Adam Chapman
@adamchapman.bsky.social
Medieval historian interested in Wales, Somerset exile, inept cricketer, General Editor of the longest-running and largest local history project yet devised, the Victoria County History of England. Probably drinking tea.
Pinned
Adam Chapman
@adamchapman.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Good morning (UK time), to new followers.
I’m a medieval historian working on Wales 🏴 (personally), and using the lens of place, working on the histories of England from way back to right now, editing the amazing @vchlondon.bsky.social.
Also, place, landscapes, cricket (sorry), fuelled by tea.
I’m a medieval historian working on Wales 🏴 (personally), and using the lens of place, working on the histories of England from way back to right now, editing the amazing @vchlondon.bsky.social.
Also, place, landscapes, cricket (sorry), fuelled by tea.
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary:
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
November 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary:
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Well
November 29, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Well
The mincemeat at the back of the cupboard (sealed), has been broached, pastry made, and of course the cooks distracted, hence the leakage.
November 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The mincemeat at the back of the cupboard (sealed), has been broached, pastry made, and of course the cooks distracted, hence the leakage.
In short, this Telegraph story should never have made it as far as the subs desk.
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
November 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
In short, this Telegraph story should never have made it as far as the subs desk.
Reposted by Adam Chapman
#IMC2026, Weds, 8 July, 7pm! Four medievalists who've published 'trade' books will discuss the process - from finding an agent to working with publishers & beyond. Sponsored by @ihr.bsky.social. @realmandeville.bsky.social @saracharles.bsky.social @eleanormaybaker.bsky.social @imc-leeds.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
#IMC2026, Weds, 8 July, 7pm! Four medievalists who've published 'trade' books will discuss the process - from finding an agent to working with publishers & beyond. Sponsored by @ihr.bsky.social. @realmandeville.bsky.social @saracharles.bsky.social @eleanormaybaker.bsky.social @imc-leeds.bsky.social
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Our conservator has been hard at work restoring some of our palm leaf manuscripts. These are fragile and prone to breakage but available for consultation again after conservation. #EYAConservation
November 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Our conservator has been hard at work restoring some of our palm leaf manuscripts. These are fragile and prone to breakage but available for consultation again after conservation. #EYAConservation
Reposted by Adam Chapman
💯 this. Thatcher & Kinnock were probably no cleverer than most politicians today. But read their speeches: they made serious arguments about the nature of the state & the meaning of democracy.
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
We have got to make politics intellectual again. It is the only way that societies thrive is when politicians have the capability to actually think and reflect deeply:
![I confess that I always had difficulty with interpreting the Biblical precept to love our neighbours “as ourselves” until I read some of the words of C.S. Lewis. He pointed out that we don't exactly love ourselves when we fall below the standards and beliefs we have accepted. Indeed we might even hate ourselves for some unworthy deed.
None of this, of course, tells us exactly what kind of political and social institutions we should have. On this point, Christians will very often genuinely disagree, though it is a mark of Christian manners that they will do so with courtesy and mutual respect. [Applause] What is certain, however, is that any set of social and economic arrangements which is not founded on the acceptance of individual responsibility will do nothing but harm.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xbnsfdtxoothg654ujxe3p25/bafkreicrdgbtvm54qnmttwe6crhxwt4be5v3izjmqtnvlxmaljwg5wolai@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
💯 this. Thatcher & Kinnock were probably no cleverer than most politicians today. But read their speeches: they made serious arguments about the nature of the state & the meaning of democracy.
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
Reposted by Adam Chapman
The 1975 BAOS Pirates must have been really something
So, happy 50th anniversary to Melody Maker’s review of Bohemian Rhapsody: “Queen, with a suitably baroque vocal orchestration, contrive to approximate the demented fury of the Balham Amateur Operatic Society performing The Pirates of Penzance”
November 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The 1975 BAOS Pirates must have been really something
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Explore the history and condition of St Tyfrydog's, Llandyfrydog, Anglesey with our Director, Rachel Morley.
