Sharon Bennett Connolly

Guest Post: Jane Boleyn, née Parker, the infamous Lady Rochford – The Perfect Scapegoat by Monika E. Simon It is a pleasure to welcome historian Monika E. Simon back to History...the Interesting Bits. Monika is here to talk about Jane Boleyn, the infamous Lady Rochford

Guest Post: Jane Boleyn, née Parker, the infamous Lady Rochford – The Perfect Scapegoat by Monika E. Simon

It is a pleasure to welcome historian Monika E. Simon back to History...the Interesting Bits. Monika is here to talk about Jane Boleyn, the infamous Lady Rochford

As it's Valentine's Day, how about a little discussion on medieval couples. Who are your favourites - and was it true love? 💕
#medievalsky

Alice Chaucer: the Making of a Duchess Granddaughter of the father of English literature, Alice Chaucer rose high in Lancastrian court circles, only to change allegiances when necessity called for it. She did what was necessary to protect her son's interests.

Alice Chaucer: the Making of a Duchess

Granddaughter of the father of English literature, Alice Chaucer rose high in Lancastrian court circles, only to change allegiances when necessity called for it. She did what was necessary to protect her son's interests.

She was! I love her story 💕

The Many Marriages of Bess of Hardwick Bess of Hardwick Bess of Hardwick is perhaps the most famous Tudor woman, outside of the extended Tudor royal family. A friend of Queen Elizabeth I, and confidant of Katherine Grey, she was also ga…

On this day in History: 1610
Death of Bess of Hardwick, probably the most famous non-royal Tudor woman.She is renowned for her building projects, her stunning needlework, being the gaoler of Mary, Queen of Scots- and for surviving four husbands
#tudorsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2024/12/21/t...

Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments …

I am delighted to be taking part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events!
It's a whole weekend of online History lectures with a live Q&A with the historians on the Sunday. All for only £22
@britishhistory.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2026/02/07/o...

Henry Tudor | A Slice of Medieval #86 In our first 'Goes Tudor' episode, historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly and historical author, Derek Birks are joined by historical fiction author, Tony Riches, to discuss Henry Tudor's path to the thro

New episode: We are running a series of Tudor Specials in 2026 and in the first of our "A Slice of Medieval Goes Tudor" episodes the inimitable @tonyriches.bsky.social joins us to discuss the first of the Tudors: Henry VII
#Tudor
@derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
bit.ly/3OjIV5X

My jokes always go awry in the midst of my history talks. The audience smile politely....

I think the high number of comedians writing history books, most of them regurgitating facts that have long been disproved, is even worse. They don't even pretend to do the research and just retell the same old stories, with a few jokes and nicknames thrown in.

Huge thanks to @matthewharffy.bsky.social and @justinhillauthor.bsky.social for letting me witter on about my Princesses of the Early Middle Ages.
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ

Huge thanks to @matthewharffy.bsky.social and @justinhillauthor.bsky.social for letting me witter on about my Princesses of the Early Middle Ages.
This was great fun!
#medievalsky
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess
tinyurl.com/42d58uyd
youtu.be/Q4jHQCuMTdQ

Couverture de la bd Medieval girlfriends par Juliette Cousin L'image représente une femme chevalier sur un cheval

Je suis tombé par hasard sur cette petite pépite dessinée : "Medieval Girlfriends", par Juliette Cousin. Un roman graphique sans texte qui réinvente avec finesse le mythe du chevalier tueur de monstres... #vendredilecture #medievalsky #medievalists

Book Corner: Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.

Book Corner: Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb

Woohoo! A Robin Hood story! Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb is a fabulous adventure set in the midst of the First Barons' War, with Nicholaa de la Haye in a sup[porting role.

The First Battle of Lincoln, 1141 1141 Battle of Lincoln from Historia Anglorum I have written previously about the 1217 Battle of Lincoln, but did you know that was the Second Battle of Lincoln? The First Battle of Lincoln occurre…

On this day in History: 1141
The 1st Battle of Lincoln was fought between the forces of King Stephen and those of Empress Matilda, Stephen was captured, the Empress was declared 'Lady of the English'
If only the war had ended on that day....
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2020/07/18/t...

