Ah I’m glad that I’ve been able to share some historical stories that you’ve enjoyed!
As a teacher myself, I think we focus too much on the same things over and over again. I really have zero interest in the world wars, for example, but it’s a major part of every school syllabus. It’s important to learn about but it’s so over done. I did an A-Level course on the crusades and realised that there’s more to history than the twentieth century, and my love of medieval history was born!
I’m going to be doing a miniseries on Anglo-Saxon women soon: I hope it continues to be more your thing 🥰
I also just finished a masters in history and am hoping to do a DPhil next year - I try to make sure that what I share is backed up by good research evidence 🥰
Ah I’m so glad that you’re enjoying it! I really recommend it. I’m playing with the idea of doing a book club on here for my second year on Substack, and if this book wasn’t so long it would definitely be on my list to read (again!) with others 🥰
This is immense!! Oh my gosh what a gift to know that this was part of history and it gives me hope in some way… thank you for bringing it all together to share. So many stories are incredibly disempowering about women in history, it is so wonderful to know that there are times and glimmers of better times. Xx
Ah I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it! There certainly are glimmers of brighter times in the past. The seventh century was such a special and unique time for women: I’m going to be doing a DPhil looking more at this starting in September. I can’t wait to find out more of their stories!
It’s such a shame isn’t it? I used to be a teacher and I think that we often just teach the same material over and over again. It can really turn some people off the subject and that makes me so sad because there were some really interesting lives. I hope to bring some of that out here 🥰
I’m sure there is an element of having to stick to a structure… but history at school for me was so dull and uninspiring but actually I think i would love it if I got to choose the topics and learn about the amazing women from past years. Xx
You’re so welcome! I love that you love this time period; do you get it to teach it at all? I never got to teach the Anglo-Saxons 🙈 always the Egyptians, Stone Age…!
Our history curriculum is actually brilliant. We do Vikings in Year 4 and touch on Saxons but the focus is on Vikings, so not quite the same topics but a lot gets covered for the age of the students.
what a lovely read for IWD! I really enjoyed reading about the abbess and others I haven't heard of before! to answer the prompt, I really admire Abigail from 1 Samuel Ch 25 vs 18, 28, 32-35. She was the wife of Nabal. Her strength was in her humbleness and hospitality. It's a really unique story about keeping the peace between neighbors and taking the high road 🌺
I loved this Holly, so fascinating to learn about these women and this culturally rich time in history where women were held in high esteem, as they should be. I agree it is important we don’t lose sight of their names, especially as so many have of course been lost already. I love the sound of a series about these women. Not British but I do remember learning about the Frankish medieval woman Dhuoda in my degree, I found her interesting as she was from the town my parents’ live in, in France! Also weirdly the car in front of us earlier had the personalised number plate Dhuoda so I felt I must mention! xx
Ah I’m so glad you enjoyed it! When I come back from my little break I’m going to do a miniseries of biographies of Anglo-Saxon women as Friday’s post seems to have been enjoyed by many.
And fun about the Frankish woman you mention! I’m hoping to do some academic research on early Frankish Parisian women starting in October this year - watch this space for updates if it all goes to plan 🙏
I’m so glad you enjoyed this - and thank you for sharing the story of Abigail. There are so many strong women with stories full of beauty in the Bible. I love that the genealogy in Matthew’s gospel includes key women to highlight their role in Jesus’ family history: from an earthly perspective, he wouldn’t have come if it hadn’t been for their lives.
This is the kind of history syllabus I needed at school!
I fucking hated history at school, I realise decades later that I had no care for stories about men fighting!
Thank you for inspiring a rewriting of history in my own mind, perhaps I’ll read this book! X
Ah I’m glad that I’ve been able to share some historical stories that you’ve enjoyed!
As a teacher myself, I think we focus too much on the same things over and over again. I really have zero interest in the world wars, for example, but it’s a major part of every school syllabus. It’s important to learn about but it’s so over done. I did an A-Level course on the crusades and realised that there’s more to history than the twentieth century, and my love of medieval history was born!
