Mathew Lyons
@mathewlyons.bsky.social
1.9K followers 540 following 2.5K posts
Writer, historian. FRHistS. Recent work: History Today, The Spectator, Slightly Foxed, New Humanist, Engelsberg Ideas.
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Reposted by Mathew Lyons
classicalalan.bsky.social
The stunning west door of St Botolph's Priory in Colchester, which was founded c. 1093. Largely built from recycled Roman bricks, it was dissolved in 1535 and is now a stately ruin. #MedievalMonday
A ruinous facade of a church built with stone and brick and featuring a large doorway with a rounded arch.
mathewlyons.bsky.social
I had the great good fortune to see Tom Waits in 1981 at the Apollo in Victoria. I was 14. I was already in love with the Nighthawks… era, but it was a heartstoppingly magical evening of song. IIRC it was him on piano, plus sax & upright bass. I *think* the stage set was just a streetlamp
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Oh, I hadn't heard of this. Off to check it out now!
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Fans of Tudor history, Hans Eworth’s portrait of Thomas Howard, the ill-fated fourth Duke of Norfolk, is coming up for auction at Sotheby’s!
mathewlyons.bsky.social
“He had a mind full of the most intricate and difficult solutions to the simplest of problems.”
Mortimer Wheeler on Flinders Petrie. I must watch these again. Wheeler is delightful company.
mathewlyons.bsky.social
There are some wonderful interviews with Wheeler on the BBC archive. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
abrackenbury.bsky.social
'The things you remember.
My last act before closing the tap
to take the hose by the neck and drink,
taste the cathedral's rock and temperature,
the water hard and the table high.
The water then, you could still drink it.'
Karen Solie:poem & book,'Wellwater'.Eloquent in memory! Highly recommended.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
seventydys.bsky.social
I had the great pleasure of editing Naomi Baker’s Voices of Thunder, her groundbreaking book on radical religious women in the 17th century, which arrives with these emphatic endorsements. Out today from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social. #earlymodern
In Voices of Thunder Naomi Baker gives us the most accessible, detailed and well-informed study to date of the women preachers and prophets of the seventeenth-century, a time when nearly all women were meant to stay home and be quiet. Baker shows us how very many women were involved and influential in the early Baptist and Quaker movements and beyond, and how sharply they saw gender and class oppression, while often enduring harsh persecution, usually by men, at home and abroad. With notable biographical skill and sympathy, the author shows us how the women prophets saw and experienced their world. All can benefit from this book, and many will find it an eye-opening revelation.'
Nigel Smith, Princeton University, author of Andrew Marvell: The Chameleon
Voices of Thunder offers a ground-breaking account of the radical women who, during the political, social and religious turmoil of seventeenth-century Britain and Ireland, found voice and vocation. Naomi Baker is an outstanding guide to this complex, challenging and extraordinary culture.
Crawford Gribben, Professor of History at Queen's University Belfast and author of J. N. Darby and the Roots of Dispensationalism
This book crackles and fizzes with the energy and bravado of the many overlooked women who metaphorically hitched up their skirts to challenge forms of authority that sought to marginalise them. Naomi Baker brings deft erudition to her narrative and stylishly synthesises the complex histories of religious radicalism in the seventeenth century. This elegantly written and lively book has much to teach us about belief, politics and activism in both the seventeenth century and the contemporary moment.
Danielle Clarke, Professor of English Renaissance Language and Literature, University College Dublin
Her timely book reminds us of the urgent need to listen to the voices of those who disrupt our social and moral commonplaces.'
Adrian Streete, Professor of Early Modern Literature and Religion, U of Glasgow
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Fantastic! I'll dive in later.
mathewlyons.bsky.social
That's wonderful, Harry. Have you written more about food?
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
eggsbened.bsky.social
EXACTLY!
‘Where once there was a yearning to be “exposed to something extraordinary”, today politicians and arts administrators are besotted by the notion of “relevance”, of the arts as something with which people must immediately identify or recognise.’ observer.co.uk/news/columni...
It’s not opera that’s elitist but the idea that art is to...
The myth that culture has not been for the masses is debunked in a new book
observer.co.uk
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Wonderful evening at the Barbican with @divinecomedyhq.bsky.social. And cocktails…
mathewlyons.bsky.social
These are the fellas who led the resistance
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Saw a fascinating selection of material relating to Epping Forest @thelondonarchives.bsky.social yesterday - maps, photos, letters, ephemera and more!
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Not preachy at all. If you don't mind my saying so, it sounds the sort of thing John might say.
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Through the fry-up stage already. And that's a nice gloss on indulgence and its after effects. Will remember that for next time.
V glad to hear you're moving forwards a little. The project sounds good. (And stones in your shoes, yes. They wear a little smooth in time.)
mathewlyons.bsky.social
Ah, I took it you were on a course or something. Strange learning sounds a mixed bag. Hope you're ok - this week and in the scheme of things.
All good here. (Well, hungover and trying to work, but plus ca change…)
mathewlyons.bsky.social
There are some wonderful interviews with Wheeler on the BBC archive. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
lbflyawayhome.bsky.social
An observation test for you - for your inner 8 year-old

“The artist has hidden 12 things in this picture. How many can you find?”

Treasure magazine, 1964
Official answers coming soon

(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one? 🙏)
Black-and-white picture of two children playing in woodland. Also in the picture, there are 12 hidden animals including an owl, a bat and a squirrel.