I had so much fun chatting with everyone about all things Eighteenth Century, including chairing the discussion for the panel ‘Genre, Emotion and Philosophy’. And of course I took the opportunity to treat myself to some new books! 📚✨
Another gorgeous week at Pembroke College last week for #BSECS2026 (despite a slightly chaotic travel-related start)! ❄️ Thanks so much to the conference organisers, speakers, and everyone involved for such a wonderful week 💖
post-conference prosecco 🥂✨ #bsecs2026
Pembroke at dusk 🎀✨ #BSECS2026
Happy New Year #18thCists #skystorians!
We can't wait to welcome you to @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social NEXT WEEK for #BSECS2026.
You can register FOR THE CONFERENCE ONLY [no accommodation or meals] at the registration desk from 8am, 7 January.
Programme available here:
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Merry Christmas from me and Santa Keats! 🎄❤️✨
Incipit gestis Rudolphi rangifer tarandus Hwæt, Hrodulf readnosa hrandeor – Næfde þæt nieten unsciende næsðyrlas! Glitenode and gladode godlice nosgrisele. Ða hofberendas mid huscwordum hine gehefigodon; Nolden þa geneatas Hrodulf næftig To gomene hraniscum geador ætsomne. Þa in Cristesmæsseæfne stormigum clommum, Halga Claus þæt gemunde to him maðelode: “Neahfreond nihteage nosubeorhtende! Min hroden hrædwæn gelæd ðu, Hrodulf!” Ða gelufodon hira laddeor þa lyftflogan – Wæs glædnes and gliwdream; hornede sum gegieddode “Hwæt, Hrodulf readnosa hrandeor, Brad springð þin blæd: breme eart þu!”
Rendered literally into modern English: Here begins the deeds of Rudolph, Tundra-Wanderer Lo, Hrodulf the red-nosed reindeer – That beast didn’t have unshiny nostrils! The goodly nose-cartilage glittered and glowed. The hoof-bearers taunted him with proud words; The comrades wouldn’t allow wretched Hrodulf To join the reindeer games. Then, on Christmas Eve bound in storms Santa Claus remembered that, spoke formally to him: “Dear night-sighted friend, nose-bright one! You, Hrodulf, shall lead my adorned rapid-wagon!” Then the sky-flyers praised their lead-deer – There was gladness and music; one of the horned ones sang “Lo, Hrodulf the red-nosed reindeer, Your fame spreads broadly, you are renowned!”
Lo, Hrodulf the red-nosed reindeer –
That beast didn’t have unshiny nostrils!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in Anglo Saxon meter:
allthingslinguistic.com/post/1359368...
A botanical collage of holly by Mary Delany (1700-1788).
A botanical collage of mistletoe by Mary Delany (1700-1788).
Some festive greenery courtesy of Mary Delany.
“Windows + ;” when in a new outlook message brings up the full panel with 🎄🎅❄️✨ and all! Merry Christmas!!
Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in a badly photoshopped Santa hat
In vain I have struggled,
It will not do
All I want for Christmas,
unfortunately, is you
Have you heard?! We currently have 2 vacancies on the #BSECS Council:
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer (working with me!)
Posts are voluntary but #BSECS pays travel and accommodation costs, the term of office is 3yrs.
Details here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
The #18thC Ecologies Network, based @cecs-york.bsky.social is a hub for researchers interested in the many diverse ecologies the period.
Details of their seminar series will be published here:
hzj520.wixsite.com/eighteenth-c...
#skystorians #climate #environhist 🗃️
Had lots of fun hosting our Long Nineteenth Century Studies Christmas Quiz again this year!🎄❤️ My favourite rounds to make were “Nineteenth Century Poetry or 80s Song?” and “Who’s masquerading as Father Christmas?” with Joseph Swan definitely making the best imposter Santa Claus! 🎅🏼✨
Black and white photo of a shorthaired pretty little white cat standing on a lawn in front of a white clapboard building. It’s looks like it might be meowing as the mouth seems open. Its tail is up and it has a happy, relaxed air about it.
Little ghost! 👻 Photo from my collection, 1964.
Suit of armour in front of two decorated Christmas trees, against backdrop of stone castle wall. The suit of armour holds the Hylton family heraldic shield adorned with a red bow, and wears a Santa hat.
‘Twas the knight before Christmas ⚔️🎄💫
Being out past my bedtime is making me feel my Spotify age…
A screenshot showing an old chair and on it, it says: "Everyone who ever sat on this chair is now dead. Play it safe and remain standing." The caption reads: "best 'do not touch' museum sign ever?
Nerd humor coming your way 😂
Spotify wrapped giving me the opportunity to celebrate my favourite podcasts! 🎉 I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to these this year - would definitely recommend 🖤✨ @threeravenspod.bsky.social @icysedgwick.bsky.social @lingthusiasm.bsky.social
Close up of black cat paws sitting on rug style mouse pad.
Mousepad makes perfect seat for tiny feet 🐾✨
There's nothing better than #festivelights by the fire. Here's Joseph Swan & his wife sitting by the fire at their home in Warlingham c 1904 #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Christmas collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll... @arascot.bsky.social
Sun shining through autumn trees in a cemetery.
Jesmond Old Cemetery in Newcastle upon Tyne was founded in 1834. The north's most notable architect, John Dobson, designed the cemetery, and he was later buried here.
Happy National Black Cat Day to my sleepy little shadow 🐈⬛❤️✨
library’s a bit cold; let’s just read in bed… might as well lie down… it’ll be cosier lying on my side… i’ll feel more awake if i just rest my eyes for ten seconds… a quick power nap will help me focus…
Front cover of the booklet created for the opening of the Percy Building.
Photograph of the front of the Percy Building facing onto the Quadrangle.
Group of attendees at the official opening of the Percy Building.
#OTD in 1958 @newcastleuni.bsky.social Percy Building was officially opened by Professor J. Dover Wilson, and named after the first Rector of Kings College, Lord Eustace Percy.
Browse the brochure for the opening event on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
Great! Looking forward to it ✨
This looks great! Will it be recorded? 😊
How I love mornings like this 🍂❄️🥰
Today should have been the deadline for #BSECS2026, but we are extending it by a WHOLE EXTRA WEEK! Share your research with us @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026 by sending us your proposals before MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Little black cat on a black and white patterned blanket.
Just a spooky girl enjoying her spooky blanket 🖤✨
Congratulations Cleo! 🥳✨