Sean Spencer
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cicerocantabridgi.bsky.social
Sean Spencer
@cicerocantabridgi.bsky.social
1.1K followers 6.7K following 23 posts
Byzantine worlds, aristocratic hegemony, and the rituals of power.
Half my life’s in libraries, the other in coffee queues.
Eternally optimistic Everton fan.
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Reposted by Sean Spencer
sadiahqureshi.bsky.social
If you’re interested, here’s a handy tool from the IFS. The results may well surprise you.

ifs.org.uk/tools_and_re...
Your household's income : Where do you fit in? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
When you think about your income, do you feel rich, poor, or just plain average? Find out where you lie in the UK income distribution.
ifs.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
sadiahqureshi.bsky.social
I know people love to dunk on modern architecture, but citing a house’s age, over the fact that it’s worth over £2 million pounds, as a reason not to pay a fairer share of tax is not a winning argument. People really need a better sense of where they sit in terms of their wealth to others.
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
sundersays.bsky.social
Interested to see how Telegraph report the actual fall by two-thirds
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
ebonyteach.blacksky.app
This may be of interest to #literacies.
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
lewisbaston.bsky.social
Ach, I’ve written most of the other stuff I need to and I’m about half an hour off being able to send it. So I’ll share…
lewisbaston.bsky.social Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 1d
Shall I share reminiscences about racism in my school in the 1970s and 1980s or shall I do what I’m supposed to and write other stuff?
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
heathercherone.bsky.social
How to handle breaking news: Mind the gap: Keep in mind that there’s often a gap between what the public wants to know and the verified information available. Unconfirmed or completely bogus content often rushes in to fill that gap. Beware bad actors: Remember that bad actors often capitalize on breaking news situations to spread falsehoods for easy likes and shares. Do a quick search: This is often your best defense against misinformation. Look for evidence: Claims that make bold assertions but provide no links or other evidence should always be approached with caution. Seek credible sources: Be intentional about looking for credible news and not relying on social media algorithms to bring you updates. Practice patience: Quality journalism and verification take time. Be ready to follow news developments over time.
August 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
moudhy.bsky.social
Recent studies have uncovered the vibrant colours that once covered ancient Assyrian palace reliefs.

Sandals were often red and black, two predominant colours in the reliefs of king Ashurnasirpal II’s palace at Nimrud.

Source: antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/sou...
Photo of a stone relief that has digitally re-colourised. It shows two people in profile facing left. Their garments have been re-coloured in blue and red, and their sandals in black and red. The figure on the left holds a bow and arrow and other weapons. The one on the right is a mythical creature with blue and red wings and a black beard. The creature holds a bucket in the left hand and pine cone in the right hand.
November 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
oliverdwwhite.bsky.social
"Bus Pass Libertarians" as my Dad would call them.
pjthinker.bsky.social Paul Kelly @pjthinker.bsky.social · 17h
Politicians wailing about the welfare budget need to end the triple lock on pensions and benefits for elderly or else sit back down and STFU …
November 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
davidandress.bsky.social
Right now, of course, the only "Tory voters" left are the ones who'd enthusiastically endorse snacking on the bodies of the poor if the Daily Mail said it was the latest trend...
stevebotham.bsky.social Steve Botham @stevebotham.bsky.social · 17h
#UKBudget BadEnoch’s reaction to the budget - taxpayers pay more to fund welfare.

it’s a fair enough description of the budget - which can be redescribed as ‘Tories say we should put 450,000 kids into poverty’.

