Sarah Elizabeth Cox
@oispooky.bsky.social
👩🏻💻 PR @britsciassoc.bsky.social
🥊 1880s boxing + wrestling historian
📕 THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR (Duckworth, Oct 2026)
✍🏻 Moscow, Munroe, Goodson, Wannop, Smith, Ball &c.
🤜🏻 Advisor #AThousandBlows
🏖️ Clacton-on-Sea 🖤
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
🥊 1880s boxing + wrestling historian
📕 THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR (Duckworth, Oct 2026)
✍🏻 Moscow, Munroe, Goodson, Wannop, Smith, Ball &c.
🤜🏻 Advisor #AThousandBlows
🏖️ Clacton-on-Sea 🖤
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
How wrestling was described by a Pall Mall Gazette writer in 1912. Or 1972. Or last week, who can really be sure.
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
How wrestling was described by a Pall Mall Gazette writer in 1912. Or 1972. Or last week, who can really be sure.
'New Threats. New Era. New Season.'
(New Poster)
Season II of A Thousand Blows streams 9 Jan 2026.
The completely unaffiliated, unconnected, in no way endorsed by Disney, book with the true stories of Hezekiah Moscow, Alec Munroe, Sugar Goodson - THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR - is published in Oct 😅👊🏻
(New Poster)
Season II of A Thousand Blows streams 9 Jan 2026.
The completely unaffiliated, unconnected, in no way endorsed by Disney, book with the true stories of Hezekiah Moscow, Alec Munroe, Sugar Goodson - THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR - is published in Oct 😅👊🏻
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
'New Threats. New Era. New Season.'
(New Poster)
Season II of A Thousand Blows streams 9 Jan 2026.
The completely unaffiliated, unconnected, in no way endorsed by Disney, book with the true stories of Hezekiah Moscow, Alec Munroe, Sugar Goodson - THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR - is published in Oct 😅👊🏻
(New Poster)
Season II of A Thousand Blows streams 9 Jan 2026.
The completely unaffiliated, unconnected, in no way endorsed by Disney, book with the true stories of Hezekiah Moscow, Alec Munroe, Sugar Goodson - THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR - is published in Oct 😅👊🏻
WHO IS THE TERRIBLE GREEK?
Antonio Pierri - find out his REAL name in a book chapter I'm writing - and Greek George both used the nom de plume as wrestlers in 1892. Greek George was upset about it, and turned up at the Sporting Life with a pile of newspapers as 'proof'. A classic match set-up!
Antonio Pierri - find out his REAL name in a book chapter I'm writing - and Greek George both used the nom de plume as wrestlers in 1892. Greek George was upset about it, and turned up at the Sporting Life with a pile of newspapers as 'proof'. A classic match set-up!
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
WHO IS THE TERRIBLE GREEK?
Antonio Pierri - find out his REAL name in a book chapter I'm writing - and Greek George both used the nom de plume as wrestlers in 1892. Greek George was upset about it, and turned up at the Sporting Life with a pile of newspapers as 'proof'. A classic match set-up!
Antonio Pierri - find out his REAL name in a book chapter I'm writing - and Greek George both used the nom de plume as wrestlers in 1892. Greek George was upset about it, and turned up at the Sporting Life with a pile of newspapers as 'proof'. A classic match set-up!
Ah, never a dull moment opening up the Famly app for a 'My Day' update. Baby's First Dexter Roleplay?
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Ah, never a dull moment opening up the Famly app for a 'My Day' update. Baby's First Dexter Roleplay?
Ava Gardner at 40 when she was incredibly beautiful but also looked like total filth and could drink you under a table was peak Ava Gardner.
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Ava Gardner at 40 when she was incredibly beautiful but also looked like total filth and could drink you under a table was peak Ava Gardner.
Can't thank the Lewisham Ledger enough for this headline. So good 😂. You'll find the latest about Miss Juno May on my website AND there will be more in women's wrestling essay collection Amazons of the Arena next year 🤼♀️ Please message me if you're up for a challenge!
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Can't thank the Lewisham Ledger enough for this headline. So good 😂. You'll find the latest about Miss Juno May on my website AND there will be more in women's wrestling essay collection Amazons of the Arena next year 🤼♀️ Please message me if you're up for a challenge!
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
"The Finest Specimen of Womanhood Extant" at the Empire, Dublin, 1907!
Who was Juno May? 💪🏻
'From Brockley' ALLEGEDLY.
Do YOU know? I'm working on it. I've been working on it for six years. We'll get there one day. More to come.
(She apparently did a v. good, very quick, very slick, elbow roll!)
Who was Juno May? 💪🏻
'From Brockley' ALLEGEDLY.
Do YOU know? I'm working on it. I've been working on it for six years. We'll get there one day. More to come.
(She apparently did a v. good, very quick, very slick, elbow roll!)
November 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
"The Finest Specimen of Womanhood Extant" at the Empire, Dublin, 1907!
Who was Juno May? 💪🏻
'From Brockley' ALLEGEDLY.
