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! - ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

gemmahauthor.bsky.social • 110 days ago

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!

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Comments

libertywill.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hi Gemma,

While your book Women in the Middle Ages looks fascinating, your book about Royal Witches looks even more intriguing.

No pressure, but I welcome anything you might share about the latter, how you feel about it, what to look forward to in reading, anything else noteworthy.

Thank you!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hi Patrick! Thanks for your message. Royal Witches was my first book, based on my Master's dissertation, and follows the lives of four women in the English Royal Family in the 15th century who were all accused of using witchcraft against the king. It's a time when ideas of witchcraft are developing

libertywill.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much for your generous, detailed, and thoughtful responses, Gemma!
Regarding Royal Witches - this sounds so intriguing.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

And so as the century progresses you see the nature of accusations against them change and develop too. I found it fascinating that witchcraft struck right at the heart of the court centuries before the mass witchcraft hunts of the 17th century, and that I hadn't heard of it!

libertywill.bsky.social•109 days ago

That is fascinating, Gemma!
Interesting it "struck right at the heart of the court"!
I'm curious to learn more about witches from at least three angles - the role of misogyny and false condemnation, actual witchcraft and how it fit/didn't in earlier societies, and the role of power dynamics.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•108 days ago

Well you'll certainly find all three within!

libertywill.bsky.social•109 days ago

Fascinating, Gemma!

Your first book about women in the middle ages sounds intriguing.

Cheers!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! It came out just at the end of last year and is an illustrated history, so was quite different to my first two but so much fun to do.

libertywill.bsky.social•109 days ago

Fantastic!

Thank you, Gemma!

muellershewrote.com•110 days ago

Love this!

sybilltrelawney.bsky.social•109 days ago

I’ve always been fascinated by the PlantGenets and the Tudors. Will follow you with interest.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! My books tuck in between those two dynasties so hopefully connects the dots well 😄

hlholeman.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome kindred spirit! Not every day I find another with focus on later medieval history!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! I do love it 🙂

linlars.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome! Some of my fav subjects. Look forward to more from you

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks so much 🙂

picolina.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hi Gemma, following! History fan here, please fb if you can 💙!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

friskiedgrrl.bsky.social•109 days ago

You are now a 'must follow'. Those are books I really want to read.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

That's so kind! Let me know if you read any ☺️

notsodivinemsm.bsky.social•109 days ago

I will be looking for your books as I am a big lover of medieval history, especially women. Are you familiar with Sharon K. Penman's books? Followed you, too.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much! Ooh no I hadn't, but her books sound good, I'll have to take a look

jodyjrj.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome! I am fascinated by medieval history (particularly women's history), so will pick up your books!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Oh thanks so much! I hope you enjoy them ☺️

iamann.bsky.social•109 days ago

"Women in History" Were there really women in history?
I often wondered what women did in history other than provide pleasure for the males.

We need more books about women's roles and how they helped to change the world.
I am sick of hearing how great men were.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Yes, and I'm very glad how many historians have spent recent years delving into women's history - there's so much more out there now

jendufault.bsky.social•109 days ago

Carolyn Walker bynum wrote holy feast, holy fast decades ago, about women's influence on faith through food.Women play a big role in some northern mythology, too, which might be indicative of importance in society.Old Irish marriage laws provide equality based on relative wealth: re queen medb

jendufault.bsky.social•109 days ago

Lots out there, especially lately. Hildegard of bingen is fascinating. Empress Matilda, too, though overshadowed by her daughter in law Eleanor of Aquitaine. Julian of Norwich is another great mystic, and Margery kempe has a lot to say. Joan of Arc, aethelflaed lady of mercians, Emma of Normandy

helenking.bsky.social•109 days ago

Been having a bit of a bonding moment with Hildegard recently so just wrote this… https://theretiringacademic.com/2025/01/12/wheels-within-wheels/

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

All fantastic suggestions and examples!

bigeasydaddy.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome!!
History major here, history buff since 1978.
I look forward to what you bring to the ecosystem.
Glad you’re here!!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks so much! Everyone has been so lovely

titanseeker1.bsky.social•109 days ago

Nice! Always love medieval history. Very relevant as the US enters a new feudal age.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

reapindasoulz.bsky.social•109 days ago

And you sound like someone I need to follow. Welcome!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

onefussyone.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome, Gemma Hollman!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you 🙂

tomsbrown.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome!!!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! 🙂

erikengheim.bsky.social•104 days ago

Cool! Me and my wife both love medieval history (she is a history major). But I have tended to focus on "guy stuff" cross bows, armor, swords, castles, warfare. My wife on manuscripts, literature, clothing, architecture. But paper "Queens" got me interested

https://erikexamines.substack.com/p/are-women-equally-violent-to-men

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•102 days ago

Oh I'll have to take a look! You both might like my first book, Royal Witches, as it covers a lot of both of those things - warfare and intrigue at court during the Wars of the Roses and its lead up, with bits of architecture and clothing and other more domestic matters mixed in.

