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Royal Historical Society
@royalhistsoc.org
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The Royal Historical Society is the UK's foremost society promoting the scholarly and professional study of the past. Our membership is an international community of 7000+ historians - please join us: https://royalhistsoc.org/
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Reposted by Royal Historical Society
justincolson.bsky.social
Did medieval people buy each other Christmas gifts? New Year's Day was the main gifting day, but little is known about everyday people's present giving. Our project on London's customs records has uncovered a wealth of affordable items imported around this time: gloves and hats to toys and rattles🧵
Medieval Londoners’ cheaply imported mass-produced Christmas gifts look surprisingly familiar
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload ...
theconversation.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
jenniebatchelor.bsky.social
Today the Sunday Times discusses the decline in students studying A-level and beyond. I believe this is reversible. I believe it is necessary. And I’m glad to have some of my words on the importance of the discipline and the vibrancy of our degrees in English at York in the article.
December 21, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Looking for a New Year's resolution that is good for your mind and (relatively) easy to keep? Check out the Institute of Historical Research seminars for January 2026. Fourteen seminars in week 1 alone. Free, broad-ranging, open to the public and usually available both in person and online.
Events
Stay up to date with the upcoming events organised or hosted by the Institute of Historical Research
www.history.ac.uk
December 21, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
uk.theconversation.com
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload centuries…
Medieval Londoners’ cheaply imported mass-produced Christmas gifts look surprisingly familiar
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload centuries…
tcnv.link
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
royalhistsoc.org
In 2025 the Society was pleased to add 5 titles to its 'New Historical Perspectives' book series for early career historians bit.ly/4qh8eDt

This year saw publication of the 25th NHP title and the 200,000th download from the series. All books are available free Open Access @uolpress.bsky.social.
Covers of the following 5 new titles in the New Historical Perspectives book series. Forging Fraternity in Late Medieval Society, Rachael Harkes Atlantic Isles: Travel and Identity in the British and Irish West, 1880–1940, Gareth Roddy Waterscapes: Reservoirs, Environment and Identity in Modern England and Wales, Andrew McTominey Reading, Gender and Identity in Seventeenth-Century England, Hannah Jeans Voice, Silence and Gender in South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Struggle, Rachel E. Johnson
December 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
royalhistsoc.org
New today in Transactions: 'Teaching History Inclusively: A Pedagogical Case Study from an Institution Shaped by Empire' bit.ly/4pHzECD

Eleanor Newbigin and Sarah Tucker on the value of developing critical pedagogies in history for HE education @soashistory.bsky.social #Skystorians 1/2
Front page to the Transactions article: 'Teaching History Inclusively: A Pedagogical Case Study from an Institution Shaped by Empire'. Abstract in full: 'The Royal Historical Society’s June 2024 Update to the ‘Race Ethnicity & Equality in UK History: A Report and Resource for Change’ notes some important progress in terms of increased ethnic and racial diversity amongst history students and staff but acknowledges that more work is needed to both sustain and further advance these changes. In this Comment we argue that colleagues and the RHS should prioritise the development of critical pedagogies in history university education and evidence their impact on student outcomes. We share reflections on and data from our collaborative work between September 2021 and August 2024 developing an innovative module with the highly diverse history student cohort at SOAS, University of London, to help colleagues consider how they might undertake related projects in their own institutions.'
December 17, 2025 at 8:52 AM
royalhistsoc.org
The Society offers following 3 funding calls with closing dates in January: bit.ly/4p6jcea

> Workshop Grants, supporting project work by historians
> PhD Fellowships, to support completion of a doctorate
> Applied History Fellowships, for post-doc historians with @ihr.bsky.social and DC Thomson
Calls for research funding from the Royal Historical Society: current programmes - RHS
The Society currently invites applications for the following six schemes — open to historians across a range of career stages and backgrounds — with closing dates from 23 January to 6 March 2026. For ...
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
mbsbirmingham.bsky.social
We are delighted to be co-sponsoring this event alongside @ihr.bsky.social and @royalhistsoc.org. Details and sign-up information is below!
December 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
royalhistsoc.org
Booking for the first @royalhistsoc.org Lectures of 2026 is now available: bit.ly/48N0CCY

> Charles West on 'Queens & the Making of Medieval Europe’
> Vinita Damodaran on 'Decolonising the Natural History Collections of Empire'
> David Stack on 'Well-being: a Historian's Perspective'

#Skystorians
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...
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
royalhistsoc.org
New on the RHS blog: 'Lived experience and historical research' bit.ly/3La5pVP

While the social sciences have adopted lived experience expertise, this is still relatively rare within historical research.

