Cat Gower
@catherinegower.bsky.social
PhD student at Nottingham Trent University. Genealogical chronicles under Henry VI. 15thC history, cats, crochet and now roller derby. (she/they)
Reposted by Cat Gower
A big part of being a historian is being a detective! Who did this? Why? Where? Why does it matter in the grand scheme of things? You have to learn how to probe, how to uncover, how to read against the grain, how to find unusual sources, how to interpret those sources. How to piece together a puzzle
It also robs students of learning *how* to research.
December 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A big part of being a historian is being a detective! Who did this? Why? Where? Why does it matter in the grand scheme of things? You have to learn how to probe, how to uncover, how to read against the grain, how to find unusual sources, how to interpret those sources. How to piece together a puzzle
Reposted by Cat Gower
Very rarely does a post warrant all caps, but: SEARCHABLE INTERIM MANUSCRIPTS CATALOGUE. At long last! searcharchives.bl.uk
British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue
searcharchives.bl.uk
December 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Very rarely does a post warrant all caps, but: SEARCHABLE INTERIM MANUSCRIPTS CATALOGUE. At long last! searcharchives.bl.uk
Reposted by Cat Gower
There's a shout out to @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social's research for TMW in today's @thetimes.com. You can read the full article Natasha wrote right now for free via @uk.theconversation.com: theconversation.com/women-are-st...
December 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
There's a shout out to @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social's research for TMW in today's @thetimes.com. You can read the full article Natasha wrote right now for free via @uk.theconversation.com: theconversation.com/women-are-st...
Reposted by Cat Gower
We’ll be running our introduction to manuscript studies again in June 2026. There’s an early bird discount if you book this month, but if students are interested please encourage them to book early as this course has limited places 👇 📚📖✏️💻
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
Introduction to Palaeography and Manuscript Studies
This course introduces students to key skills for the study of medieval manuscripts, from the making of parchment to reading text and imagery
ies.sas.ac.uk
December 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
We’ll be running our introduction to manuscript studies again in June 2026. There’s an early bird discount if you book this month, but if students are interested please encourage them to book early as this course has limited places 👇 📚📖✏️💻
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
ies.sas.ac.uk/study-traini...
Reposted by Cat Gower
Recent research carried out by the Teaching Medieval Women group supported by NTU, shows that women are critically underrepresented in History assessments in English secondary schools at GCSE and A-Level: theconversation.com/women-are-st...
Women are still absent from how history is taught and assessed in England
Over a third of GCSE, AS and A-level exam papers in 2023 made no mention of women at all.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Recent research carried out by the Teaching Medieval Women group supported by NTU, shows that women are critically underrepresented in History assessments in English secondary schools at GCSE and A-Level: theconversation.com/women-are-st...
Reposted by Cat Gower
TMW's Natasha Hodgson @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social on the absence of women in History GCSE and A Level exam papers in today's @uk.theconversation.com, what this means for students, and the need for curriculum and assessment reform @departmentforedu.bsky.social
Recent research carried out by the Teaching Medieval Women group supported by NTU, shows that women are critically underrepresented in History assessments in English secondary schools at GCSE and A-Level: theconversation.com/women-are-st...
Women are still absent from how history is taught and assessed in England
Over a third of GCSE, AS and A-level exam papers in 2023 made no mention of women at all.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
TMW's Natasha Hodgson @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social on the absence of women in History GCSE and A Level exam papers in today's @uk.theconversation.com, what this means for students, and the need for curriculum and assessment reform @departmentforedu.bsky.social
Reposted by Cat Gower
New, and very interesting, #OpenAccess article on Early English Books Online:
Opening the black box of EEBO
academic.oup.com/dsh/advance-...
#History 🗃️
Opening the black box of EEBO
academic.oup.com/dsh/advance-...
#History 🗃️
Opening the black box of EEBO
Abstract. Digital archives that cover extended historical periods can create a misleading impression of comprehensiveness while in truth providing access t
academic.oup.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
New, and very interesting, #OpenAccess article on Early English Books Online:
Opening the black box of EEBO
academic.oup.com/dsh/advance-...
#History 🗃️
Opening the black box of EEBO
academic.oup.com/dsh/advance-...
#History 🗃️
Reposted by Cat Gower
Immensely proud to be part of the incredible team who authored this report! The 'Great History Heist' presents results from a national survey of the teaching of women in History at KS3, and suggests pathways for improving the systemic barriers affecting representation in the classroom.
