Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
@lrylandepton.bsky.social
Historian & contributing editor for VCH @wiltshistory.bsky.social & @vchgloucester.bsky.social.
Fellow @ihr.bsky.social.
Ed. at @hobnobpress.bsky.social & Crime, Histories & Societies.
VF @openuniversity.bsky.social
https://www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/
Fellow @ihr.bsky.social.
Ed. at @hobnobpress.bsky.social & Crime, Histories & Societies.
VF @openuniversity.bsky.social
https://www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/
While I was working in the reading rooms @gladlib.bsky.social the Xmas decorations came out. I hope #Gladstone approves.
November 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
While I was working in the reading rooms @gladlib.bsky.social the Xmas decorations came out. I hope #Gladstone approves.
At the @gladlib.bsky.social library this week working on #JohnAubrey from who I learned today that churches are ‘despicable all over Hampshire’ and a goose was once inserted into a tunnel under Bradenstoke Priory. It emerged several miles away by a well on the Malmesbury Rd minus its feathers.🪿
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
At the @gladlib.bsky.social library this week working on #JohnAubrey from who I learned today that churches are ‘despicable all over Hampshire’ and a goose was once inserted into a tunnel under Bradenstoke Priory. It emerged several miles away by a well on the Malmesbury Rd minus its feathers.🪿
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
All shares of this much-appreciated. Sorry if it's boring. Just another instance of me attempting to rehabilitate one of my books after my ex-publisher Unbound failed to pay me a large chunk of earnings from it, went into administration and took it temporarily out of print.
I'm giving away two signed copies of my (recently republished) book 21st-Century Yokel, with two postcards of this fab otters linocut by my mum, Jo.
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
November 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
All shares of this much-appreciated. Sorry if it's boring. Just another instance of me attempting to rehabilitate one of my books after my ex-publisher Unbound failed to pay me a large chunk of earnings from it, went into administration and took it temporarily out of print.
Delighted to be starting work for @vch-home.bsky.social in Herefordshire on #Ledbury with Alastair Ayton. Looking forward to seeing what this gorgeous place has in store for us. 😁
November 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Delighted to be starting work for @vch-home.bsky.social in Herefordshire on #Ledbury with Alastair Ayton. Looking forward to seeing what this gorgeous place has in store for us. 😁
Having written a history of this village for @wiltshistory.bsky.social I am not surprised by this news. What a great idea.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Christian Malford villagers become drag queens for charity calendar
The calendar was inspired by various village events and is in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Having written a history of this village for @wiltshistory.bsky.social I am not surprised by this news. What a great idea.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
VISITING FELLOWSHIPS: Applications are now open for 2026-27!
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 November 2025.
For more information on how to apply: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/csb/fellowships/bodleian-visiting-fellowships
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 November 2025.
For more information on how to apply: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/csb/fellowships/bodleian-visiting-fellowships
November 12, 2025 at 4:12 PM
VISITING FELLOWSHIPS: Applications are now open for 2026-27!
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 November 2025.
For more information on how to apply: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/csb/fellowships/bodleian-visiting-fellowships
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 November 2025.
For more information on how to apply: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/csb/fellowships/bodleian-visiting-fellowships
I have such a cool job. This is what I have written today (albeit at great speed so hoping no typos). It will be explored in an exhibition I am doing with @chippenhammuseum.bsky.social part of the @wiltshistory.bsky.social celeb. for their new red book!
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/curious...
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/curious...
Curious Cures: From Disembowelled Snails to Strapped-On Fish — Wiltshire Victoria County History
John Aubrey (1626-1697) was somewhat preoccupied with his health. The polymath was not alone among fellow founder members of the Royal Society to note down remedies of his own devising or those he col...
www.wiltshirehistory.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I have such a cool job. This is what I have written today (albeit at great speed so hoping no typos). It will be explored in an exhibition I am doing with @chippenhammuseum.bsky.social part of the @wiltshistory.bsky.social celeb. for their new red book!
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/curious...
www.wiltshirehistory.org/news/curious...
A sketch that the artist, Salina Gani, created as I described a story I had researched. Part of a Digital Storytelling Workshop where I am having fun, but not being very productive (due to my own tech issues 😅).
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A sketch that the artist, Salina Gani, created as I described a story I had researched. Part of a Digital Storytelling Workshop where I am having fun, but not being very productive (due to my own tech issues 😅).
This morning from the site of Bottreaux castle, Cornwall before the rain.
November 9, 2025 at 10:49 AM
This morning from the site of Bottreaux castle, Cornwall before the rain.
