Sharon Bennett Connolly
@thehistorybits.bsky.social
Historian of Medieval & Women's History. FRHistS. Mum. Yorkshire lass.
New book Jan 2025: Scotland's Medieval Queens
Blog: Historytheinterestingbits.com
Podcast: A Slice of Medieval
https://viewauthor.at/SharonBennettConnolly
New book Jan 2025: Scotland's Medieval Queens
Blog: Historytheinterestingbits.com
Podcast: A Slice of Medieval
https://viewauthor.at/SharonBennettConnolly
Pinned
Real story of Lady Jane Grey - the tragic queen behind summer hit TV show
The tragic story of Lady Jane Grey has reached a whole new generation thanks to Amazon Prime's My Lady Jane - here's the true story of England's famous 'nine-day queen'
www.mirror.co.uk
I'm in The Mirror! 😁
I did an interview about Lady Jane Grey a couple of weeks ago.... It was election time and England had just got into the final of the Euros.... I guess there was too much going on. But its published now.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
I did an interview about Lady Jane Grey a couple of weeks ago.... It was election time and England had just got into the final of the Euros.... I guess there was too much going on. But its published now.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
I am delighted to be taking part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events!
It's a whole weekend of online History lectures with a live Q&A with the historians on the Sunday. All for only £22
@britishhistory.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2026/02/07/o...
It's a whole weekend of online History lectures with a live Q&A with the historians on the Sunday. All for only £22
@britishhistory.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2026/02/07/o...
Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History
I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments …
historytheinterestingbits.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:35 AM
I am delighted to be taking part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events!
It's a whole weekend of online History lectures with a live Q&A with the historians on the Sunday. All for only £22
@britishhistory.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2026/02/07/o...
It's a whole weekend of online History lectures with a live Q&A with the historians on the Sunday. All for only £22
@britishhistory.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2026/02/07/o...
New episode: We are running a series of Tudor Specials in 2026 and in the first of our "A Slice of Medieval Goes Tudor" episodes the inimitable @tonyriches.bsky.social joins us to discuss the first of the Tudors: Henry VII
#Tudor
@derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
bit.ly/3OjIV5X
#Tudor
@derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
bit.ly/3OjIV5X
Henry Tudor | A Slice of Medieval #86
In our first 'Goes Tudor' episode, historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly and historical author, Derek Birks are joined by historical fiction author, Tony Riches, to discuss Henry Tudor's path to the thro
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
New episode: We are running a series of Tudor Specials in 2026 and in the first of our "A Slice of Medieval Goes Tudor" episodes the inimitable @tonyriches.bsky.social joins us to discuss the first of the Tudors: Henry VII
#Tudor
@derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
bit.ly/3OjIV5X
#Tudor
@derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
bit.ly/3OjIV5X
My jokes always go awry in the midst of my history talks. The audience smile politely....
February 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM
My jokes always go awry in the midst of my history talks. The audience smile politely....
I think the high number of comedians writing history books, most of them regurgitating facts that have long been disproved, is even worse. They don't even pretend to do the research and just retell the same old stories, with a few jokes and nicknames thrown in.
February 8, 2026 at 1:20 PM
I think the high number of comedians writing history books, most of them regurgitating facts that have long been disproved, is even worse. They don't even pretend to do the research and just retell the same old stories, with a few jokes and nicknames thrown in.
Reposted by Sharon Bennett Connolly
Huge thanks to @matthewharffy.bsky.social and @justinhillauthor.bsky.social for letting me witter on about my Princesses of the Early Middle Ages.
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
Sharon Bennett Connolly on Medieval Princesses, Power & the Norman Conquest
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Huge thanks to @matthewharffy.bsky.social and @justinhillauthor.bsky.social for letting me witter on about my Princesses of the Early Middle Ages.
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
Huge thanks to @matthewharffy.bsky.social and @justinhillauthor.bsky.social for letting me witter on about my Princesses of the Early Middle Ages.
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
Sharon Bennett Connolly on Medieval Princesses, Power & the Norman Conquest
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Huge thanks to @matthewharffy.bsky.social and @justinhillauthor.bsky.social for letting me witter on about my Princesses of the Early Middle Ages.
