Gemma Hollman
@gemmahauthor.bsky.social
Historian, author, and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Runs the Just History Posts blog. Specialises in late medieval women and the English court. Find my links: https://lnk.bio/GemmaHAuthor
Pinned
Gemma Hollman
@gemmahauthor.bsky.social
· Jan 12
Hello Bluesky!
I'm excited to get tucked in to this app, so to start, a little about me:
I'm a historian and author who specialises in later medieval history, particular women's history and the English royal court, and have published three books. I also run a blog called Just History Posts!
I'm excited to get tucked in to this app, so to start, a little about me:
I'm a historian and author who specialises in later medieval history, particular women's history and the English royal court, and have published three books. I also run a blog called Just History Posts!
Highly enjoyed tonight's @royalhistsoc.org anniversary lecture Visible | Invisible: Voices of Women in Early Modern Ireland by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, but really struck by this early slide in the presentation. Silences are everywhere in historical data and writing #Skystorians
November 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Highly enjoyed tonight's @royalhistsoc.org anniversary lecture Visible | Invisible: Voices of Women in Early Modern Ireland by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, but really struck by this early slide in the presentation. Silences are everywhere in historical data and writing #Skystorians
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Boy bitten by a crawfish, drawn by Sofonisba Anguissola. Her proud father sent this to Michelangelo to show what a talented daughter he had. Michelangelo agreed! Today is her day.
November 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Boy bitten by a crawfish, drawn by Sofonisba Anguissola. Her proud father sent this to Michelangelo to show what a talented daughter he had. Michelangelo agreed! Today is her day.
🌟New Post!🌟
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
An Interview With: Victoria Panton Bacon, Second World War Historian
Hello and welcome back to our "An Interview With" series! Today it is my pleasure to have author and historian of the Second World War, Victoria Panton Bacon, on as our guest, in a timely post for Remembrance Day. Today also sees the release of Victoria's first children's book, Their Second World War. Victoria is a ‘People Person’, and loves to write, particularly about the Second World War – her four published books all contain true stories of WWII, given to her by veterans who lived through it, or by family members wanting their loved one’s experiences to be recorded.
justhistoryposts.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
🌟New Post!🌟
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
Today I chat with Second World War historian and author Victoria Panton Bacon about her new children's book, Their Second World War. In time for Remembrance Day, it's important to reflect: how can we present these stories for a young generation? #history #WWII #ChildrensBooks
The absolutely stunning Tiddy House in Exeter, Devon, England, possibly built in the late 16th century.
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
November 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The absolutely stunning Tiddy House in Exeter, Devon, England, possibly built in the late 16th century.
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
A 4-storey brick and timber-framed house with slate tile roof, it is wonderfully wonky and was lovingly restored to glory by Bill Lovell, who bought the severely disrepaired building in the 1960s
The urn and gold oak wreath of Alexander IV, made in Greece c310 BC. Alexander IV was the son of Alexander the Great, king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. Born after his father had died, a series of regents ruled whilst he grew up but he was assassinated when he came of age at 14 🧵 #history
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The urn and gold oak wreath of Alexander IV, made in Greece c310 BC. Alexander IV was the son of Alexander the Great, king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. Born after his father had died, a series of regents ruled whilst he grew up but he was assassinated when he came of age at 14 🧵 #history
Newsletter out now!
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
October 27, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Newsletter out now!
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
This month I had to focus on the 9 year celebration of Just History Posts. It's so interesting to look at how far the blog has come this year in comparison to last year. Make sure to take a read for free now!
justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/9-years-of... #history #blogs
🌟New Post!🌟
Today we have guest Talia on the blog, exploring the centuries-long origin of the Hundred Years War between England and France. Why did these two countries fight for so long? Where did it all start?
#history #medieval
Today we have guest Talia on the blog, exploring the centuries-long origin of the Hundred Years War between England and France. Why did these two countries fight for so long? Where did it all start?
#history #medieval
The Origins of the Hundred Years’ War
Today I'm pleased to be hosting a guest post looking at the origins of the Hundred Years' War between England and France. This is a topic that comes up quite a lot on this blog, as it's right in my era of expertise, so I'm happy to hear from Talia. Talia is a 19-year-old self-taught future historian focused on Medieval England and the Crusades.
justhistoryposts.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Items frozen in time hit me differently. This is a tub of Ancient Roman cosmetic cream, made around 150AD, found in London during excavations in 2003. It was found in a Roman temple alongside other ritual items as an offering to the gods in the boundary ditch 🧵 #history
October 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Items frozen in time hit me differently. This is a tub of Ancient Roman cosmetic cream, made around 150AD, found in London during excavations in 2003. It was found in a Roman temple alongside other ritual items as an offering to the gods in the boundary ditch 🧵 #history
I'm at that stage of writing where I misread "water side" in Froissart and thought for a second that during the Peasants' Revolt they had put a passed-out Princess Joan down a waterslide...
