Julian Humphrys
@juleshumphrys.bsky.social
Historian, writer, and guide. Lecturer on historical tours. Leads English Heritage battlefield walks. Scriptwriter for museum audio guides across the UK. www.julianhumphrys.com
Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge.
It's not as celebrated as her Armada address but the speech that Elizabeth I delivered in here during her 1564 visit to the university was a tour de force. You can find out more about her visit in my article in the latest issue of Tudor Places magazine.
It's not as celebrated as her Armada address but the speech that Elizabeth I delivered in here during her 1564 visit to the university was a tour de force. You can find out more about her visit in my article in the latest issue of Tudor Places magazine.
November 11, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge.
It's not as celebrated as her Armada address but the speech that Elizabeth I delivered in here during her 1564 visit to the university was a tour de force. You can find out more about her visit in my article in the latest issue of Tudor Places magazine.
It's not as celebrated as her Armada address but the speech that Elizabeth I delivered in here during her 1564 visit to the university was a tour de force. You can find out more about her visit in my article in the latest issue of Tudor Places magazine.
The setting sun creating its magic on the West Front of the Basilica of St Mary Magdalene in Vezelay last night. I love the shadows of the town buildings.
#burgundy
#burgundy
October 18, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The setting sun creating its magic on the West Front of the Basilica of St Mary Magdalene in Vezelay last night. I love the shadows of the town buildings.
#burgundy
#burgundy
On this day in 1338 French and Genoese raiders launched a surprise and highly destructive attack on Southampton. At the time there were no defensive walls on the dockside, making it easy for the attackers to get into the town. These impressive fortifications were built following the raid.
October 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
On this day in 1338 French and Genoese raiders launched a surprise and highly destructive attack on Southampton. At the time there were no defensive walls on the dockside, making it easy for the attackers to get into the town. These impressive fortifications were built following the raid.
I'm writing about Tudor Cambridge for a special edition of Tudor Places magazine. Here's the gatehouse vault of St John's College. It commemorates its foundress, Margaret Beaufort with her portcullis badge, marguerites (a play on her name) & forget-me-nots (a play on her 'souvent me souvient' motto)
August 3, 2025 at 9:47 AM
I'm writing about Tudor Cambridge for a special edition of Tudor Places magazine. Here's the gatehouse vault of St John's College. It commemorates its foundress, Margaret Beaufort with her portcullis badge, marguerites (a play on her name) & forget-me-nots (a play on her 'souvent me souvient' motto)
I absolutely love guiding round the Great Tower of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland. What might first appear to be a confusing maze of rooms, passages and staircases is in fact a carefully thought out layout designed to allow the household to function as efficiently as possible. #castles
May 11, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I absolutely love guiding round the Great Tower of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland. What might first appear to be a confusing maze of rooms, passages and staircases is in fact a carefully thought out layout designed to allow the household to function as efficiently as possible. #castles
Where better to eat a slice of simnel cake than on Piel Island, Cumbria, scene of a landing in 1487 by a certain Yorkist pretender to the throne?
The castle there's well worth a visit, even though you have to take a boat to get to it.
#lambertsimnel
The castle there's well worth a visit, even though you have to take a boat to get to it.
#lambertsimnel
April 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Where better to eat a slice of simnel cake than on Piel Island, Cumbria, scene of a landing in 1487 by a certain Yorkist pretender to the throne?
The castle there's well worth a visit, even though you have to take a boat to get to it.
#lambertsimnel
The castle there's well worth a visit, even though you have to take a boat to get to it.
#lambertsimnel
19 April 1775
'OK, chaps. We'll just nip over to Concord and seize a few weapons. Nobody will do anything about it and it'll all be forgotten in a couple of weeks.'
To find out what really happened, check out my article on the HistoryExtra website
www.historyextra.com/period/georg...
'OK, chaps. We'll just nip over to Concord and seize a few weapons. Nobody will do anything about it and it'll all be forgotten in a couple of weeks.'
To find out what really happened, check out my article on the HistoryExtra website
www.historyextra.com/period/georg...
April 19, 2025 at 12:13 PM
19 April 1775
'OK, chaps. We'll just nip over to Concord and seize a few weapons. Nobody will do anything about it and it'll all be forgotten in a couple of weeks.'
To find out what really happened, check out my article on the HistoryExtra website
www.historyextra.com/period/georg...
'OK, chaps. We'll just nip over to Concord and seize a few weapons. Nobody will do anything about it and it'll all be forgotten in a couple of weeks.'
