Helen King
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helenking.bsky.social
Helen King
@helenking.bsky.social
13K followers 750 following 730 posts

Sort of retired (not), Professor Emerita, The Open University. Classics, history of medicine/the body/gynaecology. Writer, blogger, C of E lay preacher, chair of Together on General Synod (formerly Gender & Sexuality Group). She/her. Likes flowers. .. more

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Helen King is a British classical scholar and advocate for the medical humanities. She is Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at the Open University. She was previously Professor of the History of Classical Medicine and Head of the Department of Classics at the University of Reading. .. more

History 52%
Philosophy 21%
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helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · Jul 19
If you fancy reading something about the history of women’s bodies, and about what has been taken as defining a ‘proper woman’ (and how dodgy that is)… a reminder that my book came out in paperback last month! Immaculate Forms, Profile Books profilebooks.com/work/immacul...
Immaculate Forms - Profile Books
profilebooks.com

Reposted by Karen O’Donnell

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 8h
Yes. ‘Enough is enough’. Thank you, Joe Hawes

togethercofe.org.uk/dean-of-st-e...
Dean of St Edmundsbury Speaks Out on LGBT+ Inclusion – Together for the Church of England
togethercofe.org.uk

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 1d
Great title there!

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 1d
Thread…
sarahebond.bsky.social Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 1d
A new report on dietary findings in a select area of Pompeii likely inhabited by enslaved people came out in Scavi di Pompei. Many newspapers are now running w/a headline about Roman slaves “eating better” than free Romans. pompeiisites.org/e-journal-de... Let’s discuss why this is problematic
thetimes.com 三 THEy TIMES Log in Subscribe Home UK World Comment Money Life & Style Roman slaves were better fed than many citizens, Pompeii reveals

Reposted by Helen King

gracerethomas.bsky.social
Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 1d
'One of the saddest aspects of where we have reached as a Church, is the erosion of the witness of real lives and a disregard for the fear and distress our LGBTQI+ siblings live with'

Excellent address on loving thy neighbour by +Newcastle

www.newcastle.anglican.org/news/bishop-...
Bishop Helen-Ann’s Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod - Newcastle Diocese
Over the past couple of months, one question has been something of a guiding light in my daily life and work: who is my neighbour? It’s a question asked of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus’ answer comes ...
www.newcastle.anglican.org

Reposted by Helen King, Lesley A. Hall, Margot C. Finn

sarahebond.bsky.social
Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 1d
A new report on dietary findings in a select area of Pompeii likely inhabited by enslaved people came out in Scavi di Pompei. Many newspapers are now running w/a headline about Roman slaves “eating better” than free Romans. pompeiisites.org/e-journal-de... Let’s discuss why this is problematic
thetimes.com 三 THEy TIMES Log in Subscribe Home UK World Comment Money Life & Style Roman slaves were better fed than many citizens, Pompeii reveals

Reposted by Helen King

belovedofoizys.bsky.social
Alexandra Sills @belovedofoizys.bsky.social · 2d
I will never stop being thrilled that the mighty Jane Masseglia was my MA supervisor - here's her latest research making headlines: phys.org/news/2025-12...
Celebrated Rutland mosaic depicts 'long-lost' Troy story connecting Roman Britain to the ancient classical world
The team behind what has been described as "one of the most significant mosaics discovered in the UK" have revealed that it depicts an alternative "long-lost" telling of the Trojan War. The paper is p...
phys.org

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 3d
readingagency.org.uk/hannah-durki...
Hannah Durkin wins the Wolfson History Prize 2025 - The Reading Agency
Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade by Hannah Durkin—an immersive and revelatory history...
readingagency.org.uk

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 3d
Lovely to see you there!

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 3d
There were gasps around me when Hannah brought up the closure plan in her acceptance speech. And rightly.

Reposted by Melissa Terras, Helen King, Lesley A. Hall , and 9 more

eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 4d
Graduate of the American Studies programme that the University of Nottingham wishes to close wins 2025 Wolfson History Prize for Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade.

History, it's a long game. Divest in haste, repent for the longue durée.
The Wolfson History Prize - Celebrating Outstanding History
The Wolfson History Prize is awarded annually to promote and recognise outstanding history written for a general audience.
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk

Reposted by Helen King, Lesley A. Hall

friendlesschurches.bsky.social
Friends of Friendless Churches @friendlesschurches.bsky.social · 4d
If you know someone who loves history and heritage, then please follow the link below to purchase a gift membership for the Friends of Friendless Churches.

friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/gift-me...

Reposted by Helen King, Karen O’Donnell

wolfsonhistory.bsky.social
Wolfson History Prize @wolfsonhistory.bsky.social · 5d
The winner of the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2025 is…

Hannah Durkin for 'Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade'. @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social

A big congratulations to Hannah!

Reposted by Helen King

wolfsonhistory.bsky.social
Wolfson History Prize @wolfsonhistory.bsky.social · 5d
This evening, the winner of the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2025 will be announced live!

Join us in celebrating outstanding history. We will be posting live from the winner ceremony, so make sure you're following @wolfsonhistory.bsky.social and #WolfsonHistoryPrize for live updates throughout the night.

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 8d
Great network, great audience, great questions!

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 8d
It really is! And so many great books to read in not that much time!

