Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
Once upon a time: banker then early modern historian. Always: day dreamer, curious. Favourite question: why? Likes: open minds. Interests: early modern religious and political history, moral philosophy and metaphysics, wandering and pondering, #BHAFC.
If you this post, post or quote post a tree.
March 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
If you this post, post or quote post a tree.
OK, so it didn't happen but don't you just feel it was so richly deserved and justified...
March 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
OK, so it didn't happen but don't you just feel it was so richly deserved and justified...
Now you really wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of these two would you?
Happy New Year to one and all!!!
Happy New Year to one and all!!!
December 31, 2024 at 5:22 PM
Now you really wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of these two would you?
Happy New Year to one and all!!!
Happy New Year to one and all!!!
But at least the sun is determined to show its face..
November 28, 2024 at 10:26 AM
But at least the sun is determined to show its face..
A misty morning at Marble Hill Park on the Thames at Twickenham.
November 28, 2024 at 9:09 AM
A misty morning at Marble Hill Park on the Thames at Twickenham.
November 13, 2024 at 3:43 PM
I woke up this morning with a quiet optimism - now completely gone.
I've spent some quiet time coming to terms with the fact that things are rarely as we would wish them to be. That is, of course, the nature of "things". So important to remember that and be at ease with it in the days to come.
I've spent some quiet time coming to terms with the fact that things are rarely as we would wish them to be. That is, of course, the nature of "things". So important to remember that and be at ease with it in the days to come.
November 6, 2024 at 8:09 AM
I woke up this morning with a quiet optimism - now completely gone.
I've spent some quiet time coming to terms with the fact that things are rarely as we would wish them to be. That is, of course, the nature of "things". So important to remember that and be at ease with it in the days to come.
I've spent some quiet time coming to terms with the fact that things are rarely as we would wish them to be. That is, of course, the nature of "things". So important to remember that and be at ease with it in the days to come.
"Sweet Thames run softly till I end my song". (Edmund Spenser, Prothalamion, 1596)
This stretch of the Thames between Twickenham and Richmond inspired Edmund Spenser over four hundred years ago and now it inspires me today. 🙏
This stretch of the Thames between Twickenham and Richmond inspired Edmund Spenser over four hundred years ago and now it inspires me today. 🙏
October 31, 2024 at 9:26 PM
"Sweet Thames run softly till I end my song". (Edmund Spenser, Prothalamion, 1596)
This stretch of the Thames between Twickenham and Richmond inspired Edmund Spenser over four hundred years ago and now it inspires me today. 🙏
This stretch of the Thames between Twickenham and Richmond inspired Edmund Spenser over four hundred years ago and now it inspires me today. 🙏
I never tire of wandering and pondering in this magical place, but Autumn makes it extra special.
#KewGardens
#KewGardens
October 31, 2024 at 9:14 PM
I never tire of wandering and pondering in this magical place, but Autumn makes it extra special.
#KewGardens
#KewGardens
The 398th anniversary of Lancelot Andrewes's death. Of special interest to me because my Oxford DPhil thesis was on Samuel Harsnett who had close links with Andrewes and followed in his footsteps as bishop of Chichester and master of Pembroke College.
September 25, 2024 at 8:24 AM
The 398th anniversary of Lancelot Andrewes's death. Of special interest to me because my Oxford DPhil thesis was on Samuel Harsnett who had close links with Andrewes and followed in his footsteps as bishop of Chichester and master of Pembroke College.
I can never quite get enough of Kew Gardens..
June 18, 2024 at 9:43 PM
I can never quite get enough of Kew Gardens..
Another favourite is this Templar cross (above the arch) on the main thoroughfare of this walled town. This is part of the “Via Francigena”, traditionally considered to be the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome and also followed by Crusaders on their way via Puglia to the Holy Land.
June 10, 2024 at 4:28 PM
Another favourite is this Templar cross (above the arch) on the main thoroughfare of this walled town. This is part of the “Via Francigena”, traditionally considered to be the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome and also followed by Crusaders on their way via Puglia to the Holy Land.
Still relishing our stay in San Gimignano known locally as the Manhattan of Tuscany - can't imagine why!
Perhaps the twin towers on one of the main squares contributed, though locals say that they were so named long before the ill fated NY version came along.
Perhaps the twin towers on one of the main squares contributed, though locals say that they were so named long before the ill fated NY version came along.
June 10, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Still relishing our stay in San Gimignano known locally as the Manhattan of Tuscany - can't imagine why!