I’m going to be doing a miniseries on Anglo-Saxon women soon: I hope it continues to be more your thing 🥰
Awesome! Ok that makes sense that you’re a teacher - such dedication to your work is really felt here.
PS I loved Chaucer in English lit, that was fun!
And yes, Chaucer is fun! He was a really great writer who wasn’t afraid to play a little and include topics others might not write about at the time.
Yes like bums and farting 😂
Very much appealed to my teenager!
I also just finished a masters in history and am hoping to do a DPhil next year - I try to make sure that what I share is backed up by good research evidence 🥰
I’m reading this wonderful book at the moment. Borrowed it from the library- but I need my own copy.
Ah I’m so glad that you’re enjoying it! I really recommend it. I’m playing with the idea of doing a book club on here for my second year on Substack, and if this book wasn’t so long it would definitely be on my list to read (again!) with others 🥰
This is immense!! Oh my gosh what a gift to know that this was part of history and it gives me hope in some way… thank you for bringing it all together to share. So many stories are incredibly disempowering about women in history, it is so wonderful to know that there are times and glimmers of better times. Xx
Ah I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it! There certainly are glimmers of brighter times in the past. The seventh century was such a special and unique time for women: I’m going to be doing a DPhil looking more at this starting in September. I can’t wait to find out more of their stories!
Oh wow that must be fascinating! Why is this not taught in school… it would have certainly landed more for me than a lot of what I was taught!!! Z
It’s such a shame isn’t it? I used to be a teacher and I think that we often just teach the same material over and over again. It can really turn some people off the subject and that makes me so sad because there were some really interesting lives. I hope to bring some of that out here 🥰
I’m sure there is an element of having to stick to a structure… but history at school for me was so dull and uninspiring but actually I think i would love it if I got to choose the topics and learn about the amazing women from past years. Xx
My favourite period in British history just got even more interesting. Thank you for shedding light on this Holly!
You’re so welcome! I love that you love this time period; do you get it to teach it at all? I never got to teach the Anglo-Saxons 🙈 always the Egyptians, Stone Age…!
Our history curriculum is actually brilliant. We do Vikings in Year 4 and touch on Saxons but the focus is on Vikings, so not quite the same topics but a lot gets covered for the age of the students.
what a lovely read for IWD! I really enjoyed reading about the abbess and others I haven't heard of before! to answer the prompt, I really admire Abigail from 1 Samuel Ch 25 vs 18, 28, 32-35. She was the wife of Nabal. Her strength was in her humbleness and hospitality. It's a really unique story about keeping the peace between neighbors and taking the high road 🌺
I loved this Holly, so fascinating to learn about these women and this culturally rich time in history where women were held in high esteem, as they should be. I agree it is important we don’t lose sight of their names, especially as so many have of course been lost already. I love the sound of a series about these women. Not British but I do remember learning about the Frankish medieval woman Dhuoda in my degree, I found her interesting as she was from the town my parents’ live in, in France! Also weirdly the car in front of us earlier had the personalised number plate Dhuoda so I felt I must mention! xx
Ah I’m so glad you enjoyed it! When I come back from my little break I’m going to do a miniseries of biographies of Anglo-Saxon women as Friday’s post seems to have been enjoyed by many.
And fun about the Frankish woman you mention! I’m hoping to do some academic research on early Frankish Parisian women starting in October this year - watch this space for updates if it all goes to plan 🙏
Thank you for the quick history lesson! I love learning about the powerful woman who have come before and helped shape our future.
You’re so welcome! 🥰
I’m so glad you enjoyed this - and thank you for sharing the story of Abigail. There are so many strong women with stories full of beauty in the Bible. I love that the genealogy in Matthew’s gospel includes key women to highlight their role in Jesus’ family history: from an earthly perspective, he wouldn’t have come if it hadn’t been for their lives.