Rebecca Rideal

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra? The Egyptian queen has fascinated me from childhood, but following the archives led only to ancient gossip and Roman propaganda. Fiction was the way to liberate her from misogynist myth

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra? Excellent piece from Saara El-Arifi, who’ll be speaking at #HistFest2026 on 18 April. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...

Thank you x

Tony Devenport found guilty of murdering Stephanie Blundell Chester Crown Court has found Tony Devenport guilty of murdering his partner Stephanie Blundell in July last year.

I might say more one day, I might not. For now, I will remember my dear friend as she was - a glorious whirlwind, beautiful, funny, and the Hermia to my Helena. Stolen far too soon. 🤍 www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/2588646...

Photo of me and my best friend Steph

Photo of me and my best friend Steph

Photo of me and my best friend Steph

Photo of me and my best friend Steph

Literally no words to describe losing someone so dear. What a privilege to know you Steph. How lucky I was.

Spring, finally

If you haven’t tried a course at @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social yet, maybe this could be the one for you to dip your toe in…? It’ll be a great day

Photo of wunmi mosaku holding her bafta

Photo of robert aramayo holding his baftas

Ah! I’m so pleased about these wins! #bafta

I mean, yeah, but just anyone at this point

Oh my, yes

It’s really jarring.

I hate to be the broken record but class really is one of the greatest barriers to success in the creative industries right now. It intersects with so many other barriers too.

I keep imagining what a Wuthering Heights film might be like if it were directed by a working class filmmaker.

Nothing puts life into perspective more than following the murder trial for a best friend’s death.

Barely able to follow the news. But every time I glance, it’s basically just privileged men using their power over the less powerful. Sometimes aided by equally privileged women. Repeatedly.

📅#OTD 1644. London.
Parliament discusses the 'good Affections' of the Elector Palatine.
Though Prince Rupert's brother, the elector should have 'Expression' of reward.
Princes Rupert and Maurice, however, 'deserves ill from this Kingdom' on account of their service in King Charles I's armies.

B93: A Dark Interstellar Ghost apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26022...
The 93rd entry in Barnard’s Catalogue of Dark Nebulae, B93 lies within the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud (Messier 24), where its darkness stands in stark contrast to bright stars and gas in the background

Agree. It will make him more popular.

Rule Britannia: Queens, Power, Thrones From the Tudors to the twentieth century, join leading historians Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis and Rebecca Rideal for an absorbing study day spotlighting queens who ruled in their own rig...

📣 RULE BRITANNIA: QUEENS, POWER, THRONES
Sat 7 March | University of Oxford

Come and join Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis and myself in Oxford for a special study day exploring all things queens.

There’s still time to sign up lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/rule...

Thanks for sharing

She never lived to see this moment, but it’s worth remembering that none of this would have happened without Virginia Giuffre.

She had the courage to speak out against power and privilege when it was just her word against Andrew’s.

Thanks to her, justice & accountability may finally have its day.

#HistoryEducation

If you haven’t tried a course at @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social yet, maybe this could be the one for you to dip your toe in…? It’ll be a great day

@oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social @nicolatallis.bsky.social @katewilliamsme.bsky.social

Rule Britannia: Queens, Power, Thrones From the Tudors to the twentieth century, join leading historians Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis and Rebecca Rideal for an absorbing study day spotlighting queens who ruled in their own rig...

📣 RULE BRITANNIA: QUEENS, POWER, THRONES
Sat 7 March | University of Oxford

Come and join Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis and myself in Oxford for a special study day exploring all things queens.

There’s still time to sign up lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/rule...

Bet he’s sweating now

Why is he giving me Earl of Bothwell vibes?

😂

Living for all the ‘royals have been arrested before’ posts. Historians, I adore you all.

An image of a red and gold throne. The text says Rule Britannia: Queens, Power, Thrones. Sat 7 March | Oxford. Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis, Rebecca Rideal.

Rule Britannia: Queens, Power, Thrones
Sat 7 March | Oxford

Join Prof. Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis & Rebecca Rideal for a special study day spotlighting queens who have ruled in their own right – from the Tudor period to the twentieth century. Sign up lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/rule...

The AI "caricature" trend has been very distressing to genuine caricaturists like my husband @tealcartoons.bsky.social. We've been discussing how to reconnect with people & remind them what human-made art looks like. He just started a YT channel. Please subscribe, share & delight in real caricature!

Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’s Naval Mastermind
1PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY

Join Prof. Michael Scott for a special lecture exploring the life & legend of Themistocles - one of ancient Greece's greatest heroes.

Part of #HistFest2026. Book now events.bl.uk/events/histf...