Charles Esdaile
@charlesesdaile.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor of History (University of Liverpool) living on the Isle of Man; veteran wargamer; long-term member of the Sealed Knot; specialist in Revolutionary and Napoleonic history, especially Spanish; strong supporter of Ukraine.
Dusk over Peel.
May 21, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Dusk over Peel.
Douglas harbour this afternoon: move over San Tropez!
May 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Douglas harbour this afternoon: move over San Tropez!
Now why don't I have much faith in this book as a work of history?
May 21, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Now why don't I have much faith in this book as a work of history?
As many people know, I don't do messing about in boats, but look what I was greeted by when I went to catch the bus from the end of my street the other morning! Atmospheric or what?
May 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
As many people know, I don't do messing about in boats, but look what I was greeted by when I went to catch the bus from the end of my street the other morning! Atmospheric or what?
And this is a very hot and sunny Peel the other day: here's hoping that the sun continues to shine all summer!
May 16, 2025 at 9:59 PM
And this is a very hot and sunny Peel the other day: here's hoping that the sun continues to shine all summer!
Douglas marina this afternoon- eat your heart out Saint Tropez!
May 16, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Douglas marina this afternoon- eat your heart out Saint Tropez!
To anyone conversant with Catholic history, the reference to Leo XIII was blindingly obvious from the very start. Meanwhile, it is an excellent choice as a subtle statement that Leo will follow in Francis' footsteps, while yet not simply cloning him.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Pope Leo XIV: What is behind the name Robert Prevost has chosen?
Due to a longstanding tradition, newly-elected popes are asked to change their names.
www.bbc.com
May 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
To anyone conversant with Catholic history, the reference to Leo XIII was blindingly obvious from the very start. Meanwhile, it is an excellent choice as a subtle statement that Leo will follow in Francis' footsteps, while yet not simply cloning him.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Re yesterday's events in Rome, as somebody whose birthday is 12 August, I have always believed that the best people are Leos!
May 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Re yesterday's events in Rome, as somebody whose birthday is 12 August, I have always believed that the best people are Leos!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Once again, all very positive. For all that I myself liked him,Papa Francesco was in some respects a divisive figure, so it is good to see that his replacement has such widespread support, while yet clearly standing for precisely the same values
Once again, all very positive. For all that I myself liked him,Papa Francesco was in some respects a divisive figure, so it is good to see that his replacement has such widespread support, while yet clearly standing for precisely the same values
Pope Leo XIV: Continuity the key for Pope seen as unifier
The new Pope is seen as someone who could unite traditionalist and progressive within the Church, writes the BBC's religion editor.
www.bbc.com
May 9, 2025 at 9:54 AM
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Once again, all very positive. For all that I myself liked him,Papa Francesco was in some respects a divisive figure, so it is good to see that his replacement has such widespread support, while yet clearly standing for precisely the same values
Once again, all very positive. For all that I myself liked him,Papa Francesco was in some respects a divisive figure, so it is good to see that his replacement has such widespread support, while yet clearly standing for precisely the same values
Habemus Papem: Deo gratias! I'm much heartened by the election of Cardinal Prevost. As for the title he's chosen, it's a gesture in the direction of Rerum Novarum, the great statement of Catholic social policy promulgated by Leo XIII in 1890. All very positive!!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV and first American pope?
After a conclave that lasted only three sessions and 24 hours, 133 cardinals have elected Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV.
www.bbc.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Habemus Papem: Deo gratias! I'm much heartened by the election of Cardinal Prevost. As for the title he's chosen, it's a gesture in the direction of Rerum Novarum, the great statement of Catholic social policy promulgated by Leo XIII in 1890. All very positive!!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Charles Esdaile
Please share. It helps everyone. 🙏😊
May 1, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Please share. It helps everyone. 🙏😊
www.bbc.com/news/article...
While most people on here would never eat at McDonald's, many of us have children & grandchildren who like doing so. Can I therefore humbly suggest that folks find an alternative venue for family outings? Americans need to learn that actions have consequences.
While most people on here would never eat at McDonald's, many of us have children & grandchildren who like doing so. Can I therefore humbly suggest that folks find an alternative venue for family outings? Americans need to learn that actions have consequences.
McDonald's loses US diners as they 'grapple with uncertainty'
The burger chain says its US customers are "grappling with uncertainty".
www.bbc.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
www.bbc.com/news/article...
While most people on here would never eat at McDonald's, many of us have children & grandchildren who like doing so. Can I therefore humbly suggest that folks find an alternative venue for family outings? Americans need to learn that actions have consequences.
While most people on here would never eat at McDonald's, many of us have children & grandchildren who like doing so. Can I therefore humbly suggest that folks find an alternative venue for family outings? Americans need to learn that actions have consequences.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Fearing the Greeks even when they bring gifts seems an excellent maxim here!
Fearing the Greeks even when they bring gifts seems an excellent maxim here!