November 29, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Explore the history and condition of St Tyfrydog's, Llandyfrydog, Anglesey with our Director, Rachel Morley.
Reposted by Adam Chapman
I don’t know how many ways there are to say “Manchester’s economy is growing, so if we’re not going to do much proactive on infrastructure, can we at least not do stuff that’s actively damaging”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Soon-to-be-axed 7am Manchester-London train will still run – but without passengers
Exclusive: Rail regulator pulls Avanti service from timetable from mid-December but it is needed for staff travel
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I don’t know how many ways there are to say “Manchester’s economy is growing, so if we’re not going to do much proactive on infrastructure, can we at least not do stuff that’s actively damaging”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Adam Chapman
The Royal Historical Society is a membership organisation of 7000+ historians, UK and RoW. We welcome historians to join us at any time: our next closing date is 15 December.
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
November 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The Royal Historical Society is a membership organisation of 7000+ historians, UK and RoW. We welcome historians to join us at any time: our next closing date is 15 December.
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
We offer membership categories for all kinds of historians and at all stages of research: bit.ly/46V8WOQ #Skystorians 1/2
Reposted by Adam Chapman
So how exactly are they meant to get to them? Many are placed in areas without accessible transport links. They can't afford to pay for journeys themselves because of how little support they get.
Yet again Labour choosing to pander to Reform than think of consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yet again Labour choosing to pander to Reform than think of consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government to ban asylum seekers from using taxis
The ban is set to come in February and any exemptions will have to be signed off by the Home Office.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:47 AM
So how exactly are they meant to get to them? Many are placed in areas without accessible transport links. They can't afford to pay for journeys themselves because of how little support they get.
Yet again Labour choosing to pander to Reform than think of consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yet again Labour choosing to pander to Reform than think of consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Reckoned the story of the Bibby Stockholm couldn't get worse for the UK home office? How about if the barge's manager had told the Australian stock market it had overcharged some UK customers? www.ft.com/content/6b6d...
Bibby Stockholm operator overcharged British customers by £80mn
Corporate Travel Management suspends head of UK division as it announces KPMG probe
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reckoned the story of the Bibby Stockholm couldn't get worse for the UK home office? How about if the barge's manager had told the Australian stock market it had overcharged some UK customers? www.ft.com/content/6b6d...
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Yesterday, @jack-newman.com (and friends) came to look at our archive - specifically some of the 6 linear metres of unpublished material relating to #Kent.
This will support work on #Maidstone, and will also help us scope the condition of the material and the work needed to catalogue it fully. 🗃️
This will support work on #Maidstone, and will also help us scope the condition of the material and the work needed to catalogue it fully. 🗃️
November 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Yesterday, @jack-newman.com (and friends) came to look at our archive - specifically some of the 6 linear metres of unpublished material relating to #Kent.
This will support work on #Maidstone, and will also help us scope the condition of the material and the work needed to catalogue it fully. 🗃️
This will support work on #Maidstone, and will also help us scope the condition of the material and the work needed to catalogue it fully. 🗃️
Reposted by Adam Chapman
If you have the means I highly recommend the cause of supporting a fellow scholar
The @royalhistsoc.org is running a charitable donation campaign to fund the research of historians who lack support. The number of applications we're seeing is way up. I've been very lucky to have a career as a historian, I've donated, and I think this Christmas you should too. Pay it forward.
royalhistoricalsociety2.beaconforms.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 AM
If you have the means I highly recommend the cause of supporting a fellow scholar
Reposted by Adam Chapman
The only library in London with a section on divination.
November 28, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The only library in London with a section on divination.
Yet again, I have this sense that I've read a different book.
And the claim that the [checks notes] Roman Empire wasn't a state is... boldly revisionist.
And the claim that the [checks notes] Roman Empire wasn't a state is... boldly revisionist.
November 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Yet again, I have this sense that I've read a different book.
And the claim that the [checks notes] Roman Empire wasn't a state is... boldly revisionist.