Boscastle this evening walking back from a shanty festival. 😁
November 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Boscastle this evening walking back from a shanty festival. 😁
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
The most incredible library in the world, @bodleian.ox.ac.uk opened to OTD 1602, through the energy, money & commitment of Sir Thomas Bodley. It began with 5k books, & now more than 22m, with 2m+reader visits a year, & multi-million online users across the globe. Privilged to be its 25th librarian!
November 8, 2025 at 7:20 AM
The most incredible library in the world, @bodleian.ox.ac.uk opened to OTD 1602, through the energy, money & commitment of Sir Thomas Bodley. It began with 5k books, & now more than 22m, with 2m+reader visits a year, & multi-million online users across the globe. Privilged to be its 25th librarian!
At Boscastle, Cornwall, home of a Witchcraft Museum.
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 AM
At Boscastle, Cornwall, home of a Witchcraft Museum.
Had an amazing day at the Courtauld Gallery followed by @cathamclarke.bsky.social giving a lecture on ‘radical’ popular history @ihr.bsky.social What a combination!
November 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Had an amazing day at the Courtauld Gallery followed by @cathamclarke.bsky.social giving a lecture on ‘radical’ popular history @ihr.bsky.social What a combination!
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
Happy Halloween! 🎃
October 31, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Happy Halloween! 🎃
It is Halloween 🎃 & here is a ghost story 👻
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Ghost Riders: Forgotten Hauntings from 17th-Century Wiltshire — Louise Ryland-Epton
In about 1671, parson Symonds, who was then serving at All Saints church, Garsdon near Malmesbury, was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 7:58 AM
It is Halloween 🎃 & here is a ghost story 👻
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
Next in my #Halloween 🎃 countdown is very odd - what happened when a cloud entered a church during divine service in 1652 and wreaked havoc 4/6
This story began like others in the unpublished writings of #JohnAubrey.
I will be publishing a book in 2026.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/death-b...
This story began like others in the unpublished writings of #JohnAubrey.
I will be publishing a book in 2026.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/death-b...
Death by Golden Thunderbolt — Louise Ryland-Epton
In the archives of the Royal Society is a 17th-century scientific paper by the natural philosopher John Aubrey, in which he describes extreme weather events. One of the most extreme was the 'tempest a...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Next in my #Halloween 🎃 countdown is very odd - what happened when a cloud entered a church during divine service in 1652 and wreaked havoc 4/6
This story began like others in the unpublished writings of #JohnAubrey.
I will be publishing a book in 2026.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/death-b...
This story began like others in the unpublished writings of #JohnAubrey.
I will be publishing a book in 2026.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/death-b...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
As has rightly been pointed out to me it is, in fact, not yet 2026*
Sooo... Gulliver's Travels is 300 *next* year. What do we have planned?!
*I blame overwork plus the fact that I first mentally noted this anniversary 12 years ago, which is ages to wait!
www.theguardian.com/science/the-...
Sooo... Gulliver's Travels is 300 *next* year. What do we have planned?!
*I blame overwork plus the fact that I first mentally noted this anniversary 12 years ago, which is ages to wait!
www.theguardian.com/science/the-...
October 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
As has rightly been pointed out to me it is, in fact, not yet 2026*
Sooo... Gulliver's Travels is 300 *next* year. What do we have planned?!
*I blame overwork plus the fact that I first mentally noted this anniversary 12 years ago, which is ages to wait!
www.theguardian.com/science/the-...
Sooo... Gulliver's Travels is 300 *next* year. What do we have planned?!
*I blame overwork plus the fact that I first mentally noted this anniversary 12 years ago, which is ages to wait!
www.theguardian.com/science/the-...
For no reason other than my obsession with the topic, I have decided to count down to #Halloween 🧙🎃👻 with a suitable daily blog. Stuff I’ve been excited about over the year, sometimes related to #JohnAubrey & his pals. My book on Aubrey is out 2026. 😁 1/6
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/involun...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/involun...
‘Involuntary’ Witches: The Case of Lee & Snigg — Louise Ryland-Epton
In 1832 an article titled ‘Anecdotes of Witchcraft in Wiltshire’ appeared in the Gentleman’s Magazine . The piece was copied from a manuscript of 1686 penned by an unnamed individual, but now identif...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
For no reason other than my obsession with the topic, I have decided to count down to #Halloween 🧙🎃👻 with a suitable daily blog. Stuff I’ve been excited about over the year, sometimes related to #JohnAubrey & his pals. My book on Aubrey is out 2026. 😁 1/6
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/involun...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/involun...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
"Forgotten hauntings" for #PhantomsFriday by @lrylandepton.bsky.social
C.1671 parson Symonds of Garsdon, Wilts was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse 🐎 👻 🫣 #ghoststories #17thCentury #JohnAubrey
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Ghost Riders: Forgotten Hauntings from 17th-Century Wiltshire — Louise Ryland-Epton
In about 1671, parson Symonds, who was then serving at All Saints church, Garsdon near Malmesbury, was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
"Forgotten hauntings" for #PhantomsFriday by @lrylandepton.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
We love this book! Discover Compton Chamberlayne's hidden past—centuries of feudal life, family conflicts & rural struggles in Wilts chalk country. Through manor records, wills & court cases, explore how forgotten families shaped this village. #LocalHistory www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/thes...
