815'. A full list of Templer and Chapple (formerly Best First Book) prize winners can be found on our website: www.sahr.org.uk/event-report...
May 5, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Was very happy to have been able to witness this in person!
So happy to be able to announce that in a couple of weeks I'm going to be speaking on negotiated authority in the fencibles at @camhistory.bsky.social, hosted by @1812andallthat.bsky.social! Free attendance and all that, & would be lovely to see some friendly faces
www.cfg.cam.ac.uk/events/contr...
www.cfg.cam.ac.uk/events/contr...
Contractual soldiering and negotiated authority during the French Revolutionary Wars - Centre for Geopolitics
www.cfg.cam.ac.uk
May 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
So happy to be able to announce that in a couple of weeks I'm going to be speaking on negotiated authority in the fencibles at @camhistory.bsky.social, hosted by @1812andallthat.bsky.social! Free attendance and all that, & would be lovely to see some friendly faces
www.cfg.cam.ac.uk/events/contr...
www.cfg.cam.ac.uk/events/contr...
I just want it on record that I *hate* writing literature reviews. I know they're necessary but why can't I just say "I promise I've read some stuff"
#phdlife
#phdlife
April 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I just want it on record that I *hate* writing literature reviews. I know they're necessary but why can't I just say "I promise I've read some stuff"
#phdlife
#phdlife
I've just finished the argument summary for chapter 5 and, in a terrifying moment, realised that *this* is the complete sum of the last 43~ months of my life
#phdlife
#phdlife
April 10, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I've just finished the argument summary for chapter 5 and, in a terrifying moment, realised that *this* is the complete sum of the last 43~ months of my life
#phdlife
#phdlife
And now to @kevinlinch.bsky.social about the Georgian Army Officers project! Genuinely such a worthwhile piece of work, and a practical tool that I've already been able to make good use of
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
April 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
And now to @kevinlinch.bsky.social about the Georgian Army Officers project! Genuinely such a worthwhile piece of work, and a practical tool that I've already been able to make good use of
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
Thoroughly enjoyed @1812andallthat.bsky.social speaking about Shadrack Byfield - lots of food for thought!
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
April 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed @1812andallthat.bsky.social speaking about Shadrack Byfield - lots of food for thought!
#WellingtonCongress2025
#WellingtonCongress2025
Very excitedto hear as @beatricedegraaf.bsky.social kicks off the #WellingtonCongress2025
April 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Very excitedto hear as @beatricedegraaf.bsky.social kicks off the #WellingtonCongress2025
Bidding adieu to @harchivestrust.bsky.social as I head towards Southampton. A brief but helpful visit, and inspires another reminder from me to go and use these resources! Local archives are just amazing
April 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Bidding adieu to @harchivestrust.bsky.social as I head towards Southampton. A brief but helpful visit, and inspires another reminder from me to go and use these resources! Local archives are just amazing
Hmmm delicious research @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy #phdlife
April 2, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Hmmm delicious research @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy #phdlife
In possibly a bad move for most of my friends' wallets, I'd like to draw your attention to the 60% OFF SPRING SALE that Oxfam are running
AND IT INCLUDES A LOT OF BOOKS
Seriously go look onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/sale
AND IT INCLUDES A LOT OF BOOKS
Seriously go look onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/sale
onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk
March 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
In possibly a bad move for most of my friends' wallets, I'd like to draw your attention to the 60% OFF SPRING SALE that Oxfam are running
AND IT INCLUDES A LOT OF BOOKS
Seriously go look onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/sale
AND IT INCLUDES A LOT OF BOOKS
Seriously go look onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/sale
I completely understand the need for banks to use 2-factor authentication on major purchases to prevent fraud.
But can we safely assume that if someone's stolen my card, they're not buying a copy of @historymatt.bsky.social's "The Independent Man"?
But can we safely assume that if someone's stolen my card, they're not buying a copy of @historymatt.bsky.social's "The Independent Man"?
March 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I completely understand the need for banks to use 2-factor authentication on major purchases to prevent fraud.
But can we safely assume that if someone's stolen my card, they're not buying a copy of @historymatt.bsky.social's "The Independent Man"?
But can we safely assume that if someone's stolen my card, they're not buying a copy of @historymatt.bsky.social's "The Independent Man"?
@graemecallister.bsky.social introducing @zwhitehistory.bsky.social on the EIC army, featuring an incredibly raised eyebrow
March 11, 2025 at 6:07 PM
@graemecallister.bsky.social introducing @zwhitehistory.bsky.social on the EIC army, featuring an incredibly raised eyebrow