jetnijkamp.bsky.social•109 days ago

What a great account! Looking forward to your posts.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks a lot!

lucasaurelius.bsky.social•109 days ago

💙now following!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks 🙂

kickasswomenof.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome to BlueSky! I recently read Royal Witches and really enjoyed it. Thank you for following us! Please do get in touch if you ever want to come on the show (Amy)

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much! Glad to hear it. Definitely, I'll send you a message ☺️

alxindia.bsky.social•109 days ago

Good enough for me -- I'm following you now!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much!

sheshe42.bsky.social•109 days ago

Following - I’ve loved medieval history since elementary school when our school would have a medieval times day every year. My Mom also bought my sister and I all of the Jean Plaidy books about the Plantagenets. I’m going to look into your books - they look great! Welcome to Bluesky!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much!! Jean's books are classics. Hope you enjoy them if you read them ☺️

sgfatlan.bsky.social•109 days ago

So glad you are here
Love history!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! 🙂

theniceman.bsky.social•110 days ago

Please can you tell me that I am not the only person who wondered that when James VI's queen Anna sat through 3 hour sermons and a procession and a masque and a coronation, when did she go to the loo?

Also welcome to bluesky.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ha ha! No I do always wonder about practical matters like that. Another example is Philippa of Hainault who had to go through the long coronation process with heavy gowns whilst about 5 months pregnant - oof.

perpelxity.bsky.social•108 days ago

Welcome.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•108 days ago

Thanks 🙂

candylou2.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hello and welcome! You write about some of my favorite subjects, medieval history and women’s issues. I can’t wait to see more.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Sounds perfect! I hope you enjoy

coste1costello.bsky.social•109 days ago

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quinn-jasper.bsky.social•108 days ago

Welcome! ☺️

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•108 days ago

Thank you!

pasteresq.bsky.social•109 days ago

I took 2 semesters of medieval European history in college, I found it fascinating. Welcome to blue sky!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ooh lovely, what did you study? Thank you!

pasteresq.bsky.social•109 days ago

It was a lot of social and cultural material, how the aristocratic class developed and evolved, and how the world order emerged from the dark ages into the Renaissance. Professor was named Leon Tipton, very old school. Under examined period in most history programs

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Oohh that's all right up my street!

datadivanh.bsky.social•109 days ago

So glad you're here!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

flymanjones.bsky.social•109 days ago

You had me at historian. Welcome.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

robertaao.bsky.social•109 days ago

I've read some books about your subject by other authors. Now I will add you to that list.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy 🙂

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

And of course I managed to typo my first post 🤦‍♀️ at least you know I'm human?

Thank you everyone for your overwhelmingly kind welcome!

libertywill.bsky.social•109 days ago

Haha!

Welcome Gemma!

Also, sometimes I feel like if I'm typing, I must be mistyping.

Here's to being human!

; )

Cheers!

sarastar80.bsky.social•109 days ago

I ❤️ History AND her storytellers! 🫶💜🤟

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

trobador.bsky.social•109 days ago

Greetings from a fellow medievalist.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks for the welcome!

arthurp.bsky.social•109 days ago

Sweet

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gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

This is amazing! Where is it?

arthurp.bsky.social•109 days ago

It is isnt. Its the awesome Winchester Cathedral.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Oh fantastic - I still have never been so will need to bump it back up my list

arthurp.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ah y really should. We visited it on our south east / central england roadtrip.

arthurp.bsky.social•109 days ago

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betholyn.bsky.social•110 days ago

Nice to see you over here. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks so much!

aliceandthepig.bsky.social•109 days ago

Greetings!! 🤗🤗
Followed!! Follow Back? 🧐

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

darrenwheeler.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome.
Sounds like your area overlaps with @goingmedieval.bsky.social

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Yes - and Eleanor very kindly gave a glowing endorsement of my second book, The Queen and the Mistress ☺️

biltongbaggins.bsky.social•109 days ago

Great introduction, welcome!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks 🙂

lymon.bsky.social•109 days ago

Oh excellent! Welcome!