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ
Reposted by Sharon Bennett Connolly
Je suis tombé par hasard sur cette petite pépite dessinée : "Medieval Girlfriends", par Juliette Cousin. Un roman graphique sans texte qui réinvente avec finesse le mythe du chevalier tueur de monstres... #vendredilecture #medievalsky #medievalists
February 6, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Je suis tombé par hasard sur cette petite pépite dessinée : "Medieval Girlfriends", par Juliette Cousin. Un roman graphique sans texte qui réinvente avec finesse le mythe du chevalier tueur de monstres... #vendredilecture #medievalsky #medievalists
Book Corner: Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb
Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.
Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.
Book Corner: Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb
Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.
historytheinterestingbits.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Book Corner: Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb
Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.
Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.
On this day in History: 1141
The 1st Battle of Lincoln was fought between the forces of King Stephen and those of Empress Matilda, Stephen was captured, the Empress was declared 'Lady of the English'
If only the war had ended on that day....
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2020/07/18/t...
The 1st Battle of Lincoln was fought between the forces of King Stephen and those of Empress Matilda, Stephen was captured, the Empress was declared 'Lady of the English'
If only the war had ended on that day....
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2020/07/18/t...
The First Battle of Lincoln, 1141
1141 Battle of Lincoln from Historia Anglorum I have written previously about the 1217 Battle of Lincoln, but did you know that was the Second Battle of Lincoln? The First Battle of Lincoln occurre…
historytheinterestingbits.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM
On this day in History: 1141
The 1st Battle of Lincoln was fought between the forces of King Stephen and those of Empress Matilda, Stephen was captured, the Empress was declared 'Lady of the English'
If only the war had ended on that day....
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2020/07/18/t...
The 1st Battle of Lincoln was fought between the forces of King Stephen and those of Empress Matilda, Stephen was captured, the Empress was declared 'Lady of the English'
If only the war had ended on that day....
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2020/07/18/t...
Wordly Women: Charlene Newcomb
Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops
Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops
Wordly Women: Charlene Newcomb
Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Wordly Women: Charlene Newcomb
Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops
Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops
Today, on A Slice of Medieval, Sharon Bennett Connolly and @derekbirks.bsky.social are joined by author and historian, @nathenamin.bsky.social , to discuss the rise and fall of Owain Glyndwr.
#medievalsky
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
#medievalsky
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
OwainGlyndwr | A Slice of Medieval #85
Historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly and historical author, Derek Birks are joined by author and historian, Nathen Amin, to discuss the rise and fall of Owain Glyndwr.
Music by Adriel Fair licensed f
soundcloud.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Today, on A Slice of Medieval, Sharon Bennett Connolly and @derekbirks.bsky.social are joined by author and historian, @nathenamin.bsky.social , to discuss the rise and fall of Owain Glyndwr.
#medievalsky
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
#medievalsky
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
Ooh, Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets - the sequel to Princesses of the Early Middle Ages - has a release date!
30 August 2026.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of some remarkable women.
mybook.to/LaterPrinces...
30 August 2026.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of some remarkable women.
mybook.to/LaterPrinces...
January 26, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Ooh, Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets - the sequel to Princesses of the Early Middle Ages - has a release date!
30 August 2026.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of some remarkable women.
mybook.to/LaterPrinces...
30 August 2026.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of some remarkable women.
mybook.to/LaterPrinces...
Good luck!
January 25, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Good luck!
Reposted by Sharon Bennett Connolly
Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History
I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’
I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’
Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History
I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History
I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’
I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’
Book Corner: Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks
Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.
Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.
Book Corner: Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks
Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Book Corner: Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks
Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.
Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.
Guest Post: Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform by Heather R. Darsie
The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the…
The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the…
Guest Post: Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform by Heather R. Darsie
The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the Interesting Bits with a taster extract from her latest book, If Any Person Will Meddle of My Cause: The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn.
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Guest Post: Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform by Heather R. Darsie
The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the…
The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the…
On this day in History: 1200
France is placed under interdict after Philip II refused to return to his wife, Ingeborg of Denmark, who he had abandoned - and later imprisoned - the morning after their wedding in August 1193
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2017/01/15/t...
France is placed under interdict after Philip II refused to return to his wife, Ingeborg of Denmark, who he had abandoned - and later imprisoned - the morning after their wedding in August 1193
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2017/01/15/t...