To find out what really happened, check out my article on the HistoryExtra website
www.historyextra.com/period/georg...
April 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Just back from a great reunion at Emmanuel College Cambridge. The college chapel was certainly looking its best for the event.
#cambridge #christopherwren
#cambridge #christopherwren
March 30, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Just back from a great reunion at Emmanuel College Cambridge. The college chapel was certainly looking its best for the event.
#cambridge #christopherwren
#cambridge #christopherwren
Stunning views from the roofs of the great tower of Dover Castle & the bell tower of St Peter's Church in Sandwich. We visit both (plus Winchelsea, New Romney & Rye) on the Dover and the Cinque Ports tour I'm leading on 9-11 July. See www.traveleditions.co.uk for details
March 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Stunning views from the roofs of the great tower of Dover Castle & the bell tower of St Peter's Church in Sandwich. We visit both (plus Winchelsea, New Romney & Rye) on the Dover and the Cinque Ports tour I'm leading on 9-11 July. See www.traveleditions.co.uk for details
There was just enough time yesterday for a stroll round old Southampton before the inevitable disappointment of watching the city's football team. That's St Michael's Church in the background.
#southampton #historichampshire
#southampton #historichampshire
March 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
There was just enough time yesterday for a stroll round old Southampton before the inevitable disappointment of watching the city's football team. That's St Michael's Church in the background.
#southampton #historichampshire
#southampton #historichampshire
On the way home from leading a tour to Normandy. Our trip to Caen included a visit to the Abbaye aux Dames. Its foundress, Matilda of Flanders, Queen of England and wife of William the Conqueror, is buried in the church.
#Caen
#Caen
March 14, 2025 at 6:09 AM
On the way home from leading a tour to Normandy. Our trip to Caen included a visit to the Abbaye aux Dames. Its foundress, Matilda of Flanders, Queen of England and wife of William the Conqueror, is buried in the church.
#Caen
#Caen
@thejazzemu.bsky.social Loved the sock love-in in Guildford last night. Imagine my joy this morning when I was scrolling through your YouTube videos and this advert cropped up
March 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
@thejazzemu.bsky.social Loved the sock love-in in Guildford last night. Imagine my joy this morning when I was scrolling through your YouTube videos and this advert cropped up
Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge. In 1506 Henry VII donated 100 oak trees to build its roof. But it later transpired the trees weren't his to give as the estate they came from actually belonged to the Abbot of Westminster and Henry was obliged to write him a letter of apology.
February 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge. In 1506 Henry VII donated 100 oak trees to build its roof. But it later transpired the trees weren't his to give as the estate they came from actually belonged to the Abbot of Westminster and Henry was obliged to write him a letter of apology.
16 Feb 1646. Parliamentarians defeat Royalists at Great Torrington, Devon. Its church, which was being used as a powder store, was damaged by an explosion at the end of the battle; it was largely rebuilt 5 years later.
NB The date is Old Style, with the new year beginning at the end of March
#otd
NB The date is Old Style, with the new year beginning at the end of March
#otd
February 16, 2025 at 4:27 PM
16 Feb 1646. Parliamentarians defeat Royalists at Great Torrington, Devon. Its church, which was being used as a powder store, was damaged by an explosion at the end of the battle; it was largely rebuilt 5 years later.
NB The date is Old Style, with the new year beginning at the end of March
#otd
NB The date is Old Style, with the new year beginning at the end of March
#otd
Visited Winchester Cathedral yesterday. Here's the memorial there to Sir George Prevost who defended Canada against US aggression during the War of 1812.
#winchestercathedral #monuments #warof1812 #canada
#winchestercathedral #monuments #warof1812 #canada
February 14, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Visited Winchester Cathedral yesterday. Here's the memorial there to Sir George Prevost who defended Canada against US aggression during the War of 1812.
#winchestercathedral #monuments #warof1812 #canada
#winchestercathedral #monuments #warof1812 #canada
Memorial stone outside Winchester Cathedral to Thomas Thetcher of the North Hants Militia. The inscription says:
'Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier
Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer
Soldiers be wise by his untimely fall
And when ye're hot drink strong or none at all'
'Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier
Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer
Soldiers be wise by his untimely fall
And when ye're hot drink strong or none at all'
February 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Memorial stone outside Winchester Cathedral to Thomas Thetcher of the North Hants Militia. The inscription says:
'Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier
Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer
Soldiers be wise by his untimely fall
And when ye're hot drink strong or none at all'
'Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier
Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer
Soldiers be wise by his untimely fall
And when ye're hot drink strong or none at all'
Just getting in the mood to record my contribution to the Wars of the Roses Online History Festival, 21-23 March. For more info and tickets see:
warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk
#warsoftheroses
warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk
#warsoftheroses
February 6, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Just getting in the mood to record my contribution to the Wars of the Roses Online History Festival, 21-23 March. For more info and tickets see:
warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk
#warsoftheroses
warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk
#warsoftheroses
The sun is shining so brightly through the windows of King's College Chapel, it's projecting their pictures onto the opposite wall.
