The site of the 1914 Sarajevo assassination. Having worked on the First World War for two decades, it felt very strange to finally stand there.

One for the many First World War historians out there. A relic of the last emperor of Austria inside the cathedral of Funchal, Madeira.

Today the postman made me a happy bunny, despite having to pay €19 in customs for my author's copies. Thank you Brexit.

On the train to Brussels to talk about the missing bones of the Napoleonic wars to a room full of archeologists. Cannot wait to meet @simonverdegem.bsky.social and share the research written with @robschaefer-historian.com and @tonypollard.bsky.social

Folks, it's Saturday. A good time to talk about personal hobbies. What is your guilty pleasure or assumed hobby ? When I'm not with family or hiking, I play guitar in a rock band. One thing for sure, we'll never make it to Glastonbury, but we don't lack enthusiasm.

Hello everyone, another presentation post as more of you are following me. I'm a historian at the Belgian State Archives. I've co-written several books, including these two babies published in 2024. Don't hesitate to say hi and follow me, I look forward to our courteous exchanges on this platform.

Before it was associated with an enemy symbol in 1914, the iron cross was a coveted medal in Belgium. It was awarded for bravery during the Belgian Revolution of 1830 and was proudly referenced on recipients'graves, such as this one (wounded in action in 1830, decorated with the iron cross).

I'm eating this.

Meet the three unfortunate German soldiers who were evacuated in 1870 from the French front to neutral Liège (Belgium), where they died of their wounds. Two years later, six thousand people came to the official inaugural ceremony and sang Wacht am Rhein.
They are still buried here 153 years later.