Lauraine Hazelett
@laurainehazelet.bsky.social
Thinking about books, medieval manuscripts, & the 16th century | Art History Student | Writer | Loves Languages | 🍉
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On this day in 1644, John Milton (known for 'Paradise Lost') published 'Adelpagitica', a prose polemic against censorship and explicitly in favour of freedom of speech and of expression. Its publication was also during the English Civil War (with Milton on Cromwell's side).
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
On this day in 1644, John Milton (known for 'Paradise Lost') published 'Adelpagitica', a prose polemic against censorship and explicitly in favour of freedom of speech and of expression. Its publication was also during the English Civil War (with Milton on Cromwell's side).
An 11th century page of a manuscript containing texts on Saint Martin of Tours (4th century). The parchment in this case is actually pigshide, and the ink is a bit faded due to its comparatively lower quality to the manuscripts most of us are used to seeing.
Example of Carolingian script.
Example of Carolingian script.
November 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
An 11th century page of a manuscript containing texts on Saint Martin of Tours (4th century). The parchment in this case is actually pigshide, and the ink is a bit faded due to its comparatively lower quality to the manuscripts most of us are used to seeing.
Example of Carolingian script.
Example of Carolingian script.
Title page of the first Welsh (Cymraeg) translation of the Bible. Translated by William Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff and St. Asaph, who did so through his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. The New Testament had been translated into Welsh once before, in 1567.
Ink on paper, 1588.
Ink on paper, 1588.
November 17, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Title page of the first Welsh (Cymraeg) translation of the Bible. Translated by William Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff and St. Asaph, who did so through his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. The New Testament had been translated into Welsh once before, in 1567.
Ink on paper, 1588.
Ink on paper, 1588.
Simone Martini painted this Diptych c. 1333-40. It shows the Annunciation, telling Mary that she will become pregnant with Christ. The movement of Gabriël's garment shows us that he has just landed, and Mary's expression and posture are a prelude to him telling her be not afraid.
November 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Simone Martini painted this Diptych c. 1333-40. It shows the Annunciation, telling Mary that she will become pregnant with Christ. The movement of Gabriël's garment shows us that he has just landed, and Mary's expression and posture are a prelude to him telling her be not afraid.
Reposted by Lauraine Hazelett
Wonderful tribute to a teacher: young Sofonisba Anguissola paints herself being created by Bernardino Campi -- yet at same time, she is of course creating him! Today is her day.
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Wonderful tribute to a teacher: young Sofonisba Anguissola paints herself being created by Bernardino Campi -- yet at same time, she is of course creating him! Today is her day.
My favourite ocean liner dome is the one that was in the first class drawing room of the RMS Mauritania (1907). Whereas the White Star Line put theirs above the grand staircases, Cunard decorated luxury sitting areas with theirs.
Ocean liners were rather like buses mixed with hotels.
Ocean liners were rather like buses mixed with hotels.
November 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
My favourite ocean liner dome is the one that was in the first class drawing room of the RMS Mauritania (1907). Whereas the White Star Line put theirs above the grand staircases, Cunard decorated luxury sitting areas with theirs.
Ocean liners were rather like buses mixed with hotels.
Ocean liners were rather like buses mixed with hotels.
Titanic was far from the only ship with a glass dome. The White Star Line's SS Laurentic (1908) had a dome and grand staircase which already bore a number of features which the Olympic trio would later have as well, although it's certainly not as heavily decorated.
November 2, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Titanic was far from the only ship with a glass dome. The White Star Line's SS Laurentic (1908) had a dome and grand staircase which already bore a number of features which the Olympic trio would later have as well, although it's certainly not as heavily decorated.
Gouache on cardboard painting of Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, painted by Colin Campbell Cooper, who was a passenger of the Carpathia when this infamous historic event took place.
Carpathia's mad dash through the night and Captain Rostron's efforts are awe inspiring.
Carpathia's mad dash through the night and Captain Rostron's efforts are awe inspiring.
November 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Gouache on cardboard painting of Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, painted by Colin Campbell Cooper, who was a passenger of the Carpathia when this infamous historic event took place.
Carpathia's mad dash through the night and Captain Rostron's efforts are awe inspiring.
Carpathia's mad dash through the night and Captain Rostron's efforts are awe inspiring.
