Dr Bea Stitches
@drelvey.bsky.social
Historian by training; textile artist by preference. Usually stitching something inspired by Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy. European.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
The Covid Inquiry’s findings are devastating. So many families suffered unimaginable loss, and their experiences must never be forgotten.
We must take these findings seriously and ensure we are far better prepared for the future. My thoughts are with all those who suffered.
We must take these findings seriously and ensure we are far better prepared for the future. My thoughts are with all those who suffered.
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
The Covid Inquiry’s findings are devastating. So many families suffered unimaginable loss, and their experiences must never be forgotten.
We must take these findings seriously and ensure we are far better prepared for the future. My thoughts are with all those who suffered.
We must take these findings seriously and ensure we are far better prepared for the future. My thoughts are with all those who suffered.
Just as I was giving “your assured friend” Lord Cromwell’s signature a nod, and smiling at his over-filled quill in the archives this afternoon, I received an exciting #StitchingCromwell invitation for Spring 2026. Managed not to scream there and then.
Watch this space.
Watch this space.
November 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Just as I was giving “your assured friend” Lord Cromwell’s signature a nod, and smiling at his over-filled quill in the archives this afternoon, I received an exciting #StitchingCromwell invitation for Spring 2026. Managed not to scream there and then.
Watch this space.
Watch this space.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
The report into Boris Johnson’s record during the Covid epidemic blames a ‘toxic, sexist and chaotic culture’ in Downing Street. Who’d have thought it?
November 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The report into Boris Johnson’s record during the Covid epidemic blames a ‘toxic, sexist and chaotic culture’ in Downing Street. Who’d have thought it?
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Extremely niche request, very unlikely to work: does anyone know anyone who specialises in analysis of historical handwriting??
November 18, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Extremely niche request, very unlikely to work: does anyone know anyone who specialises in analysis of historical handwriting??
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Making Little Red Riding Hoods for the Whitstable Artists and Makers Trail in 29/30 November…
Up to you whether the wolf is snuggling or stuffed…
#hasshenothingbettertodo
#feministchristmas
#feministart
#folklore
#fairytale
Up to you whether the wolf is snuggling or stuffed…
#hasshenothingbettertodo
#feministchristmas
#feministart
#folklore
#fairytale
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Making Little Red Riding Hoods for the Whitstable Artists and Makers Trail in 29/30 November…
Up to you whether the wolf is snuggling or stuffed…
#hasshenothingbettertodo
#feministchristmas
#feministart
#folklore
#fairytale
Up to you whether the wolf is snuggling or stuffed…
#hasshenothingbettertodo
#feministchristmas
#feministart
#folklore
#fairytale
On this day in 1501, Prince Arthur of Wales married Katherine of Aragon at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
On this day in 1501, Prince Arthur of Wales married Katherine of Aragon at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
Very much a fan of Charles the baby alligator 🐊 and his little smiley face.
I have the most wonderful story for you all today: baby alligator spotted in Charles River, then immediately rescued by local reptile enthusiast
November 14, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Very much a fan of Charles the baby alligator 🐊 and his little smiley face.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
At least 50% of Underground stations sound like an early 17th c plot to overthrow the Stuarts.
November 13, 2025 at 9:08 AM
At least 50% of Underground stations sound like an early 17th c plot to overthrow the Stuarts.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
It seems like a good day to share this excellent BBC Radio drama about far-right radicalisation and grooming.
Limelight - The Betrayed - Episode 1. Siblings - BBC Sounds
A brother's far-right activism creates a major dilemma for his Police Detective sister.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It seems like a good day to share this excellent BBC Radio drama about far-right radicalisation and grooming.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Check out this load of old bobbins!
The crew of the Mary Rose used them to store their sewing kits (thread around the spindle, needles and pins in a hollow space at the end), which they would use to repair damaged materials, such as this ripped cloth jerkin!
#Museum30 #Stitch
The crew of the Mary Rose used them to store their sewing kits (thread around the spindle, needles and pins in a hollow space at the end), which they would use to repair damaged materials, such as this ripped cloth jerkin!
#Museum30 #Stitch
November 8, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Find yourself something that makes you as happy as Edward Barlow's 'dolphin' was to 'swim in the sea'. #skystorians #earlymodern
(National Maritime Museum, Journal of Edward Barlow, JOD/4/197-210, 213-294)
(National Maritime Museum, Journal of Edward Barlow, JOD/4/197-210, 213-294)
November 4, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Find yourself something that makes you as happy as Edward Barlow's 'dolphin' was to 'swim in the sea'. #skystorians #earlymodern
(National Maritime Museum, Journal of Edward Barlow, JOD/4/197-210, 213-294)
(National Maritime Museum, Journal of Edward Barlow, JOD/4/197-210, 213-294)
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
'“Chatroom contributions are given equal status with serious academic work,” [Richard] Evans, an expert on the Third Reich, told the Guardian, after being invited to test out Grokipedia. “AI just hoovers up everything.”'
In Grok we don’t trust: academics assess Elon Musk’s AI-powered encyclopedia
From publishing falsehoods to pushing far-right ideology, Grokipedia gives chatroom comments equal status to research
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:47 AM
'“Chatroom contributions are given equal status with serious academic work,” [Richard] Evans, an expert on the Third Reich, told the Guardian, after being invited to test out Grokipedia. “AI just hoovers up everything.”'
