Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 17h

If anyone is looking for The Coronation Documents of Richard III - there's a copy in the Oxfam online book shop at the moment. Meanwhile the Canadian branch of the Richard III Society are auctioning two copies of the NPG catalogue on their website.

Two books - one of the Coronation documents of Richard III. The other called Richard III with a picture of a boar.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 4d

Absolutely

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 4d

How much stronger does the case for proportional representation have to be?

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 4d

Astonishing advance by the Greens, astonishing implosion of Labour. When will Starmer's government get the message that it is destroying its base with deeply unpopular, rightwing policies?

By chasing Reform, it legitimises the far right while delegitimising itself.

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 5d

Latest poll puts Greens just two points behind Labour. When I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour but to replace them, I meant it.

Join us and let's make hope normal again.

join.greenparty.org.uk

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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 7d

Two of the most common climate misconceptions I see, even among knowledgeable folks, are that (1) most people aren't worried about climate change, and (2) if they were, they'd act.

Not true! Data show (1) most people are worried, but (2) they won’t act if they don’t know what to do-and most don’t.

A map of the world showing how levels of worry in most countries are greater than 70%. Source: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, International Public Opinion on Climate Change, 2023.

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East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 7d

How can MPs act with urgency on climate if they don’t even know the deadline has already arrived?

New UEA study finds public and politicians dangerously misinformed.

MPs and public underestimate urgency of climate action, new UEA study reveals

Fewer than 15% of UK MPs knew emissions must peak by 2025, raising questions about climate communication

eastangliabylines.co.uk

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 7d

A glorious October day in my favourite city.

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Operation Noah @operationnoah.bsky.social · 7d

There's still time to register for our 7 Oct webinar (12.30pm) on greening our finances. We'll be joined by Eco Church & JustMoney Movement as we explore practical steps churches can take, such as choosing a greener bank account, investing in climate solutions & more. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 7d

And before that Toby Capwell and Dominic Smee shared stories of the making of the documentary on the likely impact of Richard III's scoliosis on his use of armour and ability to fight on horseback.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 7d

Caroline Wilkinson gave a fascinating talk on digital immortality (faces here include John Whetamstede and St Nicholas)

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 8d

Lovely to learn this connection between a woman I have long admired (loyal Katherine) and one of my favourite houses.

Tudor Times @thetudortimes.bsky.social · 8d

#OTD 1509 Sir Nicholas Vaux was appointed lieutenant of Guisnes Castle. He was the son of loyal Lancastrians, his mother, Katherine Peniston had followed Margaret of Anjou into exile & he had fought at Bosworth for Henry Tudor. His daughter m. George Throckmorton of Coughton Court bit.ly/1BF1PZn)

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Donnachadh McCarthy @donnachadhmc.bsky.social · 8d

Please help combat BBC news blackout of Green Party!
@zackpolanski.bsky.social was the only party leader not interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg during their party conference.
So please RT his cracking conference speech..

Donnachadh McCarthy @donnachadhmc.bsky.social · 10d

Whatever your party politics, @zackpolanski.bsky.social leaders speech deserves to be heard..

www.youtube.com/live/TZx9Vng...

Leader's Speech - Zack Polanski at Green Party Conference 2025

YouTube video by Green Party of England & Wales

www.youtube.com

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Teaching Medieval Women @teachmedwomen.bsky.social · 12d

Natasha Hodgson @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social also talked more about the findings of the @endsexisminschools.bsky.social report in the following Tes article.

Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 12d

Most key stage 3 history lessons don’t feature any women, research shows. Teachers tell Tes about the changes they are making to address this gender imbalance in the curriculum

Why are women missing from school history?

The extent to which history lessons ignore female figures has been revealed by new research. Here, teachers share the changes they are making to address this gender imbalance

www.tes.com

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Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · 13d

Some good news.

London is meeting legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s "world leading air pollution policies," City Hall announces.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone - and similar policies - really do work.

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National Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 11d

Climate change is already damaging the nature, beauty and heritage we care for. Without deep and sustained cuts to emissions, nature faces an even more perilous future and the places people love will continue to suffer.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tories pledge to scrap landmark climate legislation

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says her party would axe legally binding targets to cut emissions.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Bertrom. @bertrom.bsky.social · 12d

RIP the wonderful Primatologist Jane Goodall.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

A beautiful person.

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Per Axbom @axbom.com · 18d

Happy Petrov Day to those who celebrate. On September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov made the correct decision to not trust a computer.

