Tudorfp

@tudorfp

Gustav, Isobel & Imogen Holst and Vally Lasker. Mrs. Gustav Holst (2022). Church history and history of ideas, mostly Tudors and Huguenots. Next book Confidence: History of an idea from the 14th century to the present.

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Tudorfp@tudorfp· 1d

Spotted in Dulwich just now.

A piece of white paper with the reflection of the solar eclipse c. 7.10 pm, held by a hand with leaves and a wall in the background. I

Tudorfp@tudorfp· 20d

Today is the feast day of St James the Apostle. So many depictions of him from our different #Caminos and sections of the Jacobsweg. This is from Pontevedra, location of some of the most elaborate statuary, and a good example of how he acquired more symbols, including a book or book bag, over time.

Polychrome statue of St James, with a red cloak, pilgrim staff, gilt St James shell on his hat, gourd water bottle and holding a book with indications of writing.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· 20d

Archbishop Tenison corresponded with mathematicians including John Wallis, and enjoyed a trusting work relationship with maths teacher Ambrose Warren. His 2 copies of this lovely illustrated work on Euclid, with popouts, is bound with an unrelated journal by Warren. @lampallib.bsky.social MS 711.

A 17th century mathematics textbook book open at pages with popouts on the left side and diagrams on the right.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· 22d

It’s the feast of St Mary Magdalene today, dropped from the Anglican prayer book in 1552. Her legend became confused in the Middle Ages, but this 17th painting by Jan Lievens feels realistic. Photographed at the Douai Chartreuse earlier this year.

Portrait of a mournful elderly woman, her hands clasped, contemplating a skull against a sombre background.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· 23d

For anyone needing help in explaining what writing their non-fiction book involves, Charles Hoole’s 1659 bilingual edition of Comenius’ Orbis Pictus can help. A student ‘sitteth alone, addicted to his studies, whilst he readeth Books … and picketh all the best things out of them into his own manual’

Excerpt from 1659 schoolbook illustrating features of a study, showing a scholar at their desk surrounded by books and other equipment whilst a man fails to attract their attention from the window outside.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· 24d

I’m finishing drafting a report today, using, as so often, a Sans serif font, used here in 1748 at the Nymph’s pool at @nationaltrust.org.uk Stourhead, photographed yesterday. Its stunning gardens, and surely the most beautiful library in England, are guaranteed to lift the spirits.

An eighteenth century grotto with a statue of a reclining nymph and sunlight reflected in a pool of water. A stone inscription is in sans serif.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· 27d

@drjohnsonshouse.bsky.social has the best ribbon for wrapping books as gifts, as well as being a souvenir of one of London’s many beautifully curated house museums. “Great works are performed not by strength but perseverance” is an inspiring quote from the compiler of the great dictionary.

A book wrapped in blue happy birthday wrapping paper, tied with blue ribbon with Samuel Johnson’s signature and the words “great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.”

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Jun 19

Perhaps the 1st recorded use of “the saying of being kick’d upstairs” in @lampallib.bsky.social Fulham Papers vol II f. 79. Recently promoted as Governor of Maryland, Francis Nicholson laments his situation to his friend Archbishop Tenison in February 1697, several years before the 1st OED reference

Extract from late 17th century letter, written in black ink on discoloured paper.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Jun 15

For anyone contemplating a history research degree, or finishing one and pondering what to do next, Becoming a Historian by Penelope Corfield and @timhitchcock.bsky.social, published by @ihr.bsky.social in 2022, is an invaluable guide. I wish I’d kept Hugh Trevor-Roper’s short guide for comparison.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Jun 6

A 1st visit yesterday to the Bibliotheca Capitolare in Verona. Despite WWII bombing (the bookshelves are postwar replacements, simplified for cost reasons), most of its treasures have survived, some predating Petrarch and Dante’s visits. Yet another library joy to add to my long list of favourites.

Corner of a library showing dark wooden shelves filled with mostly vellum-bound books, with a red niche with a small 15th century statue. A happy visitor stands in the background.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· May 30

One several joys about Pitlochry train station (direct trains between the Scottish Highlands and London take only six and a half hours) is this heron water fountain @everyheron.bsky.social. The wonderfully curated charity bookshop in the station even had a book on the history of Scottish psalmody.

