Dr Elizabeth Norton
@enortonhistory.bsky.social
Historian and Archaeologist. Author of The Lives of Tudor Women and England’s Queens. Appears on TV. Likes travel.
Great to see some actual images from inside great library of Alexandria before it burned in 48 BCE. What’s everyone reading? I think it’s Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy. Good choice Egypt had two rival queens, Cleopatra VII & Arsinoe IV, at that point #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Great to see some actual images from inside great library of Alexandria before it burned in 48 BCE. What’s everyone reading? I think it’s Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy. Good choice Egypt had two rival queens, Cleopatra VII & Arsinoe IV, at that point #womenwhoruledtheworld
Lingerie made for Lady Mountbatten in 1940s, made of World War II escape maps printed on silk due to the fabric’s durability. With the continuation of rationing after end of war, this was a practical use for the maps. On display in Secret Maps exhibition in @britishlibrary.bsky.social #secretmaps
November 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Lingerie made for Lady Mountbatten in 1940s, made of World War II escape maps printed on silk due to the fabric’s durability. With the continuation of rationing after end of war, this was a practical use for the maps. On display in Secret Maps exhibition in @britishlibrary.bsky.social #secretmaps
An atlas commissioned by Mary I as a gift for Philip II of Spain, open on the page showing West Africa. On display in the Secret Maps exhibition in @britishlibrary #secretmaps #maryi #marytudor #tudor #tudors
November 20, 2025 at 11:43 PM
An atlas commissioned by Mary I as a gift for Philip II of Spain, open on the page showing West Africa. On display in the Secret Maps exhibition in @britishlibrary #secretmaps #maryi #marytudor #tudor #tudors
Lovely to see @nathenamin.bsky.social at tonight’s private viewing of the new Secret Maps exhibition at @britishlibrary.bsky.social We spotted some fifteenth and sixteenth century maps in this stunning exhibition #secretmaps
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Lovely to see @nathenamin.bsky.social at tonight’s private viewing of the new Secret Maps exhibition at @britishlibrary.bsky.social We spotted some fifteenth and sixteenth century maps in this stunning exhibition #secretmaps
Fabulous to attend a private viewing of Secret Maps, new exhibition at @britishlibrary.bsky.social tonight. With maps dating back more than 800 years, the exhibition takes a global perspective, looking at what map makers wanted their audience to see, and what they don’t
#secretmaps #britishlibrary
#secretmaps #britishlibrary
November 20, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Fabulous to attend a private viewing of Secret Maps, new exhibition at @britishlibrary.bsky.social tonight. With maps dating back more than 800 years, the exhibition takes a global perspective, looking at what map makers wanted their audience to see, and what they don’t
#secretmaps #britishlibrary
#secretmaps #britishlibrary
Pomare IV nonplussed to receive a carriage& drawing room furniture from Queen Victoria after requesting help in 1843 when France tried to colonise Tahiti. Still they let her take her copy of Women Who Ruled the World when driving her out of her palace. So that’s all right then #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Pomare IV nonplussed to receive a carriage& drawing room furniture from Queen Victoria after requesting help in 1843 when France tried to colonise Tahiti. Still they let her take her copy of Women Who Ruled the World when driving her out of her palace. So that’s all right then #womenwhoruledtheworld
Cleopatra was not best pleased to hear that the Romans had accidentally burned down the great Library of Alexandria in 48 BCE. Still, at least she kept hold of her copy of Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy which she wasn’t due to return for another week #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 19, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Cleopatra was not best pleased to hear that the Romans had accidentally burned down the great Library of Alexandria in 48 BCE. Still, at least she kept hold of her copy of Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy which she wasn’t due to return for another week #womenwhoruledtheworld