Reposted by Lauraine Hazelett
Return of the cows! Here they are along the Maas, near Dordrecht. By Aelbert Cuyp, of course, because it's been his birthday today.
October 21, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Return of the cows! Here they are along the Maas, near Dordrecht. By Aelbert Cuyp, of course, because it's been his birthday today.
The Dutch wear orange because of a coincidence. Prince William of Orange (1533-1584; NOT his great-grandson William III) was prince of the town of Orange in Southern France, at the time inexplicably part of not France but the Holy Roman Empire (blame Barbarossa).
September 16, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The Dutch wear orange because of a coincidence. Prince William of Orange (1533-1584; NOT his great-grandson William III) was prince of the town of Orange in Southern France, at the time inexplicably part of not France but the Holy Roman Empire (blame Barbarossa).
In October 2023, the website of the British Library was hacked and history enthusiasts and academics worldwide lost access to one of the best sources of Western manuscripts in existence.
They still haven't restored full functionality, as scanning the pages takes ages.
They still haven't restored full functionality, as scanning the pages takes ages.
September 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
In October 2023, the website of the British Library was hacked and history enthusiasts and academics worldwide lost access to one of the best sources of Western manuscripts in existence.
They still haven't restored full functionality, as scanning the pages takes ages.
They still haven't restored full functionality, as scanning the pages takes ages.
Victorian women could wear chatelaines, which were used for carrying keys and tools and the like.
Not only do they seem quite fashionable, but they also have more utilities than the average skirt or dress we can buy today (which often don't come with pockets).
Not only do they seem quite fashionable, but they also have more utilities than the average skirt or dress we can buy today (which often don't come with pockets).
September 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Victorian women could wear chatelaines, which were used for carrying keys and tools and the like.
Not only do they seem quite fashionable, but they also have more utilities than the average skirt or dress we can buy today (which often don't come with pockets).
Not only do they seem quite fashionable, but they also have more utilities than the average skirt or dress we can buy today (which often don't come with pockets).
This portrait of a young Elizabeth I shows how curiously Tudor corsets were shaped: straight down, elongating the body and practically removing breasts. The girdle further accentuates the lengthening of the torso.
(Side note: some ladies preferred a closed collar gown.)
(Side note: some ladies preferred a closed collar gown.)
September 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
This portrait of a young Elizabeth I shows how curiously Tudor corsets were shaped: straight down, elongating the body and practically removing breasts. The girdle further accentuates the lengthening of the torso.
(Side note: some ladies preferred a closed collar gown.)
(Side note: some ladies preferred a closed collar gown.)
According to one of my art history professors, Michelangelo was angry the entire time he painted the Sistine Chapel, because he considered himself a sculptor – considered by many to be the ultimate art form at the time.
Rather amusing, considering how we view his frescoes today.
Rather amusing, considering how we view his frescoes today.
September 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
According to one of my art history professors, Michelangelo was angry the entire time he painted the Sistine Chapel, because he considered himself a sculptor – considered by many to be the ultimate art form at the time.
Rather amusing, considering how we view his frescoes today.
Rather amusing, considering how we view his frescoes today.
Reposted by Lauraine Hazelett
Who wore it better: Elizabeth I (born this day 1533) in the Ditchley Portrait in 1592, or Glenda Jackson playing Elizabeth in 1971?
September 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Who wore it better: Elizabeth I (born this day 1533) in the Ditchley Portrait in 1592, or Glenda Jackson playing Elizabeth in 1971?
Christian saints of old often have amazing backstories (or hagiographies, as we call them), especially the folk saints. One of my favourites is the legendary Saint Guinefort, a French greyhound who was said to have saved his master's son from a snake.
Yes, this saint is a dog.
Yes, this saint is a dog.
September 6, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Christian saints of old often have amazing backstories (or hagiographies, as we call them), especially the folk saints. One of my favourites is the legendary Saint Guinefort, a French greyhound who was said to have saved his master's son from a snake.
Yes, this saint is a dog.
Yes, this saint is a dog.
The Great Fire of London ended today in 1666. Among the many buildings that were destroyed was Old Saint Paul's Cathedral.
This is a typographic etching made in 1875, as shown in Early Christian Architecture by Francis Bond (1913). (Includes the spire destroyed in a 1561 fire.)
This is a typographic etching made in 1875, as shown in Early Christian Architecture by Francis Bond (1913). (Includes the spire destroyed in a 1561 fire.)