Gabriel Lawson and Rhea Sookdeosingh reflect on their recent workshop #Skystorians 1/2
Front page of RHS blog: 'Lived experience and historical research': full abstract: "In this post Gabriel Lawson and Rhea Sookdeosingh reflect on their recent workshop on lived experience as a historical research practice. While the social sciences have increasingly adopted lived experience expertise, this is still relatively rare within historical research. Historians are now familiar with public engagement and the wider concept of research impact. However, the inclusion of lived experience within research is still uncommon, despite the value it could bring to many projects. Earlier this year, Gabriel and Rhea held a workshop to investigate the potential use of lived experience involvement within historical research. Here they report on their findings and recommendations for historians. This event was funded by an RHS Workshop Grant. Calls for the latest round of Workshop Grants remain open to 23 January 2026."
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
hetanshah.bsky.social
A nice collection of @timeshighered.bsky.social essays all in one place about the value of the arts and the humanities
www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/makin...
Making the case for arts and humanities
The arts and humanities are often dismissed as an unaffordable luxury, when these disciplines underpin vital human skills such as critical thinking, creativity and communication. This collection explo...
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
britishacademy.bsky.social
There are only three weeks left to apply for the Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026. The object of this fund is to promote the study of Western medieval manuscripts, particularly those of British interest. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4hO0Oo1
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
royalhistsoc.org
Booking for the first @royalhistsoc.org Lectures of 2026 is now available: bit.ly/48N0CCY

> Charles West on 'Queens & the Making of Medieval Europe’
> Vinita Damodaran on 'Decolonising the Natural History Collections of Empire'
> David Stack on 'Well-being: a Historian's Perspective'

#Skystorians
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...
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
royalhistsoc.org
New on the RHS blog: 'Lived experience and historical research' bit.ly/3La5pVP

While the social sciences have adopted lived experience expertise, this is still relatively rare within historical research.

Gabriel Lawson and Rhea Sookdeosingh reflect on their recent workshop #Skystorians 1/2
Front page of RHS blog: 'Lived experience and historical research': full abstract: "In this post Gabriel Lawson and Rhea Sookdeosingh reflect on their recent workshop on lived experience as a historical research practice. While the social sciences have increasingly adopted lived experience expertise, this is still relatively rare within historical research. Historians are now familiar with public engagement and the wider concept of research impact. However, the inclusion of lived experience within research is still uncommon, despite the value it could bring to many projects. Earlier this year, Gabriel and Rhea held a workshop to investigate the potential use of lived experience involvement within historical research. Here they report on their findings and recommendations for historians. This event was funded by an RHS Workshop Grant. Calls for the latest round of Workshop Grants remain open to 23 January 2026."
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
royalhistsoc.org
"The inaugural grant will enable the beneficiaries to develop their first-book manuscripts by providing £1,000/US$1,300 and additional editorial support over a period of 12 months.

The first grant will support early career scholars in History and Areas Studies."
thebookseller.com The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 9d
Cambridge University Press has launched a new grant to support under-represented early career scholars from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations, including first generation scholars 👇 #BookSky
Cambridge University Press opens funding scheme for under-represented early career scholars
ebx.sh
December 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
histedsocuk.bsky.social
Just a friendly reminder that we have 2 funded Fellowship opportunities. If you're a PGR student or historian interested in this post, see below!

Full details: historyofeducation.org.uk/hesfellows2026/
Deadline: 9th of January 2026
Start Date: 1st of February 2026

#histed #fellowship
History of Education Society: Fellowships 2026 - History of Education Society
Peter Gosden Fellow – Social Media
historyofeducation.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
ihr.bsky.social
Are you a PG research student based outside of London? Did you know that you may be eligible for a bursary of up to £500 to take one of our short courses in 2026? Find out more on our IHR Research Training and Short Courses page: www.history.ac.uk/study-traini... Applications open until 31 Jan 2026!
Research Training and Short Courses
The IHR offers a wide range of training courses for historians at all career stages, from digital research and oral history to archives and publishing.
www.history.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
branchuk.bsky.social
Are you a PGR or ECR planning to travel for a conference or an archive on research into 19th century American history? 🇺🇸📖💡

BrANCH welcomes applications for the next round of Peter Parish travel grants (up to £1000)!