The Unfortunate Wives of Philip II of France
Coronation of Philip II Augustus Philip II Augustus had acceded to the throne of France in 1180, at the tender age of fifteen. He married his first wife, Isabella of Hainault the same year; she was…
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:16 PM
On this day in History: 1200
France is placed under interdict after Philip II refused to return to his wife, Ingeborg of Denmark, who he had abandoned - and later imprisoned - the morning after their wedding in August 1193
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2017/01/15/t...
France is placed under interdict after Philip II refused to return to his wife, Ingeborg of Denmark, who he had abandoned - and later imprisoned - the morning after their wedding in August 1193
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2017/01/15/t...
Thank you! 😘
January 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Thank you! 😘
Just had the pdf of the new book land - this is the final layout with index - so need to have one last look through, make sure there's no glaring errors. Then its ready to go and will be out in the world in about 10 weeks.
Almost there...
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
Almost there...
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
Amazon.com
mybook.to
January 14, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Just had the pdf of the new book land - this is the final layout with index - so need to have one last look through, make sure there's no glaring errors. Then its ready to go and will be out in the world in about 10 weeks.
Almost there...
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
Almost there...
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
New episode time! Post-Roman Britain
Derek and Sharon have a look at what life was like after the Romans left British shores - and whether or not King Arthur really existed
#Podcasts @derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#Romans #medieval
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
Derek and Sharon have a look at what life was like after the Romans left British shores - and whether or not King Arthur really existed
#Podcasts @derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#Romans #medieval
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
Post Roman Britain | A Slice of Medieval #84
Historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly and historical author, Derek Birks discuss the problems faced by Britain in the fifth century after the end of Roman rule. They also consider whether there was actua
soundcloud.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:37 AM
New episode time! Post-Roman Britain
Derek and Sharon have a look at what life was like after the Romans left British shores - and whether or not King Arthur really existed
#Podcasts @derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#Romans #medieval
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
Derek and Sharon have a look at what life was like after the Romans left British shores - and whether or not King Arthur really existed
#Podcasts @derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#Romans #medieval
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...
I have always had a soft spot for Eleanor of Brittany. Captured as a teenager, she spent almost 40 years imprisoned in various castles in England. And all because she had a greater claim to the throne than King John and his son, Henry III.
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/01/24/e...
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/01/24/e...
Eleanor, the ‘Pearl of Brittany’
Eleanor of Brittany Eleanor of Brittany was born around 1184, the daughter of Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke of Brittany by right of his wife, and Constance of Brittany. Whilst estranged from his father…
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I have always had a soft spot for Eleanor of Brittany. Captured as a teenager, she spent almost 40 years imprisoned in various castles in England. And all because she had a greater claim to the throne than King John and his son, Henry III.
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/01/24/e...
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/01/24/e...
Totally!
January 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Totally!
Wordly Women: Catherine Hokin
I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.
I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.
Wordly Women: Catherine Hokin
I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 10, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Wordly Women: Catherine Hokin
I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.
I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.
#OTD in 1148
Death of William de Warenne during the Second Crusade. Warenne had accompanied his cousin, Louis VII on the Second Crusade and was killed in the fighting in the Battle of Mount Cadmus, Laodicea. #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2021/10/30/e...
Death of William de Warenne during the Second Crusade. Warenne had accompanied his cousin, Louis VII on the Second Crusade and was killed in the fighting in the Battle of Mount Cadmus, Laodicea. #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2021/10/30/e...
Earl Warenne and the Second Crusade
Coat of arms of the Warenne earls of Surrey, in the Gundrada Chapel of Trinity Church, Southover When looking at a particular period or event in history, it can be easy to assume that it was all-co…
historytheinterestingbits.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:11 PM
#OTD in 1148
Death of William de Warenne during the Second Crusade. Warenne had accompanied his cousin, Louis VII on the Second Crusade and was killed in the fighting in the Battle of Mount Cadmus, Laodicea. #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2021/10/30/e...
Death of William de Warenne during the Second Crusade. Warenne had accompanied his cousin, Louis VII on the Second Crusade and was killed in the fighting in the Battle of Mount Cadmus, Laodicea. #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2021/10/30/e...