Do YOU know? I'm working on it. I've been working on it for six years. We'll get there one day. More to come.
(She apparently did a v. good, very quick, very slick, elbow roll!)
Who was Juno May? 💪🏻
'From Brockley' ALLEGEDLY.
Do YOU know? I'm working on it. I've been working on it for six years. We'll get there one day. More to come.
(She apparently did a v. good, very quick, very slick, elbow roll!)
The Goodwin Gymnasium ("three doors down from [the former] Shoreditch station") used to stand at 5 Kingsland Road, London - what is now a very closed milkshake shop, although I believe it was actually in that space to the right, incorporating the arches. Here's Jack Wellend V Alf Ball, 1890:
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 AM
The Goodwin Gymnasium ("three doors down from [the former] Shoreditch station") used to stand at 5 Kingsland Road, London - what is now a very closed milkshake shop, although I believe it was actually in that space to the right, incorporating the arches. Here's Jack Wellend V Alf Ball, 1890:
Fred got in trouble during the war for buying rationed maize and other cow feed, knowing it to be stolen. When the police came, his defence was that he didn't buy food for cows "because he only had 10 hens". They found it in a fridge. Then he got absolutely destroyed by the Bucks Herald 🤭
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Fred got in trouble during the war for buying rationed maize and other cow feed, knowing it to be stolen. When the police came, his defence was that he didn't buy food for cows "because he only had 10 hens". They found it in a fridge. Then he got absolutely destroyed by the Bucks Herald 🤭
Remembering my grandad, Thomas Walter Cox (1913-1987). He worked at the Packhorse Service Station near Dunstable with his dad, Fred, joined the 2nd Btn. Beds & Herts, got shot through the neck in N. Africa, May 1943, came home, married my nan, and got a job as an electroplater for Vauxhall cars.
November 9, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Remembering my grandad, Thomas Walter Cox (1913-1987). He worked at the Packhorse Service Station near Dunstable with his dad, Fred, joined the 2nd Btn. Beds & Herts, got shot through the neck in N. Africa, May 1943, came home, married my nan, and got a job as an electroplater for Vauxhall cars.
At her first interviews in 1906, 6ft 2 Lady Wrestler Miss Juno May huffed that she wished people would "stop asking if she was a woman suffragist" - confirming she wasn't.
V. fun that she may have JUST missed meeting Kitty Marion (see @drfernriddell.bsky.social Death in Ten Minutes) in 1907! 💥
V. fun that she may have JUST missed meeting Kitty Marion (see @drfernriddell.bsky.social Death in Ten Minutes) in 1907! 💥
November 8, 2025 at 10:42 AM
At her first interviews in 1906, 6ft 2 Lady Wrestler Miss Juno May huffed that she wished people would "stop asking if she was a woman suffragist" - confirming she wasn't.
V. fun that she may have JUST missed meeting Kitty Marion (see @drfernriddell.bsky.social Death in Ten Minutes) in 1907! 💥
V. fun that she may have JUST missed meeting Kitty Marion (see @drfernriddell.bsky.social Death in Ten Minutes) in 1907! 💥
Taking a break from The Devil's Dancefloor tonight to work on pinning down Miss Juno May for a forthcoming international essay collection on women's wrestling, past and present-ish. Out 2026 (I don't know how, when, where) edited by @physcstudy.bsky.social & US colleagues!
AMAZONS OF THE ARENA! 🤼♀️
AMAZONS OF THE ARENA! 🤼♀️
November 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Taking a break from The Devil's Dancefloor tonight to work on pinning down Miss Juno May for a forthcoming international essay collection on women's wrestling, past and present-ish. Out 2026 (I don't know how, when, where) edited by @physcstudy.bsky.social & US colleagues!
AMAZONS OF THE ARENA! 🤼♀️
AMAZONS OF THE ARENA! 🤼♀️
"Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten."
Gunner Sydney Wannop, Royal Field Artillery. Or Sidney Clarence Wannop, a New Cross, South East London, butcher and son of Jack and Miriam.
1896 - 1918
Gunner Sydney Wannop, Royal Field Artillery. Or Sidney Clarence Wannop, a New Cross, South East London, butcher and son of Jack and Miriam.
1896 - 1918
November 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten."
Gunner Sydney Wannop, Royal Field Artillery. Or Sidney Clarence Wannop, a New Cross, South East London, butcher and son of Jack and Miriam.
1896 - 1918
Gunner Sydney Wannop, Royal Field Artillery. Or Sidney Clarence Wannop, a New Cross, South East London, butcher and son of Jack and Miriam.
1896 - 1918
May Wade (nee Wannop), the striking taller girl in the photo, was in her mid 20s, married, and mum to a one-year-old. Her cause of death is unknown, but Spanish Flu might be a good guess. She's the first in the family plot in Brockley.
Sidney has no known grave, he died in battle in France aged 22.
Sidney has no known grave, he died in battle in France aged 22.
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
May Wade (nee Wannop), the striking taller girl in the photo, was in her mid 20s, married, and mum to a one-year-old. Her cause of death is unknown, but Spanish Flu might be a good guess. She's the first in the family plot in Brockley.