Perhaps the twin towers on one of the main squares contributed, though locals say that they were so named long before the ill fated NY version came along.
Perhaps the twin towers on one of the main squares contributed, though locals say that they were so named long before the ill fated NY version came along.
We've just enjoyed a perfect evening.
It's difficult to convey the sense of gratitude we have for being able to enjoy this time, this place - the tranquility, beauty and fusion of man and natural setting is extraordinary.
It has to be shared..
It's difficult to convey the sense of gratitude we have for being able to enjoy this time, this place - the tranquility, beauty and fusion of man and natural setting is extraordinary.
It has to be shared..
June 4, 2024 at 8:42 PM
We've just enjoyed a perfect evening.
It's difficult to convey the sense of gratitude we have for being able to enjoy this time, this place - the tranquility, beauty and fusion of man and natural setting is extraordinary.
It has to be shared..
It's difficult to convey the sense of gratitude we have for being able to enjoy this time, this place - the tranquility, beauty and fusion of man and natural setting is extraordinary.
It has to be shared..
We booked this break back in February not knowing what was around the corner..
Two weeks later my wife went down with a life threatening dose of double pneumonia - with sepsis thrown in.
A deeply worrying time.
The prospect of this time away gave us something to aim for - and here we are..
Two weeks later my wife went down with a life threatening dose of double pneumonia - with sepsis thrown in.
A deeply worrying time.
The prospect of this time away gave us something to aim for - and here we are..
June 4, 2024 at 8:32 PM
We booked this break back in February not knowing what was around the corner..
Two weeks later my wife went down with a life threatening dose of double pneumonia - with sepsis thrown in.
A deeply worrying time.
The prospect of this time away gave us something to aim for - and here we are..
Two weeks later my wife went down with a life threatening dose of double pneumonia - with sepsis thrown in.
A deeply worrying time.
The prospect of this time away gave us something to aim for - and here we are..
San Gimignano, Tuscany.
Our first evening in this special place at what turns out to be a very special time...
Our first evening in this special place at what turns out to be a very special time...
June 4, 2024 at 8:11 PM
San Gimignano, Tuscany.
Our first evening in this special place at what turns out to be a very special time...
Our first evening in this special place at what turns out to be a very special time...
A few more of today's highlights..
May 23, 2024 at 5:47 PM
A few more of today's highlights..
"I don't want to return to the world outside these Gardens. All I want is to notice the dew on a leaf. The holy busyness of worms in the soil."
Tor Udall, A Thousand Paper Birds
I really cannot think of anything on this planet that raises my spirits more than a visit to Kew Gardens. I get it Tor..
Tor Udall, A Thousand Paper Birds
I really cannot think of anything on this planet that raises my spirits more than a visit to Kew Gardens. I get it Tor..
May 23, 2024 at 5:45 PM
"I don't want to return to the world outside these Gardens. All I want is to notice the dew on a leaf. The holy busyness of worms in the soil."
Tor Udall, A Thousand Paper Birds
I really cannot think of anything on this planet that raises my spirits more than a visit to Kew Gardens. I get it Tor..
Tor Udall, A Thousand Paper Birds
I really cannot think of anything on this planet that raises my spirits more than a visit to Kew Gardens. I get it Tor..
Well, it's a BlueSky sort of day in Twickenham..🙏
February 12, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Well, it's a BlueSky sort of day in Twickenham..🙏
There is a distinct lack of tolerance and a great deal too much certainty in the world today - I find it sad that words like this don't get heard enough...😕
January 25, 2024 at 8:48 AM
There is a distinct lack of tolerance and a great deal too much certainty in the world today - I find it sad that words like this don't get heard enough...😕
For no other reasons than this is a new platform (for me) and a new year here are some best memories from 2023..
January 2, 2024 at 4:16 PM
For no other reasons than this is a new platform (for me) and a new year here are some best memories from 2023..
Drop something blue from your gallery.
(Somehow it seems appropriate to post a blue sky - plus a blue sea and a blue landscape for good measure).
(Somehow it seems appropriate to post a blue sky - plus a blue sea and a blue landscape for good measure).
January 2, 2024 at 3:44 PM
Drop something blue from your gallery.
(Somehow it seems appropriate to post a blue sky - plus a blue sea and a blue landscape for good measure).
(Somehow it seems appropriate to post a blue sky - plus a blue sea and a blue landscape for good measure).