We’re launching the results of our research into gender balance in the History curriculum today.
The report - The Great History Heist: Reclaiming Women’s Place in the History Curriculum - found only 12% of History lessons feature women as their main focus. 59% featured no women at all.
The report - The Great History Heist: Reclaiming Women’s Place in the History Curriculum - found only 12% of History lessons feature women as their main focus. 59% featured no women at all.
Sexism in the History Curriculum - End Sexism in Schools
End Sexism In School’s second crowd research project is looking into the History curriculum taught at KS3 (years 7-9) in England and Wales.
endsexisminschools.org.uk
September 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Immensely proud to be part of the incredible team who authored this report! The 'Great History Heist' presents results from a national survey of the teaching of women in History at KS3, and suggests pathways for improving the systemic barriers affecting representation in the classroom.
Reposted by Cat Gower
I'm so angry about #KingAndConqueror because the exec producer says: 'there's an obscuring mist that allows you to take artistic license in a way that doesn't feel inauthentic or unethical, because there's only so much we can know. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/... 1/
King & Conqueror cast and creatives on telling the story of Harold, William and the Battle of Hastings -
The drama follows Harold of Wessex (James Norton) and William of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) two men destined to meet in 1066
www.bbc.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I'm so angry about #KingAndConqueror because the exec producer says: 'there's an obscuring mist that allows you to take artistic license in a way that doesn't feel inauthentic or unethical, because there's only so much we can know. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/... 1/
Reposted by Cat Gower
Lovely essay in the @lrb.co.uk on Renaissance era libraries and their influence
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Anthony Grafton · No Cheese Please: The First Bibliophiles
The library made possible a new kind of intellectual life. Machiavelli, when he’d been exiled from Florence, described...
www.lrb.co.uk
August 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Lovely essay in the @lrb.co.uk on Renaissance era libraries and their influence
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Cat Gower
Harold Wilson did say a week's a long time in politics...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
What can Keir Starmer’s Labour learn from New Labour? Part Two
In the concluding episode of this two-part series, Steven King and Glen O’Hara discuss what lessons Keir Starmer might learn from the last time Labour was in government.
policyfactory.org
July 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Harold Wilson did say a week's a long time in politics...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
But as promised we're back with our latest podcast episode, returning with part 2 of Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) speaking with Steven King on what Keir Starmer can learn from New Labour.
policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
Managed to rescue a little wren from my cat. Brought the wren inside to keep it safe/check to see if it was hurt.
Cue one very unhurt but annoyed wren flying off behind the TV.
The wren is now free, unhurt and flying around outside. I, on the other hand, have a lot of wires to put back...
Cue one very unhurt but annoyed wren flying off behind the TV.
The wren is now free, unhurt and flying around outside. I, on the other hand, have a lot of wires to put back...
July 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Managed to rescue a little wren from my cat. Brought the wren inside to keep it safe/check to see if it was hurt.
Cue one very unhurt but annoyed wren flying off behind the TV.
The wren is now free, unhurt and flying around outside. I, on the other hand, have a lot of wires to put back...
Cue one very unhurt but annoyed wren flying off behind the TV.
The wren is now free, unhurt and flying around outside. I, on the other hand, have a lot of wires to put back...
Reposted by Cat Gower
As the welfare vote tonight threatens to divide the Labour Party, Steve King and Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) discuss what lessons Keir Starmer could learn from Tony Blair and New Labour in our latest Policy Factory Podcast episode. policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
What can Keir Starmer's Labour learn from New Labour?
Steven King and Glen O'Hara discuss what lessons Keir Starmer might learn from the last time Labour was in government.
policyfactory.org
July 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
As the welfare vote tonight threatens to divide the Labour Party, Steve King and Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31.bsky.social) discuss what lessons Keir Starmer could learn from Tony Blair and New Labour in our latest Policy Factory Podcast episode. policyfactory.org/podcast/what...
Reposted by Cat Gower
In our latest must-read article, Adam Wright looks at past government responses to dealing with epidemics, from Mad cow disease to Foot and Mouth to COVID, and outlines the dangers to democracy of following an exclusively techno-scientific approach.
policyfactory.org/article/from...
policyfactory.org/article/from...