Ukraine war: Putin suggests Russia open to direct talks with Kyiv, as strikes continue
Moscow launched strikes across Ukrainian cities hours after Putin said he was considering a pause on civilian targets.
www.bbc.com
April 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Fearing the Greeks even when they bring gifts seems an excellent maxim here!
Fearing the Greeks even when they bring gifts seems an excellent maxim here!
A very balanced analysis: while his papacy had its faults, Francis I was yet one of the greater popes of my lifetime.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Pope Francis was a vocal critic of the powerful with a profound influence
The informal Pope aimed to shift influence from Rome into hands of the faithful, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool writes.
www.bbc.com
April 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
A very balanced analysis: while his papacy had its faults, Francis I was yet one of the greater popes of my lifetime.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A humble question to folk interested in Victorian and Edwardian social and/or women's history. In brief, no fewer than four female connections of my family were pub landladies in poor areas of Southampton in the period 1870-1914. Was tavern keeping, then, a common profession for lower-class women?
April 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
A humble question to folk interested in Victorian and Edwardian social and/or women's history. In brief, no fewer than four female connections of my family were pub landladies in poor areas of Southampton in the period 1870-1914. Was tavern keeping, then, a common profession for lower-class women?
Reposted by Charles Esdaile
See my traffic before I was added to all the moderation lists? 😒
April 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
See my traffic before I was added to all the moderation lists? 😒
Reposted by Charles Esdaile
Like millions of fellow Catholics, I was deeply saddened to wake up this morning to the news of the death of Papa Francesco. Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him; may he rest in peace, amen.
April 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Like millions of fellow Catholics, I was deeply saddened to wake up this morning to the news of the death of Papa Francesco. Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him; may he rest in peace, amen.
Having spent much of the 1980's shuttling to and fro between the University of Southampton and Florida State University working on the link that produced the Wellington Congress, I was horrified to read this news. Best wishes to all concerned.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Florida State University: Man used police officer mum's gun to kill two at campus police say
The 20-year-old alleged gunman began shooting at around lunchtime near the student union building.
www.bbc.com
April 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Having spent much of the 1980's shuttling to and fro between the University of Southampton and Florida State University working on the link that produced the Wellington Congress, I was horrified to read this news. Best wishes to all concerned.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This is a horrible decision that is the product of ignorance and prejudice, not to mention an attack on a small, vulnerable and defenceless minority which wants nothing other than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As ever, hard cases make bad law.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Supreme Court backs 'biological' definition of woman
The landmark ruling could have major implications for how sex-based rights apply across Scotland, England and Wales.
www.bbc.com
April 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
This is a horrible decision that is the product of ignorance and prejudice, not to mention an attack on a small, vulnerable and defenceless minority which wants nothing other than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As ever, hard cases make bad law.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Hi @historicalsoton.bsky.social! Can you help? In brief, my gt-gt-g'father, Edmond Abraham, was the Capt. of the Vol. Fire Bgde that served Soton docks. Acc. to my Mum, his death in 9/1877 was brought on in consq. of a terrible fire he was called out to fight. Do you know anything re such an event?
April 11, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Hi @historicalsoton.bsky.social! Can you help? In brief, my gt-gt-g'father, Edmond Abraham, was the Capt. of the Vol. Fire Bgde that served Soton docks. Acc. to my Mum, his death in 9/1877 was brought on in consq. of a terrible fire he was called out to fight. Do you know anything re such an event?
To this day the funniest film I have ever seen!
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
'It was a magical chemical balance': How Monty Python and the Holy Grail became a comedy legend
Fifty years after Monty Python and the Holy Grail redefined comedy, stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam look back on the freedoms – and limitations – that shaped the film.
www.bbc.com
April 9, 2025 at 10:27 PM
To this day the funniest film I have ever seen!
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
Reposted by Charles Esdaile
War hero schools a chickenhawk.
April 9, 2025 at 1:58 AM
War hero schools a chickenhawk.
Reposted by Charles Esdaile
Radio Free Europe provides independent reporting to many countries where media freedom is threatened.
We‘ll work with partners including 🇨🇿 🇦🇹 🇧🇪 🇱🇹 🇱🇻 🇪🇪 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 🇸🇪 🇸🇮 to support RFE's award winning journalism.
The world needs media freedom.
We‘ll work with partners including 🇨🇿 🇦🇹 🇧🇪 🇱🇹 🇱🇻 🇪🇪 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 🇸🇪 🇸🇮 to support RFE's award winning journalism.
The world needs media freedom.
March 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Radio Free Europe provides independent reporting to many countries where media freedom is threatened.
We‘ll work with partners including 🇨🇿 🇦🇹 🇧🇪 🇱🇹 🇱🇻 🇪🇪 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 🇸🇪 🇸🇮 to support RFE's award winning journalism.
The world needs media freedom.
We‘ll work with partners including 🇨🇿 🇦🇹 🇧🇪 🇱🇹 🇱🇻 🇪🇪 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 🇸🇪 🇸🇮 to support RFE's award winning journalism.
The world needs media freedom.