I've attached a short clip from a reenactment of the situation in the documentary The Man Who Saved the World.

1/11

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 19d

An interesting post to read in conjunction with the article on medicinal plants in late medieval gardens that appeared in The Ricardian (just arriving with @richardiiisociety.bsky.social members).

Herbal History Research Network @herbalhistoryrn.bsky.social · 20d

Our latest blog is up! Read about Lucy Reed's research
@uor-research.bsky.social tracing continuity and change in herbal practices in Britain #herbalism #histmed

herbalhistory.org/home/placing...

Placing contemporary local herbalism in a historical context

Lucy Reed is a PhD candidate at the University of Reading.This blog explores her research on the effects of written and oral traditions on the British medicinal flora.

herbalhistory.org

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Justin Colson @justincolson.bsky.social · 26d

The @ihr.bsky.social Late Medieval Seminar series for autumn 2025 is now published. Themes from ladies in waiting to the custom house, and a roundtable on editing sources. All seminars are hybrid (or fully online), also, I'm now one of the convenors! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

Late Medieval

Seminar

www.history.ac.uk

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Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · Sep 14

Two very important graphs.
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · Sep 12

Just under a week left to submit a proposal for our sessions at @imc-leeds.bsky.social next year and to apply for a bursary! #Skystorians #MedievalSky

Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · Sep 2

We're seeking proposals for papers on the long fifteenth century for Trust-sponsored panels at next year's @imc-leeds.bsky.social, as well as offering bursaries of £300 for speakers! Please see here for more info: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2025/09/02/y... @jllaynesmith.bsky.social #MedievalSky

Proposals are sought for 20-minute papers on new research on the period 1399-1525. Topics within the IMC 2026 theme of ‘Temporalities’ are encouraged, but any subject within the relevant time frame is welcome.

Bursaries of £300 are available for scholars without institutional funding (at any stage of their career). Please note the IMC’s proposal criteria at www.imc.leeds.ac.uk/proposals/criteria.

Please send a 150-200 word abstract and short biography to Dr Joanna Laynesmith at j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk by 18th September 2025 stating whether you wish to apply for a bursary or just to propose a paper.

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Diane Watt @dianewatt.bsky.social · Aug 29

The Matlaske reliquary pendant. This is the sort of ‘device’ Margaret Paston may have worn and it was found around 3km from her first marital home in Gresham. Now on display in the Gallery of Medieval Life in the Norwich Cathedral Museum. I saw it properly for the first time yesterday.

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · Sep 13

There's a great article about this project in the 2024 issue of The Ricardian (currently still on sale at the Richard III Society's website www.richardiii.net).

Richard III Society - American Branch @r3-society-usa.bsky.social · Sep 5

Press Release! r3.org/press-releas...

Press Release: Edward IV Roll On-Line Edition is Officially Launched!, Richard III Society American Branch

15th century scroll gets 21st century treatment in transformative collaboration.

r3.org

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Richard III Society @richardiiisociety.bsky.social · Sep 12

We have a special sale on right now! You can purchase the last three issues of the Ricardian for only £30.00. (Members get them even cheaper!) There are detailed descriptions of the articles & book reviews on the sale page.

richardiii.net/shop/books/t...

The Ricardian 2022, 2023 & 2024 - Special Offer - Richard III Society

Bundle of 3 issues of the Society's annual journal - The Ricardian The Ricardian 2022 A Forgotten Candidate for the Hand of Margaret of York: Pedro the Constable, King of Aragon. Scenes from the life ...

richardiii.net

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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · Sep 13

"Net zero is not just feasible but also economically sensible" and people want it - please @labouruk.bsky.social

Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · Sep 11

Research reveals huge disparity between perceived and actual willingness of public to contribute to fixing climate

- "[Politicians] have more public support than they may realise"

#climatecrisis #89percent
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Underestimating support for climate action limits political decision making, study says

Research reveals huge disparity between perceived and actual willingness of public to contribute to fixing climate

www.theguardian.com

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · Sep 13

All new buildings in England could soon be required to incorporate bird-safe glass and other wildlife-friendly features, after peers in the House of Lords tabled a series of amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill:

House of Lords move to make bird-safe glass mandatory in new buildings

All new buildings in England could be required to use bird-safe glass and other wildlife-friendly features, under amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposed in the House of Lords. The cross-party push follows criticism of the government's plans by its own Animal Sentience Committee, which warned of risks to millions of birds, hedgehogs, rabbits and other wild animals. Campaigners say the measures are low-cost, practical and could save countless lives.

bit.ly

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