September 5, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The Great Fire of London ended today in 1666. Among the many buildings that were destroyed was Old Saint Paul's Cathedral.
This is a typographic etching made in 1875, as shown in Early Christian Architecture by Francis Bond (1913). (Includes the spire destroyed in a 1561 fire.)
This is a typographic etching made in 1875, as shown in Early Christian Architecture by Francis Bond (1913). (Includes the spire destroyed in a 1561 fire.)
It's on humid days like these that I remember Dutchies used to wear multilayered clothing during the Little Ice Age.
This is a portrait by Frans Hals of Aletta Hannemans (1625). Don't make fun of her bridal stomacher; the extended effect is intended. Also, the lace is superb.
This is a portrait by Frans Hals of Aletta Hannemans (1625). Don't make fun of her bridal stomacher; the extended effect is intended. Also, the lace is superb.
September 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
It's on humid days like these that I remember Dutchies used to wear multilayered clothing during the Little Ice Age.
This is a portrait by Frans Hals of Aletta Hannemans (1625). Don't make fun of her bridal stomacher; the extended effect is intended. Also, the lace is superb.
This is a portrait by Frans Hals of Aletta Hannemans (1625). Don't make fun of her bridal stomacher; the extended effect is intended. Also, the lace is superb.
Romulus Augustus surrendered his crown to Odoacer on this day in 476 AD.
Don't let it distract you from how Theodoric ended Odoacer's reign in 493. Empires won through conquest *might* be short-lived.
19thC illustration from 'Cyclopedia of Universal History Volume 11'. 🧵
Don't let it distract you from how Theodoric ended Odoacer's reign in 493. Empires won through conquest *might* be short-lived.
19thC illustration from 'Cyclopedia of Universal History Volume 11'. 🧵
September 4, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Romulus Augustus surrendered his crown to Odoacer on this day in 476 AD.
Don't let it distract you from how Theodoric ended Odoacer's reign in 493. Empires won through conquest *might* be short-lived.
19thC illustration from 'Cyclopedia of Universal History Volume 11'. 🧵
Don't let it distract you from how Theodoric ended Odoacer's reign in 493. Empires won through conquest *might* be short-lived.
19thC illustration from 'Cyclopedia of Universal History Volume 11'. 🧵
Reposted by Lauraine Hazelett
Natural disaster du jour: Mount Vesuvius erupting, as seen from Posilippo, 1788. By Joseph Wright of Derby, born OTD 1734.
September 3, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Natural disaster du jour: Mount Vesuvius erupting, as seen from Posilippo, 1788. By Joseph Wright of Derby, born OTD 1734.
Almost failed to realise that today, September the 3rd, was the day Oliver Cromwell died (1658). Cromwell was of course famous for being Lord Protector of England during its brief stint without a monarch.
This is an anonymous portrait, copied after an original by Samuel Cooper.
This is an anonymous portrait, copied after an original by Samuel Cooper.
September 3, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Almost failed to realise that today, September the 3rd, was the day Oliver Cromwell died (1658). Cromwell was of course famous for being Lord Protector of England during its brief stint without a monarch.
This is an anonymous portrait, copied after an original by Samuel Cooper.
This is an anonymous portrait, copied after an original by Samuel Cooper.
Reposted by Lauraine Hazelett
John Staveley, wonderfully portrayed in an oil sketch by Joseph Wright of Derby, who was born on this day in 1734.
September 3, 2025 at 7:12 PM
John Staveley, wonderfully portrayed in an oil sketch by Joseph Wright of Derby, who was born on this day in 1734.
On September the 3rd, 301 AD, Saint Marinus the stonemason founded San Marino, the oldest republic still in existence.
This is an image of Saint Marinus as a hermit, working on a chapel with the San Marino in the background. Made by Raphaël Sadeler (1600).
This is an image of Saint Marinus as a hermit, working on a chapel with the San Marino in the background. Made by Raphaël Sadeler (1600).
September 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
On September the 3rd, 301 AD, Saint Marinus the stonemason founded San Marino, the oldest republic still in existence.
This is an image of Saint Marinus as a hermit, working on a chapel with the San Marino in the background. Made by Raphaël Sadeler (1600).
This is an image of Saint Marinus as a hermit, working on a chapel with the San Marino in the background. Made by Raphaël Sadeler (1600).