It may be time for a break!!
It may be time for a break!!
a girl in a pink skirt is going down a water slide with netflix written on the bottom
ALT: a girl in a pink skirt is going down a water slide with netflix written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I'm at that stage of writing where I misread "water side" in Froissart and thought for a second that during the Peasants' Revolt they had put a passed-out Princess Joan down a waterslide...
It may be time for a break!!
It may be time for a break!!
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Don't just buy the newest books. All your favourite authors have excellent back catalogues of works they spent years on. Make sure you pick up those as well (and even better, they tend to be cheaper paperbacks by this point). Older history has value too.
October 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Don't just buy the newest books. All your favourite authors have excellent back catalogues of works they spent years on. Make sure you pick up those as well (and even better, they tend to be cheaper paperbacks by this point). Older history has value too.
On Wednesdays, we wear pink 💅
This is the beautiful Chesme Church, Saint Petersburg, Russia, build in the 1770s at the instigation of Catherine the Great. It was intended to serve as a memorial to the Russian victory over the Turks at the Battle of Chesme #history
This is the beautiful Chesme Church, Saint Petersburg, Russia, build in the 1770s at the instigation of Catherine the Great. It was intended to serve as a memorial to the Russian victory over the Turks at the Battle of Chesme #history
October 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
On Wednesdays, we wear pink 💅
This is the beautiful Chesme Church, Saint Petersburg, Russia, build in the 1770s at the instigation of Catherine the Great. It was intended to serve as a memorial to the Russian victory over the Turks at the Battle of Chesme #history
This is the beautiful Chesme Church, Saint Petersburg, Russia, build in the 1770s at the instigation of Catherine the Great. It was intended to serve as a memorial to the Russian victory over the Turks at the Battle of Chesme #history
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
🌟New Post!🌟
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
It Was Really Her Plantation: White Early American Southern Women’s Positions of Authority on Plantations 1607-1776
Today we have a really interesting guest post lined up for you. I'm happy to introduce Catherine Williams, a graduate student in Early Modern Studies, who will be telling us all about White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed.
justhistoryposts.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🌟New Post!🌟
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
🌟New Post!🌟
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
It Was Really Her Plantation: White Early American Southern Women’s Positions of Authority on Plantations 1607-1776
Today we have a really interesting guest post lined up for you. I'm happy to introduce Catherine Williams, a graduate student in Early Modern Studies, who will be telling us all about White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed.
justhistoryposts.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🌟New Post!🌟
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
Today, guest author Catherine Williams speaks to us about the position of White women in the Early Modern American South. These women held unique positions of power and authority through their scarcity and through the slaves that they owned and managed #history #EarlyModern
Hey authors, don't forget to check if your works are eligible for claiming on the Anthropic class action settlement!
Don't let these companies get away with theft 🙌
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com?_gl=1*558l4m....
#Skystorians #historians #authors
Don't let these companies get away with theft 🙌
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com?_gl=1*558l4m....
#Skystorians #historians #authors
Homepage | ANT
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Hey authors, don't forget to check if your works are eligible for claiming on the Anthropic class action settlement!
Don't let these companies get away with theft 🙌
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com?_gl=1*558l4m....
#Skystorians #historians #authors
Don't let these companies get away with theft 🙌
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com?_gl=1*558l4m....