##stainedglass #cambridge #kingscollegechapel
##stainedglass #cambridge #kingscollegechapel
January 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The sun is shining so brightly through the windows of King's College Chapel, it's projecting their pictures onto the opposite wall.
##stainedglass #cambridge #kingscollegechapel
##stainedglass #cambridge #kingscollegechapel
Site of the last 'battle' on English soil between members of opposing armed forces, fought on 27 Sept 1940 when men of the London Irish Rifles who were billetted in the Sportsman pub, nr Whitstable, exchanged fire with the crew of a German Ju-88 which had crash landed nearby on Graveney Marsh.
January 21, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Site of the last 'battle' on English soil between members of opposing armed forces, fought on 27 Sept 1940 when men of the London Irish Rifles who were billetted in the Sportsman pub, nr Whitstable, exchanged fire with the crew of a German Ju-88 which had crash landed nearby on Graveney Marsh.
I'm currently working on a special issue of Tudor Places magazine focussing on Tudor Cambridge, and today I've been looking at Gonville and Caius College. This is the remarkable 16th century Gate of Honour which its students pass through on their way to graduate.
January 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I'm currently working on a special issue of Tudor Places magazine focussing on Tudor Cambridge, and today I've been looking at Gonville and Caius College. This is the remarkable 16th century Gate of Honour which its students pass through on their way to graduate.
I rather like the variations in the spellings of the royal motto at Hampton Court Palace. We have the traditional 'Dieu et mon droit' but we also have 'Deo et mun droit' and, my absolute favorite, ' Deo et mun drit'
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #heraldry #motto
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #heraldry #motto
January 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I rather like the variations in the spellings of the royal motto at Hampton Court Palace. We have the traditional 'Dieu et mon droit' but we also have 'Deo et mun droit' and, my absolute favorite, ' Deo et mun drit'
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #heraldry #motto
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #heraldry #motto
Some blue sky for @bsky.app. Taking advantage of the break in the weather and having a wander round Hampton Court Palace. Here are some standard shots. Some quirkier stuff will follow...
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #blueskythinking #brick
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #blueskythinking #brick
January 9, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Some blue sky for @bsky.app. Taking advantage of the break in the weather and having a wander round Hampton Court Palace. Here are some standard shots. Some quirkier stuff will follow...
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #blueskythinking #brick
#tudors #hamptoncourtpalace #blueskythinking #brick
Tucked away in a corner of Holy Trinity Church in Guildford is the slightly disturbing tomb of Archbishop of Canterbury George Abbot. In 1621 Abbot found himself at the centre of some controversy when he accidentally shot dead a gamekeeper with his crossbow while out hunting.
January 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Tucked away in a corner of Holy Trinity Church in Guildford is the slightly disturbing tomb of Archbishop of Canterbury George Abbot. In 1621 Abbot found himself at the centre of some controversy when he accidentally shot dead a gamekeeper with his crossbow while out hunting.
The Church of St John the Baptist, Cirencester.
On 6 January 1400 three not-so-wise men, the earls of Salisbury, Kent, and baron Lumley were seized in the town by the locals following the failure of their Epiphany Rising against King Henry IV and were quickly put to death.
#Epiphany
On 6 January 1400 three not-so-wise men, the earls of Salisbury, Kent, and baron Lumley were seized in the town by the locals following the failure of their Epiphany Rising against King Henry IV and were quickly put to death.
#Epiphany
January 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The Church of St John the Baptist, Cirencester.
On 6 January 1400 three not-so-wise men, the earls of Salisbury, Kent, and baron Lumley were seized in the town by the locals following the failure of their Epiphany Rising against King Henry IV and were quickly put to death.
#Epiphany
On 6 January 1400 three not-so-wise men, the earls of Salisbury, Kent, and baron Lumley were seized in the town by the locals following the failure of their Epiphany Rising against King Henry IV and were quickly put to death.
#Epiphany