Catherine Clarke
@cathamclarke.bsky.social
Writer, academic. Professor & Director @chppc.bsky.social & @vch-home.bsky.social. Beach hut days. New book: #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems, Penguin Allen Lane, 04.09.25.
https://www.catherineclarke.info/ / https://www.history.ac.uk/people/catherine-clarke
https://www.catherineclarke.info/ / https://www.history.ac.uk/people/catherine-clarke
Pinned
You can now 'look inside' my new #history book on the Penguin website! Read the introduction and first chapters, see the list of poems and moments in history I explore, and discover the wormhole which inspired this particular kind of time travel...
www.penguin.co.uk/books/461263...
www.penguin.co.uk/books/461263...
A lovely review in @churchtimes.bsky.social, by the great Professor Nicholas Orme! "How good to find a historian who values literature, a critic who knows about history!" Thank you. #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Book review: A History of England in 25 Poems by Catherine Clarke
What a brilliant idea for a book, says Nicholas Orme
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:40 AM
A lovely review in @churchtimes.bsky.social, by the great Professor Nicholas Orme! "How good to find a historian who values literature, a critic who knows about history!" Thank you. #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Lovely to give a talk at the Centre for Regional and Local History in Leicester today - among friends 😍📕📕
#VictoriaCountyHistory @vch-home.bsky.social
#VictoriaCountyHistory @vch-home.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Lovely to give a talk at the Centre for Regional and Local History in Leicester today - among friends 😍📕📕
#VictoriaCountyHistory @vch-home.bsky.social
#VictoriaCountyHistory @vch-home.bsky.social
I'm so thrilled and proud that #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems is a Times Book of the Year (#history). In some incredible company on this list. Thank you!
November 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
I'm so thrilled and proud that #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems is a Times Book of the Year (#history). In some incredible company on this list. Thank you!
I'm very much looking forward to this online event (in English!) hosted by the University of Silesia, Katowice, in conversation with my dear friend Rafal Boryslawski. Weds 3 December, 4pm London time / 5pm CET. #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems www.facebook.com/events/88180...
![Info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/881804601189365/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:imn5zuyki7dqgziteqzfmlrw/bafkreidktmapsytp5vias4x57mp5uvxgsvqvlrdwm5xnbh6mzkiqwp7eqm@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I'm very much looking forward to this online event (in English!) hosted by the University of Silesia, Katowice, in conversation with my dear friend Rafal Boryslawski. Weds 3 December, 4pm London time / 5pm CET. #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems www.facebook.com/events/88180...
Reposted by Catherine Clarke
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. 🗃️
Come and hear me speak at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford on 6 January at 10.40am, thanks to my friends at the ERO and VCH Essex. I'll be sharing stories from #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems - including the Battle of Maldon and some Old English read aloud...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ero-presen...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ero-presen...
ERO Presents: Maldon, Vikings, Saxons
A History of England in 25 Poems
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Come and hear me speak at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford on 6 January at 10.40am, thanks to my friends at the ERO and VCH Essex. I'll be sharing stories from #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems - including the Battle of Maldon and some Old English read aloud...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ero-presen...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ero-presen...
I had a great time - thank you so much for the invitation! Leonie's generosity, her integrity and the clarity of her voice are always just what we need. ❤️
We were treated to a brilliant talk by @cathamclarke.bsky.social at CCCU yesterday: poetry, history, time-travel. It is so good to be reminded of the great scholarship still happening in spite of the absolute shambles of HE at the moment.
Now, Ordnance Survey bingo and castle landscapes 1/
Now, Ordnance Survey bingo and castle landscapes 1/
November 27, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I had a great time - thank you so much for the invitation! Leonie's generosity, her integrity and the clarity of her voice are always just what we need. ❤️
#Canterbury, you do not disappoint! A long day travelling but totally worth it for some gorgeous bright and frosty views. Looking forward to my talk at Canterbury Christ Church University very soon!
November 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
#Canterbury, you do not disappoint! A long day travelling but totally worth it for some gorgeous bright and frosty views. Looking forward to my talk at Canterbury Christ Church University very soon!
Tomorrow, Wednesday 26 November, #Canterbury - open to the public and all welcome!
www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/2025/...
www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/2025/...
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Tomorrow, Wednesday 26 November, #Canterbury - open to the public and all welcome!
www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/2025/...
www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/2025/...