Wordly Women: Charlene Newcomb Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops

Wordly Women: Charlene Newcomb

Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with my good friend Charlene Newcomb, just as her latest book, Rogues and Kings hits the shops

OwainGlyndwr | A Slice of Medieval #85 Historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly and historical author, Derek Birks are joined by author and historian, Nathen Amin, to discuss the rise and fall of Owain Glyndwr. Music by Adriel Fair licensed f

Today, on A Slice of Medieval, Sharon Bennett Connolly and @derekbirks.bsky.social are joined by author and historian, @nathenamin.bsky.social , to discuss the rise and fall of Owain Glyndwr.
#medievalsky
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

Ooh, Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets - the sequel to Princesses of the Early Middle Ages - has a release date!
30 August 2026.
Princesses of the Later Middle Ages shines a light on the lives and experiences of some remarkable women.
mybook.to/LaterPrinces...

Good luck!

Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’

Online History Festival: Defining Moments in British History

I am delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s Online History Festival hosted by British History Events! The theme and title of this year’s festival (their 6th) is ‘Defining Moments in British History’

Book Corner: Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.

Book Corner: Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks

Book Corner: I LOVE Michael Jecks' latest book, Pilgrim's War. Set during the First Crusade, it has all the elements of a great novel; good story, strong characters and the occasional twist.

Guest Post: Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform by Heather R. Darsie The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the Interesting Bits with a taster extract from her latest book, If Any Person Will Meddle of My Cause: The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn.

Guest Post: Anne Boleyn Forces Legal Reform by Heather R. Darsie

The mother of one of England's greatest monarchs, Anne Boleyn holds the tragic distinction of being the first queen of England to ever be executed. And today, it is a pleasure to welcome historian Heather R. Darsie to History ... the…

The Unfortunate Wives of Philip II of France Coronation of Philip II Augustus Philip II Augustus had acceded to the throne of France in 1180, at the tender age of fifteen. He married his first wife, Isabella of Hainault the same year; she was…

On this day in History: 1200
France is placed under interdict after Philip II refused to return to his wife, Ingeborg of Denmark, who he had abandoned - and later imprisoned - the morning after their wedding in August 1193
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2017/01/15/t...

Thank you! 😘

Just had the pdf of the new book land - this is the final layout with index - so need to have one last look through, make sure there's no glaring errors. Then its ready to go and will be out in the world in about 10 weeks.
Almost there...
@penandswordbooks.bsky.social
mybook.to/EarlyPrincess

Post Roman Britain | A Slice of Medieval #84 Historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly and historical author, Derek Birks discuss the problems faced by Britain in the fifth century after the end of Roman rule. They also consider whether there was actua

New episode time! Post-Roman Britain
Derek and Sharon have a look at what life was like after the Romans left British shores - and whether or not King Arthur really existed
#Podcasts @derekbirks.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#Romans #medieval
soundcloud.com/user-1425259...

Eleanor, the ‘Pearl of Brittany’ Eleanor of Brittany Eleanor of Brittany was born around 1184, the daughter of Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke of Brittany by right of his wife, and Constance of Brittany. Whilst estranged from his father…

I have always had a soft spot for Eleanor of Brittany. Captured as a teenager, she spent almost 40 years imprisoned in various castles in England. And all because she had a greater claim to the throne than King John and his son, Henry III.
#medievalsky
historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/01/24/e...

Totally!

Wordly Women: Catherine Hokin I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.

Wordly Women: Catherine Hokin

I am stepping out of my medieval comfort zone today to chat with Catherine Hokin. It is always nice to stray into other eras and see what they have to offer; Catherine is a historical fiction author who focuses on the twentieth century.

Earl Warenne and the Second Crusade Coat of arms of the Warenne earls of Surrey, in the Gundrada Chapel of Trinity Church, Southover When looking at a particular period or event in history, it can be easy to assume that it was all-co…

#OTD in 1148
Death of William de Warenne during the Second Crusade. Warenne had accompanied his cousin, Louis VII on the Second Crusade and was killed in the fighting in the Battle of Mount Cadmus, Laodicea. #medievalsky @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
historytheinterestingbits.com/2021/10/30/e...