Wu Zetian, China’s only female head of state, has a poor reputation, not uncommon amongst powerful women who often attract negative comments. Wu, who took throne in her late sixties is shown here with her favourite book, Women Who Ruled the World. Unsurprisingly, she features #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Wu Zetian, China’s only female head of state, has a poor reputation, not uncommon amongst powerful women who often attract negative comments. Wu, who took throne in her late sixties is shown here with her favourite book, Women Who Ruled the World. Unsurprisingly, she features #womenwhoruledtheworld
All set for an evening out in Cambridge #cambridge
November 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
All set for an evening out in Cambridge #cambridge
Spotted in Heffers Bookshop in Cambridge #mybook #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Spotted in Heffers Bookshop in Cambridge #mybook #womenwhoruledtheworld
Rather a nice room for the night at Peterhouse, the oldest college at Cambridge. The room hangs over the courtyard, joining the fellows’ parlour to the chapel. I particularly like the portrait of Charles I as a martyr, although may find it a bit alarming after dark #peterhouse #peterhousecambridge
November 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Rather a nice room for the night at Peterhouse, the oldest college at Cambridge. The room hangs over the courtyard, joining the fellows’ parlour to the chapel. I particularly like the portrait of Charles I as a martyr, although may find it a bit alarming after dark #peterhouse #peterhousecambridge
Reposted by Dr Elizabeth Norton
So happy to hear the talented historian-authors @claireridgway.bsky.social & @enortonhistory.bsky.social discuss WOMEN WHO RULED THE WORLD: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tME6... Now listening to this #newrelease on Audible. #history #queens #kings #women #rulers #femalekings
Queens, “Female Kings,” and Power: Elizabeth Norton Explains
YouTube video by The Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
So happy to hear the talented historian-authors @claireridgway.bsky.social & @enortonhistory.bsky.social discuss WOMEN WHO RULED THE WORLD: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tME6... Now listening to this #newrelease on Audible. #history #queens #kings #women #rulers #femalekings
Great to receive new issue of the fabulous @tudorplaces.bsky.social magazine today. I wrote the article ‘In the Footsteps of Reigning Queens’, which looks at the places associated with the 16thC reigning queens of England and Scotland, as well as further afield #tudorplaces #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 8, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Great to receive new issue of the fabulous @tudorplaces.bsky.social magazine today. I wrote the article ‘In the Footsteps of Reigning Queens’, which looks at the places associated with the 16thC reigning queens of England and Scotland, as well as further afield #tudorplaces #womenwhoruledtheworld
Wedding feasts can be long & boring, especially if you’re only 12. Luckily Empress Matilda brought a book, Women Who Ruled the World. It gave her some great ideas when she claimed the English crown in 1135. Sadly, Stephen, who usurped her throne, hadn’t read the book himself #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Wedding feasts can be long & boring, especially if you’re only 12. Luckily Empress Matilda brought a book, Women Who Ruled the World. It gave her some great ideas when she claimed the English crown in 1135. Sadly, Stephen, who usurped her throne, hadn’t read the book himself #womenwhoruledtheworld
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Margaret Beaufort by @historylauren.bsky.social which launched today. My comments are below:
#margaretbeaufort
#margaretbeaufort
November 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Margaret Beaufort by @historylauren.bsky.social which launched today. My comments are below:
#margaretbeaufort
#margaretbeaufort
It was lovely to attend the launch this evening of Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, Rebel, Kingmaker by the fabulous @historylauren.bsky.social A great evening and I’m sure that the book will do really well! #margaretbeaufort
November 5, 2025 at 10:10 PM
It was lovely to attend the launch this evening of Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, Rebel, Kingmaker by the fabulous @historylauren.bsky.social A great evening and I’m sure that the book will do really well! #margaretbeaufort
Reposted by Dr Elizabeth Norton
Remember remember the fifth of November 💥 Back in July I had the pleasure of chairing a panel exploding the myths of the Gunpowder Plot with @elegantfowl.bsky.social @misswalsingham.bsky.social Prof Stephen Alford and @enortonhistory.bsky.social at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Remember remember the fifth of November 💥 Back in July I had the pleasure of chairing a panel exploding the myths of the Gunpowder Plot with @elegantfowl.bsky.social @misswalsingham.bsky.social Prof Stephen Alford and @enortonhistory.bsky.social at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival
#otd 1605 Guy Fawkes found attempting to blow up parliament. Plotters wanted to make 9 yr old Princess Elizabeth queen. Perhaps inspired by idea of another reigning queen by reading Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 years of Female Monarchy? Thanks for endorsement… I suppose 😦 #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 5, 2025 at 8:16 AM
#otd 1605 Guy Fawkes found attempting to blow up parliament. Plotters wanted to make 9 yr old Princess Elizabeth queen. Perhaps inspired by idea of another reigning queen by reading Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 years of Female Monarchy? Thanks for endorsement… I suppose 😦 #womenwhoruledtheworld
Fishbourne Roman Palace’s Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic, mid 2ndC CE. Saved from plough damage due to subsiding pits dug before the villa was built. Depicts Cupid, holding a trident and riding on a dolphin alongside mythical sea creatures #fishbourne #fishbourneromanpalace #roman #romans #romanbritain
November 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Fishbourne Roman Palace’s Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic, mid 2ndC CE. Saved from plough damage due to subsiding pits dug before the villa was built. Depicts Cupid, holding a trident and riding on a dolphin alongside mythical sea creatures #fishbourne #fishbourneromanpalace #roman #romans #romanbritain
Fishbourne Roman Palace’s Medusa mosaic, which was laid in the early 2ndC CE directly on top of an earlier black and white box and key mosaic, which can be seen in places where the later mosaic is damaged #fishbourneromanpalace #fishbourne #roman #romans #romanbritain
November 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Fishbourne Roman Palace’s Medusa mosaic, which was laid in the early 2ndC CE directly on top of an earlier black and white box and key mosaic, which can be seen in places where the later mosaic is damaged #fishbourneromanpalace #fishbourne #roman #romans #romanbritain
Fascinating to explore Fishbourne Roman Palace, built 1stC CE & one of the grandest Roman residences ever found in Britain. It was excavated in the 1960s following a chance discovery when workmen were digging a trench for a water pipe #fishbourne #romanbritain #romans #roman #fishbourneromanpalace
November 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Fascinating to explore Fishbourne Roman Palace, built 1stC CE & one of the grandest Roman residences ever found in Britain. It was excavated in the 1960s following a chance discovery when workmen were digging a trench for a water pipe #fishbourne #romanbritain #romans #roman #fishbourneromanpalace
Come with me to visit Fishbourne Roman Palace in West Sussex #romans #roman #romanbritain #fishbourne #history
November 4, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Come with me to visit Fishbourne Roman Palace in West Sussex #romans #roman #romanbritain #fishbourne #history
1921 film The Queen of Sheba famous for skimpy costumes worn by star Betty Blythe. Less noted for historical accuracy, with the real Queen a warrior Kandake in Sudan & Ethiopia. Blythe should have lent Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy to the writers #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
1921 film The Queen of Sheba famous for skimpy costumes worn by star Betty Blythe. Less noted for historical accuracy, with the real Queen a warrior Kandake in Sudan & Ethiopia. Blythe should have lent Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy to the writers #womenwhoruledtheworld
Nice to see that Pola Negri was determined to get into character as Catherine the Great in the 1924 silent film Forbidden Paradise. In a plot centred on revolutions, rebellions & romance she turned to Women Who ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy for source material #womenwhoruledtheworld
November 1, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Nice to see that Pola Negri was determined to get into character as Catherine the Great in the 1924 silent film Forbidden Paradise. In a plot centred on revolutions, rebellions & romance she turned to Women Who ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy for source material #womenwhoruledtheworld
Halloween tree… too much? 🎃 👻 🧙 #halloween #halloween2025
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Halloween tree… too much? 🎃 👻 🧙 #halloween #halloween2025