I just wonder how many Tory voters would be content with that. I’d hope none.
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
davidandress.bsky.social
Imagine being so racist, as a teenager in 1981, that someone feels compelled to write a three-page letter about it to your headteacher. In 1981.
snig.bsky.social Snigdha @snig.bsky.social · Oct 1
Nigel Farage has been a lifelong racist. He's been a racist since his school days. David Lammy was forced to apologise for saying Farage flirted with the Hitler Youth - but what do you call it when someone sings Hitler Youth songs? Read Chloe Deakin's letter on Farage's fascism and racism at school.
From Chloe Denkin 01-734 1717 and 1778 E3 ALBANY PICCADILLY WIV ORH 4th June 1981 Dear Master, I am happy to say that I am not acquainted with N. P. Farage, of ASRY happy, because judging from hereporis i haveter ceived he is not someone with whom I would wish to be acquainted; and becaure I am, therefore, able to write on the ground of no personal prejedice, but on that conceraing p. inciple. You will recati that at the recent, and longthy, moeting about the selection of prefects, the nomads by a hegy that Sara was "a fascist, but that was no reason why ho would not make a good prefect" invoked considerable reaction from members of the Common Room. Another collesgue, who teaches the boy, des-cribed his publicly professed racist and neo-fascist views; and he citod a particular inciler in which Farage was so offensive to a boy in his set, that he had to be removed from the lesson. This mastor stated his view that that behaviour was precisely why the boy should not he made a prefect. Yet another colleague deseribed how, at a CCE camp organized by the College, Farage and others had marched through a quiet Sussex village very late at night shout-in Hitler-you songs; and when it was suggested by a master thie boys who expressed such views "don't really mean them", the College Chaplain himself commented that, on the contrary, in his experience views of that kind expressed by boys of that age are onted, and are mennt, At the end of that meeting I had not a scintilla of doubt that after the facts disclosed to you, Farage's nomination would no longer be considered. Nor, I imagine, had my colleagues; other-wise, we would have expressed ourselves even more strongly. But yesterday I was told by a senior boy, in terms of st that Farage was indeed to be selected; and today, of course, his appointment was announced in Assembly an announcement, I gather, which was met with disbelief and derision. To say that is too late to reverse this decision, or that Farage', acdir 3 will be restricted to particular areas of College te, or that he will be supervised within them, is futile. His appointment will have four immediate consequences. First, it will vastly increase his own confidence, and sense of self-justification. Secondly, he will have the privilege of listing his appointment as a profect at Dulwich College in his uni-versity and other applications. Thirdly, his peers, according to their own views, will either adopt him as an exemplar, or, as is much more likely, regard his appointment with disillusionment and cynicism when Ley observe that his notorious views and behaviour, well known to poth Master and members of the staff, are, as it would aptent, condoned by them. Fourthly, those members of the Common Room, such as myself, who believed that a firm daca fon had been reached through a democratic process, will be shock, saddened, angered, and disheartened. You will appreciate that I regard this as a very serious matter. i have often heard you tell our senior boys that they are the nation's future leaders. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these lenders are enlightened and compassionate. As you know, the national and educational press has recently given much prominence to the growing concern at the exploitation of school pupils by extremists of all kinds. A school of the stature and high roputation of Dulwich College which openly con-domned the recent troubles in Brixton, and offered its facilities freely to the foreca of law and order, ought not to be seen laside or outside its confines to be giving its endorsement, expressly or by implication, to budding extremists of the opposite kind. A school which is proud of its selectiveness, conservatism, and discipline, cught not to allow these characteristics to degen erate into intolerance, political extremism, or bullying of the nastiest kind, in its pupils. The matter of the appointment of Farage as a prefect may be thought by some to be minuscule against these deep considerations. It is not so. I am by disposition, tolerant; and in politics, moderate. But as a member of the Common Room, I find it distasteful that a boy such as Farage should have bestowed upon him the prestige of office and authority: wore I a parent or a pupil, I would find it profoundly so. In view, as I am aware, of the wide concern within the College about this matter, I am sending a copy of this letter to the chairman of the Common Room. Yours very sincerely, David Emms, Esq., MA, The Master of Dulwich College.
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
cambridgerach.bsky.social
A Labour budget 😊
jpspencer.bsky.social JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 22h
Distributional analysis published alongside the Budget shows that the poorest will benefit most from the measures - particularly due to welfare and public service improvements.

Source: www.gov.uk/government/p...
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
medievalists.bsky.social
New Medieval Books: The Medieval Persian Gulf www.medievalists.net/2024/11/new-... #books
New Medieval Books: The Medieval Persian Gulf - Medievalists.net
Although the Persian Gulf was not as prosperous or influential in the Middle Ages as it is today, the region boasts a fascinating history. This book delves into its communities, exploring their…
www.medievalists.net
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
cicerocantabridgi.bsky.social
Find of the day, only £30! Support your local bookshops folks #byzantinehistory
November 26, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
themerl.bsky.social
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research?

We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.