This is lovely to see! Diolch yn fawr, Caerdydd / Cardiff! (Lots of conversation with #Wales in the book, especially in the chapters on Agincourt and Adlestrop...)
November 25, 2025 at 11:26 AM
This is lovely to see! Diolch yn fawr, Caerdydd / Cardiff! (Lots of conversation with #Wales in the book, especially in the chapters on Agincourt and Adlestrop...)
I'm delighted to say that the recording my Historical Research lecture for @ihr.bsky.social (4 November, 2025) is now available to view online. I reflect on my own experience of writing a 'trade' book, and conclude with a manifesto for #radical #popular #history.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Historical Research Lecture 2025 | Can popular history be radical? Historical research and writing for the public
Historical Research Lecture 2025
www.history.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I'm delighted to say that the recording my Historical Research lecture for @ihr.bsky.social (4 November, 2025) is now available to view online. I reflect on my own experience of writing a 'trade' book, and conclude with a manifesto for #radical #popular #history.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Wrapping a few little Advent presents for my 10-year-old philatelist - various old Christmas stamps and first day covers (thank you, charity shops!). This 1989 Christmas set by the great David Gentleman has always been a particular favourite of mine. #stamps #medieval #philately #Christmas #Ely
November 23, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Wrapping a few little Advent presents for my 10-year-old philatelist - various old Christmas stamps and first day covers (thank you, charity shops!). This 1989 Christmas set by the great David Gentleman has always been a particular favourite of mine. #stamps #medieval #philately #Christmas #Ely
Reposted by Catherine Clarke
'The provisionality and dynamism of play enables creative thinking and dispenses with fears of failure'.
Read our new blogpost discussing the 'Creativity in the Classroom' workshop run by @drlauravarnam.bsky.social and @cathamclarke.bsky.social at the 'Chaucer our Contemporary' event 👇
Read our new blogpost discussing the 'Creativity in the Classroom' workshop run by @drlauravarnam.bsky.social and @cathamclarke.bsky.social at the 'Chaucer our Contemporary' event 👇
‘Creativity in the Classroom’ workshop: GuMM at ‘Chaucer our Contemporary’ event 4/10/25 — The Guild of Medievalist Makers
Write-up of activities from the ‘Creativity in the Classroom’ workshop at the ‘Chaucer our Contemporary’ colloquium (Laura Varnam and Catherine Clarke).
www.guildmedmak.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
'The provisionality and dynamism of play enables creative thinking and dispenses with fears of failure'.
Read our new blogpost discussing the 'Creativity in the Classroom' workshop run by @drlauravarnam.bsky.social and @cathamclarke.bsky.social at the 'Chaucer our Contemporary' event 👇
Read our new blogpost discussing the 'Creativity in the Classroom' workshop run by @drlauravarnam.bsky.social and @cathamclarke.bsky.social at the 'Chaucer our Contemporary' event 👇
#AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems is one of the best poetry books of 2025 in the Financial Times / FT Weekend! This makes me so happy - especially as it's most definitely a #poetry #book for poetry sceptics. If you love #history, why not have a look and see where poetry can take us...?
November 23, 2025 at 8:31 AM
#AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems is one of the best poetry books of 2025 in the Financial Times / FT Weekend! This makes me so happy - especially as it's most definitely a #poetry #book for poetry sceptics. If you love #history, why not have a look and see where poetry can take us...?
#Talk: 'From Nation to Local: Re-Discovering England’s Places through #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems'. What happens to our understanding of the nation when we start at the very smallest scale? Friday 28 November, 3pm, University of Leicester - all welcome! www.englishlocalhistory.org/wp/2025/09/2...
November 22, 2025 at 10:36 AM
#Talk: 'From Nation to Local: Re-Discovering England’s Places through #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems'. What happens to our understanding of the nation when we start at the very smallest scale? Friday 28 November, 3pm, University of Leicester - all welcome! www.englishlocalhistory.org/wp/2025/09/2...
How lovely to find #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems on the list of the BBC History Magazine Books of the Year! And picked by the brilliant Alice Loxton, who I so enjoyed sharing a stage with at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October. Thank you!
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his... #book #history
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his... #book #history
November 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
How lovely to find #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems on the list of the BBC History Magazine Books of the Year! And picked by the brilliant Alice Loxton, who I so enjoyed sharing a stage with at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October. Thank you!
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his... #book #history
www.historyextra.com/magazine/his... #book #history
Reposted by Catherine Clarke
Take Two... First book sale earlier today was A History of England in 25 Poems from @cathamclarke.bsky.social. Apt as I was looking at poetry earlier, getting ready to order more titles having made space on our shelves.
#booksky
#booksky
November 20, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Take Two... First book sale earlier today was A History of England in 25 Poems from @cathamclarke.bsky.social. Apt as I was looking at poetry earlier, getting ready to order more titles having made space on our shelves.
#booksky
#booksky
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Reposted by Catherine Clarke
Last chance to register for a special online seminar at 5.00pm this evening @ihr.bsky.social when an expert panel will discuss the life and legacy of Professor Hugh Clegg (1920-95) a key figure in the study of post-war British Industrial Relations. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Professor Hugh Clegg - His Life and Legacy
www.history.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Last chance to register for a special online seminar at 5.00pm this evening @ihr.bsky.social when an expert panel will discuss the life and legacy of Professor Hugh Clegg (1920-95) a key figure in the study of post-war British Industrial Relations. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Catherine Clarke
🎉 All stipendiary IHR Fellowships, Bursaries, & Prizes are now LIVE! 🎉
universityoflondon.smapply.io/prog/lst/
(All of our open competitions start with "IHR" in the title.)
Got a question? Please check the application page & our website for more information.
www.history.ac.uk/fellowships-...
universityoflondon.smapply.io/prog/lst/
(All of our open competitions start with "IHR" in the title.)
Got a question? Please check the application page & our website for more information.
www.history.ac.uk/fellowships-...
Programs - School of Advanced Study
universityoflondon.smapply.io
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🎉 All stipendiary IHR Fellowships, Bursaries, & Prizes are now LIVE! 🎉
universityoflondon.smapply.io/prog/lst/
(All of our open competitions start with "IHR" in the title.)
Got a question? Please check the application page & our website for more information.
www.history.ac.uk/fellowships-...
universityoflondon.smapply.io/prog/lst/
(All of our open competitions start with "IHR" in the title.)
Got a question? Please check the application page & our website for more information.
www.history.ac.uk/fellowships-...
The birds on my book have made a friend! Thank you Waterstones Castlepoint (Bournemouth) for the lovely table display and this adorable robin perched on my book in the window ❤️
November 15, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The birds on my book have made a friend! Thank you Waterstones Castlepoint (Bournemouth) for the lovely table display and this adorable robin perched on my book in the window ❤️
This makes me so happy - not least because Anna Laetitia Barbauld was 'cancelled' for writing this fearless reformist poem, which deserves to be better known. Want to discover her vision of time travel and a future England in ruins? It's in #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems! 😄 Thank you, Leonie!
November 14, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This makes me so happy - not least because Anna Laetitia Barbauld was 'cancelled' for writing this fearless reformist poem, which deserves to be better known. Want to discover her vision of time travel and a future England in ruins? It's in #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems! 😄 Thank you, Leonie!
As a massive fan of @dannybate.bsky.social and his stellar new book, Why Q Needs U, I'm so chuffed to be mentioned in this online article - Danny's typical generosity as well as his uncanny ability to make language endlessly fascinating... (Read & enjoy - and if you don't have his book yet, get it!)
'A History of England in 25 Poems' by @cathamclarke.bsky.social has something for everyone, including nerdy historical linguists. While reading it, I seized upon an archaic H in a Middle English poem about happy animals as my chance to write about lost English sounds.
dannybate.com/2025/11/14/a...
dannybate.com/2025/11/14/a...
A Voice for the Voiceless: English’s Lost Consonants
In September this year, Catherine Clarke, professor at the Institute of Historical Research, published A History of England in 25 Poems. This chronological hike through England’s history via verses…
dannybate.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
As a massive fan of @dannybate.bsky.social and his stellar new book, Why Q Needs U, I'm so chuffed to be mentioned in this online article - Danny's typical generosity as well as his uncanny ability to make language endlessly fascinating... (Read & enjoy - and if you don't have his book yet, get it!)
Lovely to catch up with my dear friend Rafal Boryslawski, visiting from Poland, and talk through some plans for my online seminar for the University of Silesia next month ❤️
November 14, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Lovely to catch up with my dear friend Rafal Boryslawski, visiting from Poland, and talk through some plans for my online seminar for the University of Silesia next month ❤️