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 9d
Being part of judging the Wolfson History Prize has been a major part of my year - prize announcement next week! fivebooks.com/best-books/t...
The Best History Books of 2025: the Wolfson History Prize Shortlist
The Wolfson History Prize is awarded annually for historical writing that is both brilliantly researched and a great read. Professor Helen King, one of this year's judges, talks us through the 2025 sh...
fivebooks.com

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 9d
I’ve finally published a piece on the abuse of the Read sisters and the inadequacy of the review into the CofE’s response. viamedia.news/2025/11/28/s...
Safeguarding: How Can We “Learn Lessons” From the Read Sisters’ Case? - ViaMedia.News
by Professor Helen King, lay member of General Synod, Oxford Diocese When, in July 2025, the details of Revd Anne-Marie Ghosh’s emotional and physical abuse by her former husband were published by a B...
viamedia.news

Reposted by Helen King

bodyinhistoryox.bsky.social
Body in History Network, University of Oxford @bodyinhistoryox.bsky.social · 11d
Quick reminder that our keynote talk with Professor @helenking.bsky.social is happening this Friday, 28th of November at 1:30 pm in the Learning Centre (Room 00.018) at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. No tickets are needed, everyone is welcome! Refreshments will be provided 😊

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 14d
@profilebooks.bsky.social Looking forward to talking to this audience in Oxford on Friday!
bodyinhistoryox.bsky.social Body in History Network, University of Oxford @bodyinhistoryox.bsky.social · 14d
Just a reminder about this Friday’s (28th) event. We are incredibly grateful to have Professor @helenking.bsky.social speaking about “Uncovering the History of Women’s Bodies” at 1:30 pm in the Learning Centre (Room 00.018), Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Keynote Lecture | Uncovering the History of Women’s Bodies
www.torch.ox.ac.uk

Reposted by Helen King

bodyinhistoryox.bsky.social
Body in History Network, University of Oxford @bodyinhistoryox.bsky.social · 14d
Just a reminder about this Friday’s (28th) event. We are incredibly grateful to have Professor @helenking.bsky.social speaking about “Uncovering the History of Women’s Bodies” at 1:30 pm in the Learning Centre (Room 00.018), Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Keynote Lecture | Uncovering the History of Women’s Bodies
www.torch.ox.ac.uk

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 16d
What’s the future for Anglicanism? Charlie Bell writes

viamedia.news/2025/11/21/w...
What Does it Mean to be Anglican in a Post-colonial Communion? - ViaMedia.News
by Charlie Bell, Fellow in Public Theology and Medicine at Girton College, Cambridge, Associate Vicar of St John the Divine, Kennington, in the Diocese of Southwark, and member of the LLF Vocations an...
viamedia.news

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 19d
Helpful, practical advice on considering becoming an Inclusive Church viamedia.news/2025/11/18/l...
Learning and Listening: Being Inclusive - ViaMedia.News
by Kat Campion-Spall, Rector of the Bristol Harbourside Churches, and a member of General Synod Arriving 3 years ago in a newly formed parish, a question from a parishioner awaited me: would we consid...
viamedia.news

Reposted by Helen King, Morwenna Ludlow

ruthh.bsky.social
Ruth Harley @ruthh.bsky.social · 20d
Any #CofEpeeps following the sorry saga of #LLF should read this powerful response by Professor Mike Higton to the "misappropriation" of his work in the recent Faith and Order Commission paper on doctrine, intended to inform the House of Bishops decision-making. viamedia.news/2025/11/17/c...
Cries of Suffering: A Response to ‘The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ - ViaMedia.News
by Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry at Durham University The Faith and Order Commission’s recent document on ‘The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ (GS Misc 1429) is not, in my jud...
viamedia.news

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 20d
What is the role of the bishops? What about the voices of lesbian and gay people? Mike Higton writes on Living in Love and Faith viamedia.news/2025/11/17/c...
Cries of Suffering: A Response to ‘The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ - ViaMedia.News
by Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry at Durham University The Faith and Order Commission’s recent document on ‘The Nature of Doctrine and the Living God’ (GS Misc 1429) is not, in my jud...
viamedia.news

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 22d
Peter Collier KC on possible ways forward on clergy in same-sex marriages viamedia.news/2025/11/15/t...
The House of Bishops on Clergy and Same-Sex Marriage – Further Personal Reflections - ViaMedia.News
by Peter Collier KC, retired Senior Circuit Judge and former Vicar-General of the Province of York Further to my recent reflections on the House of Bishops’ October statement on the future use of the Prayers of Love and Faith, I have now also reflected on their statement about the future of clergy and same sex marriage.
viamedia.news

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 23d
Sadly much of the CofE does seem to be going back in time. It’s a sweatshirt for goodness sake. She wasn’t performing a summonsing or accosting passers-by!

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 23d
Maybe I should hang out in more bookshops!

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 24d
So I was in a bookshop yesterday and saw someone flicking through a copy of my book… and I went up and said ‘Hello, I wrote that!’ We had a good chat (and I met her mum too). Still not sure if I should have just walked away?!

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 24d
And today a reminder that there are real people whose lives are affected by the current C of E policies on LGBTQIA+ relationships viamedia.news/2025/11/13/a...
A Question of Conscience - ViaMedia.News
by Revd Ruth Harley (Vicar, Cowgate and Priest in Charge, Newbiggin Hall) Standing at the font, I smiled at the scene unfolding in front of me. A happily gurgling baby and his two proud parents, surro...
viamedia.news

helenking.bsky.social
Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 25d
And the final instalment of Fr Thomas Sharp’s critiques of those FAOC papers. It’s a long read, but there are so many contradictions in that document… viamedia.news/2025/11/12/a...
A Response to “The Exercise of Discipline and Clergy Exemplarity in the Church of England: The Case of Same-Sex Civil Marriages: A Report of the Faith and Order Commission” (GS Misc 1431) - ViaMedia.N...
Fr Thomas Sharp is a priest theologian based in the South East of England and is also Provincial Secretary of the Society of Catholic Priests This was the third report which briefed the House of Bisho...
viamedia.news