Find out more:

collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
Two students look at objects in the reading room at The Museum of English Rural Life.
November 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
memorients.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Edinburgh (School of History, Classics and Archaeology):

memorients.com/news/postdoc...
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Edinburgh | MEMOs
The University of Edinburgh, School of History, Classics and Archaeology
memorients.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
garius.bsky.social
I went to a school named after JHN and we were read this description multiple times in assembly over the years i was there.

Always stuck with me.
dieworkwear.bsky.social derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 3d
This reminds me of Cardinal John Henry Newman's book Definition of a Gentleman. I often cite Newman's book because it's so instructive. The term gentleman is so overwrought and frequently abused, but to the degree it means anything at all, I think Newman captures it here:
He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favours while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort, he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best. He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out. From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend.
November 25, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
christinkallama.bsky.social
For the What's History Feed 🗃️.

This is a fantastic opportunity for historians off the tenure track (including NTT, contingent, and independent scholars, archivists and librarians, museum workers and other public history folks) to spread the word about their publications.

✍🏽📚📄
erinbartram.bsky.social Erin Grievances @erinbartram.bsky.social · 2d
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Publications by Non-Tenure-Track Historians
Since we began publishing in 2019, Contingent has published end-of-year lists of books and articles by non-tenure-track historians released in the past calendar year. To submit something for inclusion...
contingentmagazine.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
sundersays.bsky.social
In 2013, Farage told Michael Crick he was a "troublemaker" who "wound people up". "“I did say things that would offend deeply ... I made arguments against [English teachers], that I didn’t necessarily believe in". He says this was just support for Enoch Powell - in 1981 - not for further right views
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
fascinatorfun.bsky.social
This is a lesson on how not to ask questions
Don’t ask him if he said racist things

Say “ This is just one example of what fellow school pupils say you said (to a Jewish pupil) : “Hitler was right” “Gas them” making hissing noises

Did you say that?
Did you make hissing noises?
pippacrerar.bsky.social Pippa Crerar @pippacrerar.bsky.social · 2d
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”

Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school

@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
sarahposner.bsky.social
If you read that Mike Pence op-ed last week citing some Founding Fathers about antisemitism and Jews' return to Israel... well, you're going to want to read this from @wthrockmorton.bsky.social (spoiler alert: Pence got some key arguments very wrong).

warrenthrockmorton.substack.com/p/did-the-fo...
Did the Founders Champion the Return of the Jewish People to Israel?
Mike Pence and Christian nationalist history
warrenthrockmorton.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
histparl.bsky.social
'Materials of State' will be airing this week on Radio 4, made in association with the History of Parliament.

The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.

You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State, The Union Jack
David Cannadine explores the history of the Union Jack.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
historyandpolicy.bsky.social
The organisers of a recent witness seminar @ihr.bsky.social on Conservatism and Unionism reflect in this new opinion article on the tensions that emerged in the final third of the twentieth century and their implications for the present. historyandpolicy.org/opinion-arti...
Conservatism and Unionism in the UK - History & Policy
The team of historians behind an AHRC-funded research project reflect on the fracturing of Conservatism and Unionism in the the UK in the final third of the twentieth century, and the insights into th...
historyandpolicy.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
royalhistsoc.org
Now open: call for the Royal Historical Society's First Book and Early Career Article Prizes, 2026.

Eligible titles, published in 2025, may be submitted by the author before the closing date of 15 December. Further details and how to apply: bit.ly/3KnR47v

#Skystorians
Royal Historical Society Book and Article Prizes, 2026: submissions now invited - RHS
The Royal Historical Society invites applications for its First Book Prize, 2026 and Early Career Article Prize, 2026. The call for submissions opens on Monday 29 September 2025 and runs to Monday 15 ...
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
davidandress.bsky.social
I find the discussion of what UK universities "should do" increasingly absurd. The notion that we just have an undifferentiated sector all pretending to be Oxbridge & ignoring their regional stakeholders is so farcically wrong as to be actively insulting.

profserious.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...
November 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Sean Spencer
colmuseums.bsky.social
Slip past the door and into the 1200s. Tucked behind the castle’s main entrance is the oldest known graffiti on site, likely carved by the jailer.

What story would you pin to that mark? Plan a visit to see it in person: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colche...
November 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM