Linda Porter

Quite unexpectedly, I'll be talking about Katherine Parr twice in 2026, some sixteen years after my biography of her first appeared in hardback.

Thanks, Heidi.

Eighteen months of promoting Margaret have left me worn out, if I'm honest, but she still seems to resonate with audiences who know little or nothing about her.

Probably not popular with Elizabeth's die-hard supporters but the prevailing - and ill-informed - view of Mary as a spoilt ninny needs to be challenged by a less anti-feminist point of view.

Looking forward to this. I've spoken at Southwark Cathedral before several times, but never in the nave itself.

Just a few days to go now, so do get your tickets.

Will at centre of legal battle over Shakespeare’s home unearthed after 150 years Document from 1642 made by husband of Shakespeare’s granddaughter found in unlabelled box at National Archives

I found a cool Shakespeare thing. www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

Looking forward to this.

You can now pre-order the paperback of my book with a 25% price reduction in this special summer offer from @waterstones.bsky.social . Available online or on the app only. Use code SUMMER25 at checkout. @headofzeus.bsky.social

Absolutely delighted to be giving a paper, looking at how the network of Mary I's attendants maintained their faith after her death.

S is for Mary Scrope who attended Katharine of Aragon at the Field of Cloth of Gold. Her 2nd husband was Sir William Kingston, deputy lieutenant of the Tower. She waited on Anne Boleyn during her imprisonment, to Anne’s dismay, as Mary’s loyalty remained with Katharine. amzn.to/3X5KVBp

Who writes this rubbish? Naseby was an important battle but it can hardly be described as the birthplace of democracy.

Universities do research that may not be commercially viable now but will be transformative down the line. They correct for market failure. If all they do is think like enterprises then they become a part of that market failure.

#OnThisDay 13 May 1662: Catherine of Braganza arrived in England to marry Charles II. She wasn’t a whining wimp—she was a savvy, accomplished queen and regent.

@drlindaporter.bsky.social joined me to set the record straight.

Listen now 🎧 pod.fo/e/1ef377
#OTD #OnThisDate #History #Podcast

Labour has a whopping great majority and four years left to turn this country around.

They should be setting the agenda, not chasing about trying to placate voters of a party with five MPs who will never vote for them anyway.

It's not only disappointing... it's embarrassing

Just two weeks until I'll be at Dumfries House for @bozzybookfest.bsky.social, talking with @huntingrebels.bsky.social about Margaret Tudor and Mary Queen of Scots, in a session chaired by @agroundwater.bsky.social . Cannot wait!

And people say Church History isn’t important

👑 @drlindaporter.bsky.social is busting myths about Margaret Tudor!

Far from an over-sexed failure, she fought fiercely for her son James V’s throne. 💪

🎧 Hear more on History Rage at the Gloucester History Festival!
🎟️ Tickets: www.gloucesterhistor...

Possibly. Am I the only one who finds her just a bit creepy?

2/3
Your ticket will not only get you my lecture on Mary, but will give you access to lectures from (in no particular order!) @sixteenthcgirl.bsky.social, @tracyborman.bsky.social, Gareth Russell, @laceybonarhull.bsky.social, @drlindaporter.bsky.social, Peter Stiffell, Kate McCaffrey …

I can't immediately recall. But I think I would go first to the TNA. Perhaps if you take an image from the State Papers themselves, via TNA, it would simplify things. @nicolatallis.bsky.social uses the famous Tide Letter in her book 'Young Elizabeth' and credits TNA.

I'll look forward to it.

The idea that Mary Queen of Scots was a 'failure' has been persuasively challenged for at least the last decade. She was a more effective ruler of Scotland, especially given extraordinarily difficult circumstances, than used to be supposed. I do wish female historians would stop this negativity.

April 2025 issue of BBC History Magazine out now!

Was Charles I a tyrant? Pick up a copy of the latest BBC History Magazine and you can see what I think:
www.historyextra.com/magazine/cur...

One of the reasons people turned to Parliament for constitutional safeguards in the 17th century was that it was increasingly clear that the judges were not impartial. Indeed, ensuring judicial independence was a goal of the Parliamentarian side in 1642.

Congratulations, Helen!

Didn't fanfare this much last week as I was on leave, but excited to have a new article out (Open Access) in De Medio Aevo on the dowers of the Angevin Queens. This was a big nugget of the PhD I wanted to publish, so very glad it's out in the world!

revistas.ucm.es/index.php/DM...

Save the Dartington Forest Garden - The Agroforestry Research Trust

What the hell are Dartington playing at?
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
www.agroforestry.co.uk/save-darting...

YouTube video by Lili1127 Philip II & the Battle of Saint-Quentin (Carlos, rey emperador)

For anyone wanting an excellent drama about the emperor Charles V, his son Philip II (and Mary I), as well as handsome soldier Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, this Spanish series, with English subtitles, is well worth watching. With thanks to @elurgo.bsky.social. youtu.be/tKLlXFNe9xw?...

Here's hoping Chuck Tingle is even now sitting down to pen a tale of the Enola GAY