#Skystorians #historians #authors
It's fashion, dahhling ✨
This 4th century mosaic from the Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, shows female athletes, some of whom are wearing outfits similar to our modern-day bikinis. The women are shown competing in a variety of sports, including weight-lifting, discus, running & ball games #history
This 4th century mosaic from the Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, shows female athletes, some of whom are wearing outfits similar to our modern-day bikinis. The women are shown competing in a variety of sports, including weight-lifting, discus, running & ball games #history
October 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
It's fashion, dahhling ✨
This 4th century mosaic from the Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, shows female athletes, some of whom are wearing outfits similar to our modern-day bikinis. The women are shown competing in a variety of sports, including weight-lifting, discus, running & ball games #history
This 4th century mosaic from the Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, shows female athletes, some of whom are wearing outfits similar to our modern-day bikinis. The women are shown competing in a variety of sports, including weight-lifting, discus, running & ball games #history
Wow, what a stunning find!! #medieval
She is holding a book! 📖
Currently writing a section on visual evidence for book use in medieval Scotland - so this could not be better timed...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Currently writing a section on visual evidence for book use in medieval Scotland - so this could not be better timed...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Rare' medieval hair accessory uncovered at Eilean Donan Castle
The gravoir was used for neatly parting hair and creating elaborate hairstyles.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Wow, what a stunning find!! #medieval
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
The value of cloth was such, in the past, that recycling was a regular feature of sartorial life. Silk brocade worn in the 18th century has been completely repurposed here to fit the fashionable silhouette of the #1820s, too precious not to reuse #nasjonalmuseet #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
October 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The value of cloth was such, in the past, that recycling was a regular feature of sartorial life. Silk brocade worn in the 18th century has been completely repurposed here to fit the fashionable silhouette of the #1820s, too precious not to reuse #nasjonalmuseet #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Today is Just History Posts' 9th birthday! I can't believe it's been almost a decade of writing history. What began as a post-university passion project led to my author career and meeting countless amazing historians. So happy birthday to us 🎈💖
justhistoryposts.com
#HistoryBlogs
justhistoryposts.com
#HistoryBlogs
Just History Posts
justhistoryposts.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Today is Just History Posts' 9th birthday! I can't believe it's been almost a decade of writing history. What began as a post-university passion project led to my author career and meeting countless amazing historians. So happy birthday to us 🎈💖
justhistoryposts.com
#HistoryBlogs
justhistoryposts.com
#HistoryBlogs
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Today, 30th September, is the feast day of St Jerome. The church at Llangwm Uchaf in Monmouthshire is dedicated to this fascinating historically important saint.
1/6
All images © Lily Watts
1/6
All images © Lily Watts
September 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Today, 30th September, is the feast day of St Jerome. The church at Llangwm Uchaf in Monmouthshire is dedicated to this fascinating historically important saint.
1/6
All images © Lily Watts
1/6
All images © Lily Watts
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Self-portrait, Michaelina Wautier, 1649/50.
( Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Today a major exhibition of her work opens in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches museum.
( Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Today a major exhibition of her work opens in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches museum.
September 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Self-portrait, Michaelina Wautier, 1649/50.
( Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Today a major exhibition of her work opens in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches museum.
( Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Today a major exhibition of her work opens in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches museum.
In this month's newsletter I'm having a chat about the Archives and Records Association Conference, Pontefract Castle, Victorian electric fashion, heritage vandalism, jewellery auctions and Nazi-stolen paintings. Phew! Have a read: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/electricit... #history #newsletters
September 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
In this month's newsletter I'm having a chat about the Archives and Records Association Conference, Pontefract Castle, Victorian electric fashion, heritage vandalism, jewellery auctions and Nazi-stolen paintings. Phew! Have a read: justhistoryposts.substack.com/p/electricit... #history #newsletters
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
A tale as old as time:
🟣 “This at once played into fears that men were less than they should be, that they required help, and that rather than go to a doctor for advice lest their inadequacies become known, they should purchase a product from a private company who would keep their secrets instead.”
🟣 “This at once played into fears that men were less than they should be, that they required help, and that rather than go to a doctor for advice lest their inadequacies become known, they should purchase a product from a private company who would keep their secrets instead.”
September 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
A tale as old as time:
🟣 “This at once played into fears that men were less than they should be, that they required help, and that rather than go to a doctor for advice lest their inadequacies become known, they should purchase a product from a private company who would keep their secrets instead.”
🟣 “This at once played into fears that men were less than they should be, that they required help, and that rather than go to a doctor for advice lest their inadequacies become known, they should purchase a product from a private company who would keep their secrets instead.”
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
🌟New post!🌟
The 19th century saw an electricity craze hit, with countless companies harnessing it to sell products. Fashion soon caught on, with electric corsets and belts designed for women and men proclaiming to cure any ailment. But where did this obsession come from? #FashionHistory #history
The 19th century saw an electricity craze hit, with countless companies harnessing it to sell products. Fashion soon caught on, with electric corsets and belts designed for women and men proclaiming to cure any ailment. But where did this obsession come from? #FashionHistory #history
Energising Fashion: The Craze for Electric Corsets and Belts
Fashion is fashionable. It is ever-changing, inspired by culture, religion, and society, and every century has had its own “craze” where people go to extremes that are sometimes criticised by contemporaries, and sometimes by those looking back and wondering “what were they thinking?”. But one trend of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries was that for electric fashion: literally infusing clothes with electricity.
justhistoryposts.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🌟New post!🌟
The 19th century saw an electricity craze hit, with countless companies harnessing it to sell products. Fashion soon caught on, with electric corsets and belts designed for women and men proclaiming to cure any ailment. But where did this obsession come from? #FashionHistory #history
The 19th century saw an electricity craze hit, with countless companies harnessing it to sell products. Fashion soon caught on, with electric corsets and belts designed for women and men proclaiming to cure any ailment. But where did this obsession come from? #FashionHistory #history
Reposted by Gemma Hollman
Look what we have here then.
September 24, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Look what we have here then.