These Humble, Unremembered Lives: Stories of Families passing through Compton Chamberlayne, by Elise Langdon-Neuner — Hobnob Press
Compton Chamberlayne's social history over four centuries, recounted through the forgotten stories of over twenty families who lived there for different periods, presents an authentic example of bygon...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
We love this book! Discover Compton Chamberlayne's hidden past—centuries of feudal life, family conflicts & rural struggles in Wilts chalk country. Through manor records, wills & court cases, explore how forgotten families shaped this village. #LocalHistory www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/thes...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
We have been quiet the last few months, but we have actually been very busy publishing some lovely new books, including this by @lrylandepton.bsky.social
www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/lang...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/lang...
Langley Burrell and Kellaways: a History, by Louise Ryland-Epton — Hobnob Press
Through riots and revelries, poverty and prosperity, the people of Langley Burrell and neighbouring Kellaways in north Wiltshire have adapted to centuries of change. In this thematic history of the pa...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 8:28 AM
We have been quiet the last few months, but we have actually been very busy publishing some lovely new books, including this by @lrylandepton.bsky.social
www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/lang...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/lang...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
📅 Save the Date!
🎉 To mark 50 years of the Social History Society, we’re hosting a Social History Festival with @ihr.bsky.social!
🗓️ Fri 24 April 2026
📍 Senate House, University of London
Panels, a keynote + hands-on activities!
💡 Want to contribute? 👉socialhistsoc@gmail.com
More info coming soon!
🎉 To mark 50 years of the Social History Society, we’re hosting a Social History Festival with @ihr.bsky.social!
🗓️ Fri 24 April 2026
📍 Senate House, University of London
Panels, a keynote + hands-on activities!
💡 Want to contribute? 👉socialhistsoc@gmail.com
More info coming soon!
October 22, 2025 at 8:27 AM
📅 Save the Date!
🎉 To mark 50 years of the Social History Society, we’re hosting a Social History Festival with @ihr.bsky.social!
🗓️ Fri 24 April 2026
📍 Senate House, University of London
Panels, a keynote + hands-on activities!
💡 Want to contribute? 👉socialhistsoc@gmail.com
More info coming soon!
🎉 To mark 50 years of the Social History Society, we’re hosting a Social History Festival with @ihr.bsky.social!
🗓️ Fri 24 April 2026
📍 Senate House, University of London
Panels, a keynote + hands-on activities!
💡 Want to contribute? 👉socialhistsoc@gmail.com
More info coming soon!
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
C.1671 parson Symonds of Garsdon, Wilts was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse 🐎 👻 🫣 #ghoststories #17thCentury #JohnAubrey
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Ghost Riders: Forgotten Hauntings from 17th-Century Wiltshire — Louise Ryland-Epton
In about 1671, parson Symonds, who was then serving at All Saints church, Garsdon near Malmesbury, was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
C.1671 parson Symonds of Garsdon, Wilts was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse 🐎 👻 🫣 #ghoststories #17thCentury #JohnAubrey
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Reposted by Dr Louise Ryland-Epton
Cracking (thundering?) early modern spooky stories for the Halloween season.
It’s now out! Hope you like it. www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Ghost Riders: Forgotten Hauntings from 17th-Century Wiltshire — Louise Ryland-Epton
In about 1671, parson Symonds, who was then serving at All Saints church, Garsdon near Malmesbury, was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Cracking (thundering?) early modern spooky stories for the Halloween season.
C.1671 parson Symonds of Garsdon, Wilts was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse 🐎 👻 🫣 #ghoststories #17thCentury #JohnAubrey
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
Ghost Riders: Forgotten Hauntings from 17th-Century Wiltshire — Louise Ryland-Epton
In about 1671, parson Symonds, who was then serving at All Saints church, Garsdon near Malmesbury, was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
C.1671 parson Symonds of Garsdon, Wilts was riding home late when a ghostly spectre leapt up behind him on his horse 🐎 👻 🫣 #ghoststories #17thCentury #JohnAubrey
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/ghost-r...