And the claim that the [checks notes] Roman Empire wasn't a state is... boldly revisionist.
Reposted by Adam Chapman
BBC News is also a good example. Historically technocratic, sees the world is changing, attempts to compensate through bothsidesism (effectively procedural populism), fails to please anyone and in so doing compromises its essential quality (technocracy).
Combine those various factors and you get the current Labour government and its weird mix of economic and social policies and at the same time its apparent inability to make progress / do better.
November 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
BBC News is also a good example. Historically technocratic, sees the world is changing, attempts to compensate through bothsidesism (effectively procedural populism), fails to please anyone and in so doing compromises its essential quality (technocracy).
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by Adam Chapman
14. The government artificially restricting court “sitting days” - effectively closing perfectly usable courtrooms and forcing judges to stay at home, to make a tiny saving on court staff.
This happened regularly under the last government. The new lot are still doing it.
This happened regularly under the last government. The new lot are still doing it.
November 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
14. The government artificially restricting court “sitting days” - effectively closing perfectly usable courtrooms and forcing judges to stay at home, to make a tiny saving on court staff.
This happened regularly under the last government. The new lot are still doing it.
This happened regularly under the last government. The new lot are still doing it.
Reposted by Adam Chapman
At last a modern, comprehensive study of the Third Crusade! The crusade that was so wide-ranging that it needs a team to write the book and two scholars to edit it ...
(You'll have guessed that I was one of the team. I wrote the chapter on the written sources and how unreliable they are.)
(You'll have guessed that I was one of the team. I wrote the chapter on the written sources and how unreliable they are.)
📘 #newrelease — John D. Hosler & Stephen Bennett (eds.)
The Third Crusade (1189–1192): New Interpretations
(Boydell Press, 2025)
The Third Crusade (1189–1192): New Interpretations
(Boydell Press, 2025)
November 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
At last a modern, comprehensive study of the Third Crusade! The crusade that was so wide-ranging that it needs a team to write the book and two scholars to edit it ...
(You'll have guessed that I was one of the team. I wrote the chapter on the written sources and how unreliable they are.)
(You'll have guessed that I was one of the team. I wrote the chapter on the written sources and how unreliable they are.)
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Delightful late-15th century painted birds perch among foliage and flowers on the dado of the screen to the Conyers Chapel in Hornby church, North Riding of Yorkshire. The painting is full of life and movement.
November 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Delightful late-15th century painted birds perch among foliage and flowers on the dado of the screen to the Conyers Chapel in Hornby church, North Riding of Yorkshire. The painting is full of life and movement.
I absolutely loved working on this book - the Jervoise archives @dralexcraven.bsky.social had the good fortune to work with are amazingly comprehensive and offer wonderful insights into an early modern (in particular) estate.
Huge thanks to Alex and to all @hobnobpress.bsky.social. Great work. 🗃️
Huge thanks to Alex and to all @hobnobpress.bsky.social. Great work. 🗃️
Just look what I found on my desk yesterday. First sneak preview of the latest publication by Hampshire for @vch-home.bsky.social, written by yours truly (with important contributions by colleagues). Beautifully set once again by @hobnobpress.bsky.social. That cover is so striking!
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I absolutely loved working on this book - the Jervoise archives @dralexcraven.bsky.social had the good fortune to work with are amazingly comprehensive and offer wonderful insights into an early modern (in particular) estate.
Huge thanks to Alex and to all @hobnobpress.bsky.social. Great work. 🗃️
Huge thanks to Alex and to all @hobnobpress.bsky.social. Great work. 🗃️
Reposted by Adam Chapman
Lots of great objects and archives to explore (one at random here, Leighton Dalrymple's sketch of John Blenkinsop's Steam Locomotive 'Salamanca', 1812), with themed virtual exhibitions #histSTM📜
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Lots of great objects and archives to explore (one at random here, Leighton Dalrymple's sketch of John Blenkinsop's Steam Locomotive 'Salamanca', 1812), with themed virtual exhibitions #histSTM📜