One of my favourite genres, looking forward to reading your books! Use #BookSky or 📚 so your posts appear in the Books feed. 🥰

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you for the tips!! So do emojis work the same as hashtags?

Let me know if you read any of them ☺️

lymon.bsky.social•109 days ago

Most welcome! Yes, the book emoji 📚 works the same as #BookSky.

Will do!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

That's great to know, thank you ☺️

lymon.bsky.social•109 days ago

Yes. I take home books based on their cover! 😍😆

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gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ooohh let me know what you think!

blueinruralaz.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome!!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you 🙂

horseyone.bsky.social•109 days ago

Very cool.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

portleesh.bsky.social•109 days ago

This sounds interesting!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you 🙂

jendufault.bsky.social•109 days ago

That's fantastic! Especially Royal witches - looks fascinating. Reading The North Women (Heather Pringle) right now, about women in the Viking world. Really good so far.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!! Let me know if you check them out. And that sounds great - I've been wanting to read more Viking history so I'll have to check it out

tootallteresa.bsky.social•109 days ago

My favorite will have to check out her work 😎😉

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hope you enjoy!

dublin6.bsky.social•110 days ago

i’ll grab that seat upfront.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

dublin6.bsky.social•109 days ago

love me my ERC history

radiostatik.bsky.social•109 days ago

Following as I’m interested to see what history you share. Medieval history was a focus of my university studies.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks very much!

amymcelroy.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome Gemma!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks Amy, glad to see you here!

bluekansas.bsky.social•109 days ago

I'll be reading these! They look fascinating!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy ☺️

scissorchef.bsky.social•109 days ago

I used to teach history of clothing and love to know more about the larger context n which the clothing existed, so am excited to follow you here.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ooh amazing! Fashion history is so interesting

mkay.wtf•109 days ago

Hello and welcome aboard!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

liberaldemocratie.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome to Bluesky! And what an interesting subject. I was introduced to it last year, by reading 'Hommes et femmes du Moyen Âge' by Didier Lett. 'Women in the Middle Ages' sounds like a great follow up title...

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! I'll have to take a look at it. Women in the Middle Ages is definitely a great start for the period - plenty of beautiful pictures and lots of general information, from which you can find new topics to delve in more depth 🙂

saronatlast.bsky.social•109 days ago

Welcome to Blue Sky!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

thereallara001.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hello! I'm glad you're here

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

theblackveggie.bsky.social•109 days ago

I did my thesis on medieval art. I will definitely check these out.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ooh - what was the topic/title?

theblackveggie.bsky.social•109 days ago

I’ll have to find it, I’ve had medical school in between and things bleed together. It was for a program at my university that required a thesis, but it wasn’t a grad program. The focus was specifically on Germanic Medieval Art. My education is all over the place, lol.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Nice to be able to do lots of different things though!

garyandover.bsky.social•109 days ago

Greetings

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thanks for the welcome!

krisdel.bsky.social•109 days ago

Fascinating! Subjects I’ve been enthralled with my whole, longish life though I am definitely no scholar. Happy to follow you, Gemma. Welcome.

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you so much 🙂

aldenobrien.bsky.social•109 days ago

Following! Considered being a medievalist but wanted to do fashion history and there’s not much extant medieval clothing so 🤷🏼‍♀️ medieval is “just” a pleasurable side interest

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Oh boo - but plenty of fun written records regarding fashion from the era at least! One of my favourite side facts from The Queen and the Mistress is that Queen Philippa had a dress made with pictures of squirrels on it, and that is the first recorded written use of the English word "squirrel"

aldenobrien.bsky.social•109 days ago

Love that! Yes I considered (as art history major) doing thesis on mss depictions…but the long 18c/Victorians have served me well!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Ooh well they did dress rather fabulously then so that is very fair

aldenobrien.bsky.social•108 days ago

Yes! But not so many hanging sleeves, hennins, houppelandes or liripipes, which is a darn shame 😉

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strollingpigeon.bsky.social•110 days ago

Welcome! Looking forward to learning new things :)

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you!

souzee-q.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hi

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Hi there!

chrisjolim.bsky.social•110 days ago

Very excited to read your new account!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•110 days ago

Thank you so much!! I'm really looking forward to it - the community here seems much more buzzing

jcdemund.bsky.social•110 days ago

Welcome! I will follow you, since I have a feeling women’s experiences in your time period are going to become increasingly relevant in our next few years…

jo-z.bsky.social•109 days ago

Exactly what I was going to reply!

jcdemund.bsky.social•109 days ago

Great minds!!

gemmahauthor.bsky.social•109 days ago

Thank you! There's certainly always many parallels to be drawn from history