Sidney has no known grave, he died in battle in France aged 22.
Sidney has no known grave, he died in battle in France aged 22.
Many of the 1880s boxers and wrestlers I research were of an age to have sons who served in WWI.
Wrestling Champion Jack Wannop and wife Miriam had 10 children, two dying as babies. All four adult sons served.
This is Miriam with little Hilda, May and Sidney.
Both May and Sidney died in 1918.
Wrestling Champion Jack Wannop and wife Miriam had 10 children, two dying as babies. All four adult sons served.
This is Miriam with little Hilda, May and Sidney.
Both May and Sidney died in 1918.
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Many of the 1880s boxers and wrestlers I research were of an age to have sons who served in WWI.
Wrestling Champion Jack Wannop and wife Miriam had 10 children, two dying as babies. All four adult sons served.
This is Miriam with little Hilda, May and Sidney.
Both May and Sidney died in 1918.
Wrestling Champion Jack Wannop and wife Miriam had 10 children, two dying as babies. All four adult sons served.
This is Miriam with little Hilda, May and Sidney.
Both May and Sidney died in 1918.
Not sure what this chalk graffiti under the pier bridge in Clacton today is about EXACTLY, but it feels pretty good vibes 🤷🏻♀️
November 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Not sure what this chalk graffiti under the pier bridge in Clacton today is about EXACTLY, but it feels pretty good vibes 🤷🏻♀️
Lots of fun to be had!
Okay maybe not FUN. Unless your idea of fun is people with odd names punching each other then doing pint-of-wine induced murder. Which mine is.
This is from 1692. Two blokes "falling out about their Pedegrees to such a height" that one of them ended up dead:
Okay maybe not FUN. Unless your idea of fun is people with odd names punching each other then doing pint-of-wine induced murder. Which mine is.
This is from 1692. Two blokes "falling out about their Pedegrees to such a height" that one of them ended up dead:
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Lots of fun to be had!
Okay maybe not FUN. Unless your idea of fun is people with odd names punching each other then doing pint-of-wine induced murder. Which mine is.
This is from 1692. Two blokes "falling out about their Pedegrees to such a height" that one of them ended up dead:
Okay maybe not FUN. Unless your idea of fun is people with odd names punching each other then doing pint-of-wine induced murder. Which mine is.
This is from 1692. Two blokes "falling out about their Pedegrees to such a height" that one of them ended up dead:
His home art is both more advanced, and capable of being framed if I can be bothered to go to B&M.
Remember, remember.
Remember, remember.
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
His home art is both more advanced, and capable of being framed if I can be bothered to go to B&M.
Remember, remember.
Remember, remember.
Had to ask my son's nursery what this was about - they sent the photo to me today with no context. It's fireworks. It's an almost 2yr old child at a low budget Clacton nursery's artistic interpretation of fireworks.
November 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Had to ask my son's nursery what this was about - they sent the photo to me today with no context. It's fireworks. It's an almost 2yr old child at a low budget Clacton nursery's artistic interpretation of fireworks.
Ellen had serious headgear game.
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Ellen had serious headgear game.
If you see this image on social media re. the Forty Thieves or Elephants - the London gang that inspired the female characters in #AThousandBlows... yeah, no, these women are not them. They're from North Shields. It says NORTH SHIELDS on the signs. The Sun used it in February and never corrected...
November 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
If you see this image on social media re. the Forty Thieves or Elephants - the London gang that inspired the female characters in #AThousandBlows... yeah, no, these women are not them. They're from North Shields. It says NORTH SHIELDS on the signs. The Sun used it in February and never corrected...
RIP Ingrid Pitt 🦇🖤
October 31, 2025 at 10:19 AM
RIP Ingrid Pitt 🦇🖤
After a lifetime of Morticia Addams without even trying I've had a haircut and need to think outside the coffin this year. Anyone got a Great Dane I can borrow tomorrow? Should have time for some antics and mystery solving on my lunch break 😂
October 30, 2025 at 1:50 PM
After a lifetime of Morticia Addams without even trying I've had a haircut and need to think outside the coffin this year. Anyone got a Great Dane I can borrow tomorrow? Should have time for some antics and mystery solving on my lunch break 😂
He deserves better.
October 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
He deserves better.
Some developments with my book. If I've learned anything from a) my lads b) my website viewing stats... You've got to give the people what they want. Unless it's fighting a donkey. Or bear. Or puma. Don't do that.
I'll be hiding in my attic -
Expect THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR in *gulp* October 2026.
I'll be hiding in my attic -
Expect THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR in *gulp* October 2026.
October 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Some developments with my book. If I've learned anything from a) my lads b) my website viewing stats... You've got to give the people what they want. Unless it's fighting a donkey. Or bear. Or puma. Don't do that.
I'll be hiding in my attic -
Expect THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR in *gulp* October 2026.
I'll be hiding in my attic -
Expect THE DEVIL'S DANCEFLOOR in *gulp* October 2026.