Moral and Political pitfalls of scientific uncertainty in epidemiological crises
Modern governments have tended to rely heavily on a ‘follow the science’ response to epidemiological threats. However, epidemics are moments of both scientific uncertainty and social crisis. This pose...
policyfactory.org
June 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
In our latest must-read article, Adam Wright looks at past government responses to dealing with epidemics, from Mad cow disease to Foot and Mouth to COVID, and outlines the dangers to democracy of following an exclusively techno-scientific approach.
policyfactory.org/article/from...
policyfactory.org/article/from...
me: *putting up a little 'do not disturb' sign and closing the door
my cats at said door:
my cats at said door:
a cartoon of a girl standing in front of a door that says that sign can 't stop me because i can
ALT: a cartoon of a girl standing in front of a door that says that sign can 't stop me because i can
media.tenor.com
June 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
me: *putting up a little 'do not disturb' sign and closing the door
my cats at said door:
my cats at said door:
Reposted by Cat Gower
June 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Free badge and peg doll making at Crewe Makes on Victoria Street (ignore my first attempt) #crewepride
June 14, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Free badge and peg doll making at Crewe Makes on Victoria Street (ignore my first attempt) #crewepride
Crewe Pride today 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #crewepride
June 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Crewe Pride today 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #crewepride
Reposted by Cat Gower
This absolute icon at Canterbury Pride 🩷🤍🩵
June 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This absolute icon at Canterbury Pride 🩷🤍🩵
Reposted by Cat Gower
The intentional death by starvation, of babies. A slow and cruel death.
May 20, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The intentional death by starvation, of babies. A slow and cruel death.
Reposted by Cat Gower
"I'd crusade if the new Pope asked me to" wow, cool. What if he asked you to love and protect immigrants
May 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"I'd crusade if the new Pope asked me to" wow, cool. What if he asked you to love and protect immigrants
Reposted by Cat Gower
Tickets are now available on Eventbrite for the NTU History Postgraduate Conference 2025.
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People'!
Thursday 5 June, 10am-4.30pm at Boots Library, NTU City Campus.
Register for free at:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ntu-histor...
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People'!
Thursday 5 June, 10am-4.30pm at Boots Library, NTU City Campus.
Register for free at:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ntu-histor...
NTU History Postgraduate Conference 2025
The theme of this year's History Postgrad Conference at NTU is 'Power and the People'.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 15, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Tickets are now available on Eventbrite for the NTU History Postgraduate Conference 2025.
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People'!
Thursday 5 June, 10am-4.30pm at Boots Library, NTU City Campus.
Register for free at:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ntu-histor...
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People'!
Thursday 5 June, 10am-4.30pm at Boots Library, NTU City Campus.
Register for free at:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ntu-histor...
Reposted by Cat Gower
Following on from Keir Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech on Monday, Cat Gower (@catherinegower.bsky.social) takes some time away from tinkering with the Policy Factory website to reflect on Keir's use of language.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
How can it be anything but political?: Keir Starmer and an 'island of strangers'
On Monday 12 May, Keir Starmer announced his government's plans to reform the immigration system, tightening rules on who may reside in the UK. Although quickly denying any political incentive, the ti...
policyfactory.org
May 15, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Following on from Keir Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech on Monday, Cat Gower (@catherinegower.bsky.social) takes some time away from tinkering with the Policy Factory website to reflect on Keir's use of language.
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
policyfactory.org/comment_post...
Reposted by Cat Gower
Wake up, lads, new old Magna Carta just dropped! www.bbc.com/news/article...
Harvard cut-price Magna Carta 'copy' now believed genuine
Harvard Law School paid just $27 for the document, which UK academics now think is the real thing.
www.bbc.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Wake up, lads, new old Magna Carta just dropped! www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Cat Gower
NTU History Postgraduate Conference is back for 2025!
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People' with the conference taking place on 5 June.
We're looking for 15 minute papers on any historical research relating to this theme.
Deadline to apply: 2 May #callforpapers #skystorians
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People' with the conference taking place on 5 June.
We're looking for 15 minute papers on any historical research relating to this theme.
Deadline to apply: 2 May #callforpapers #skystorians
April 8, 2025 at 11:20 AM
NTU History Postgraduate Conference is back for 2025!
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People' with the conference taking place on 5 June.
We're looking for 15 minute papers on any historical research relating to this theme.
Deadline to apply: 2 May #callforpapers #skystorians
The theme for this year is 'Power and the People' with the conference taking place on 5 June.
We're looking for 15 minute papers on any historical research relating to this theme.
Deadline to apply: 2 May #callforpapers #skystorians