Working Thomas Cromwell’s River. I’m surrounded by maps and nautical navigation charts and notes. Plus Wolf Hall on audio.
November 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Working Thomas Cromwell’s River. I’m surrounded by maps and nautical navigation charts and notes. Plus Wolf Hall on audio.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Halloween: the world's edge seeps and bleeds. This is the time when the tally-keepers of Purgatory, its clerks and gaolers, listen into the living, who are praying for the dead.
– Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall
– Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall
October 31, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Halloween: the world's edge seeps and bleeds. This is the time when the tally-keepers of Purgatory, its clerks and gaolers, listen into the living, who are praying for the dead.
– Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall
– Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
If you're a National Trust member, it's that time of year again: Midnight tonight is the deadline. It's a shame people have to keep doing this to keep a toehold on historical truth in this country, but here we are. Voting link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
![[Scene is the entrance cabin to a NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY AND GARDENS]
1
NATIONAL TRUST EMPLOYEE [inside cabin]:
Hello there
2
[A young family - two parents two kids - have arrived at the front desk].
DAD:
Hi - do you have an activity trail, for the kids?
3
NT EMPLOYEE:
Of course – you’re just in time for the Autumn Gammon Trail!
4
MUM:
That sounds fun, doesn’t it kids?
5
NT EMPLOYEE [handing an activity sheet and pencils to the kids]:
Every autumn, the Reform Trust gammons flock back to the National Trust for the AGM. Just follow the trail round the grounds, and see how many you can spot!
6
NT EMPLOYEE [hearing something in the gardens]:
Listen - that's their call
[Calls emanating from the landscape]:
tut-tut
woke-woke
7
NT EMPLOYEE [showing the family an apparently empty fenced enclosure with some bushes in]:
They are extremely sensitive and fragile...
But you can bring them out of hiding if you put a little sign down mentioning slavery.
8
KIDS [pointing]:
There they are!
[Some little red faced PEOPLE wearing Barbour jackets and gilets emerge cautiously from the bushes. They are creeping towards a TINY SIGN in the middle of the enclosure].
[Little people noises]:
woke-woke
tut-tut
woke-woke
9
[Close-up of the TINY SIGN - we can read that it says]:
Slavery had a bit to do with building this massive house.
[Noises from the little people again as they inspect the tiny sign]:
tut-tut
woke-woke
10
MUM [pointing]:
What's that one doing there?
NT EMPLOYEE:
Oh, that's so sweet…
11
[We see that one of the people is sat on a rock, with a little laptop open on a tree stump, and they are furiously typing away].
NT EMPLOYEE:
I think he's writing a column for the Daily Telegraph…
12
[We see close up to the little person’s screen, it is a word document reading]:
Are National Trust scones secretly WOKE?
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreib7lt736b6rmzinml5s7kxjdaapo2a36xp4d4lssypimx3taqicdm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM
If you're a National Trust member, it's that time of year again: Midnight tonight is the deadline. It's a shame people have to keep doing this to keep a toehold on historical truth in this country, but here we are. Voting link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
This is either the beginning of a new idea, or the reworking of an old one. Thomas Cromwell along the Thames. Not sure what I am doing yet.
October 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This is either the beginning of a new idea, or the reworking of an old one. Thomas Cromwell along the Thames. Not sure what I am doing yet.
In my studio with two of four of Thomas Cromwell’s queens: new work ready for next year’s @wolfhall.bsky.social Weekenx by the Tower.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
October 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
In my studio with two of four of Thomas Cromwell’s queens: new work ready for next year’s @wolfhall.bsky.social Weekenx by the Tower.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Productive time sketching at “Making Space” with @guildmedmak.bsky.social !
October 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Productive time sketching at “Making Space” with @guildmedmak.bsky.social !
A very cheering Zoom session with @guildmedmak.bsky.social at which I managed to complete three more #LettersToCromwell from 1529.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
October 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A very cheering Zoom session with @guildmedmak.bsky.social at which I managed to complete three more #LettersToCromwell from 1529.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
For Trafalgar Day.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
October 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
For Trafalgar Day.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
Why am I suddenly hit by an overwhelming desire to stitch the Civitas Londinum (c1561)? It would take years and I’m busy.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
October 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Why am I suddenly hit by an overwhelming desire to stitch the Civitas Londinum (c1561)? It would take years and I’m busy.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Don't just buy the newest books. All your favourite authors have excellent back catalogues of works they spent years on. Make sure you pick up those as well (and even better, they tend to be cheaper paperbacks by this point). Older history has value too.
October 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Don't just buy the newest books. All your favourite authors have excellent back catalogues of works they spent years on. Make sure you pick up those as well (and even better, they tend to be cheaper paperbacks by this point). Older history has value too.
Reposted by Dr Bea Stitches
Today's the 959th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, so obviously I'm reposting my scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry in Playmobil.
October 14, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Today's the 959th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, so obviously I'm reposting my scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry in Playmobil.
I needed to see transcripts of 1960’s interviews and broadcasts with filmmaker Maurice Elvey for my PhD thesis. There’s no way these would have formed part of a programme of releases or anniversaries; Mr Elvey and his views on the film industry, opera, and Chekhov have never been mainstream.
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 10:44 AM
I needed to see transcripts of 1960’s interviews and broadcasts with filmmaker Maurice Elvey for my PhD thesis. There’s no way these would have formed part of a programme of releases or anniversaries; Mr Elvey and his views on the film industry, opera, and Chekhov have never been mainstream.