Deadline to apply: January 7, 2026

www.branch.org.uk/parish-trave...
Parish Travel Grants — British American Nineteenth Century Historians
www.branch.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
royalhistsoc.org
New today in Transactions: 'Teaching History Inclusively: A Pedagogical Case Study from an Institution Shaped by Empire' bit.ly/4pHzECD

Eleanor Newbigin and Sarah Tucker on the value of developing critical pedagogies in history for HE education @soashistory.bsky.social #Skystorians 1/2
Front page to the Transactions article: 'Teaching History Inclusively: A Pedagogical Case Study from an Institution Shaped by Empire'. Abstract in full: 'The Royal Historical Society’s June 2024 Update to the ‘Race Ethnicity & Equality in UK History: A Report and Resource for Change’ notes some important progress in terms of increased ethnic and racial diversity amongst history students and staff but acknowledges that more work is needed to both sustain and further advance these changes. In this Comment we argue that colleagues and the RHS should prioritise the development of critical pedagogies in history university education and evidence their impact on student outcomes. We share reflections on and data from our collaborative work between September 2021 and August 2024 developing an innovative module with the highly diverse history student cohort at SOAS, University of London, to help colleagues consider how they might undertake related projects in their own institutions.'
December 17, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
royalhistsoc.org
How did the concept and role of the English soldier change across the late medieval and early modern divide?

'Change and Continuity in English Armies, 1453–1513' by Dan Spencer, a new research article in 'Transactions of the Royal Historical Society' bit.ly/44QK8Y7

#Skystorians 1/2
Opening page of the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society article, 'Change and Continuity in English Armies, 1453–1513', by Dan Spencer. Abstract: 'This article explores how and why English armies changed between the mid-fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. It thereby addresses a topic that has hitherto not received the attention it deserves, especially the issue of change and continuity across the late medieval and early modern divide. Administrative sources, such as indentures of war and inventories, are examined to trace changes in the terminology used to describe soldiers, the weaponry with which they were equipped and ratios of different types of combatants. This evidence is used to demonstrate that the role of men-at-arms and archers changed markedly over the course of the fifteenth century, with the latter evolving into a form of hybrid infantry. The reign of Henry VII was especially significant, with key developments including the emergence of new categories of soldiers. Contrary to past assessments, the bill only became the preferred English melee weapon in the last quarter of the fifteenth century, with the pike used alongside it in large numbers. European influences were important in driving these changes, which were integrated into a distinctive English style of warfare.'
December 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM
royalhistsoc.org
How did the concept and role of the English soldier change across the late medieval and early modern divide?

'Change and Continuity in English Armies, 1453–1513' by Dan Spencer, a new research article in 'Transactions of the Royal Historical Society' bit.ly/44QK8Y7

#Skystorians 1/2
Opening page of the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society article, 'Change and Continuity in English Armies, 1453–1513', by Dan Spencer. Abstract: 'This article explores how and why English armies changed between the mid-fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. It thereby addresses a topic that has hitherto not received the attention it deserves, especially the issue of change and continuity across the late medieval and early modern divide. Administrative sources, such as indentures of war and inventories, are examined to trace changes in the terminology used to describe soldiers, the weaponry with which they were equipped and ratios of different types of combatants. This evidence is used to demonstrate that the role of men-at-arms and archers changed markedly over the course of the fifteenth century, with the latter evolving into a form of hybrid infantry. The reign of Henry VII was especially significant, with key developments including the emergence of new categories of soldiers. Contrary to past assessments, the bill only became the preferred English melee weapon in the last quarter of the fifteenth century, with the pike used alongside it in large numbers. European influences were important in driving these changes, which were integrated into a distinctive English style of warfare.'
December 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
British Academy's pioneering 'cold spots' work now replicated by HESA.

'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
University students facing course 'cold spots' as enrolments fall
New data analysis suggests courses like artificial intelligence are surging in popularity as languages fall.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
ials.bsky.social
Call for Convenors - The Law and Humanities Hub at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (LHub) and the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) invite proposals from conveners for a new History and Law seminar to be launched in May 2026.

Download call 👇

ials.sas.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
LHub, Institute of Historical Research and IALS logos stacked with LHub in the middle.
December 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
ghilondon.bsky.social
Call for papers for our Medieval Germany Workshop organised in cooperation with the German History Society (@germanhistsoc.bsky.social)! 📯

📅 29 May 2026
📍GHIL
1/5
December 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Royal Historical Society
historyworkshop.org.uk
Today we are launching a new series of articles and podcasts to mark the 100th issue of History Workshop Journal 🎉✊🗃️

In this introductory article, Barbara Taylor reflects on a picnic she shared with other editors in 1984, and what it meant to be part of the HWJ collective.
An Editors' Picnic
Barbara Taylor introduces our new series with her memories of a picnic she enjoyed with other History Workshop Journal editors in 1984.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:46 AM