Ornate iron water fountain with a floral base, blue bowl and decorative heron top, on a station platform with fence and posters in the background.

Explanatory poster about the heron drinking fountain at Pitlochry station.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· May 20

Stellar keynote address by Michele Gabrielson in character as Mary Otis Warren in 1776 rounding off the 1st day of an excellent conference organised by @drmeganking.bsky.social @benfranklinhouse.bsky.social. A salutary reminder that democracy and government are shared responsibilities.

Michele Gabrielson in late eighteenth century costume with a dark blue dress with white trimmings and cap as Mary Otis Warren in 1776. Audience members and 18th century furniture in background.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· May 20

Excellent panels at today’s Remember the ladies conference @benfranklinhouse.bsky.social. A privilege to spend the day in the parlour he used for so many years in London. Photos taken on the stairs where he took his exercise.

Group of speakers posing on stairs with some of the merchandise on sale in the shop at Franklin’s house.

Four conference speakers posing on the stairs at Franklin’s House in London.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· May 9

For an introduction I recommend Corinne Poirieux’s guide, which has further reading. The wonderful Soierie Vivante and Maison des Canuts demonstrate the machines in action as well as the way of life (living conditions, pride in machine ownership etc). Our visits to both in March were very moving.

Book cover of book on the silk trade in Lyon and surrounding areas, with illustrations of fabric etc.

Page of book recommendations with photos of their front covers.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Apr 25

Inspiring Festival of Social History hosted by @socialhistsoc.bsky.social & @ihr.bsky.social at Senate House yesterday. 8 super panel talks ranged from early modern wills by @lsangha.bsky.social to 20thc. China by @isabellajackson.bsky.social. Naomi Tadmor’s keynote used parliamentary texts superbly

Speaker Naomi Tadmor and audience with a large screen showing contemporary amendments to the 1685 Settlement Act

Brown wood with glass panelled door to room 101 in Senate House

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Mar 22

Good to be @somervillecollege.bsky.social today to hear fitting tributes to Barbara Harvey (1928-2025). Her major work on the history of @westminsterabbey.bsky.social will long be remembered. A photo of her in Somerville Library is a reminder of a great historian, a great teacher and a great friend.

A corner of Somerville College Library with mediaeval history books, tables and chairs and a framed photograph of Barbara Harvey.!

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Mar 20

A suitably beautiful Lambeth Palace last night for Lenten Music sung by the superbly blended St Martin’s Voices. My own favourite of many lovely pieces was Eleanor Daley’s setting of Seal upon thy heart. Hopefully the first of many concerts in the Great Hall following the accessibility renovations.

Lambeth Palace illuminated against a blue cloudless night sky, with a tree in blossom in the foreground.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Feb 16

Happy St Philippa’s day to all who celebrate! She died otd 1236. This later fresco shows her with a large book, perhaps representing her Bible reading or her records of her friend Santa Chiara, also influenced by St Francis. A happy coincidence that reformer Philip Melanchthon was born otd 1497.

Detail from a fresco of Philippa Mareri as a Poor Clare, dressed in a brown cape with black veil and white wimple against a greenish blue background. Her head is framed with a gold halo.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Feb 14

It is a mystery why or when composer and conductor Imogen Holst wrote 14 quotations in this vellum-covered book, but still delightful. From the lovely Church House collection accessioned at Britten Pears Archives in 2025. HOL/8/15/2/52

Vellum cover of small hand-made book with black and white patterned ribbon fastenings.

Inside cover of handmade book with Imogen Holst’s colourful bookmark showing a man and woman dancing in Thaxted, with the church spire in the background.

Quotation in Imogen Holst’s writing “So are you to my thoughts as food to life, Or as sweet-season’d showers are to the ground. Shakespeare. [Sonnets]”

Three tickets for the Aldeburgh Festival tucked inside handmade book, including one for 1960 inscribed “Miss I. Holst”

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Feb 14

Archives are a treasure trove of expressions of love. Here is William Beauvoir, chaplain to the British Ambassador in Paris, writing to his wife in England in 1716. “Hand-drawn heart, but without pretence, for absence doesn’t lessen the ardour of love at all”. @lampallib.bsky.social MS 1556 f.109.

Extract from early 18th century manuscript letter written in French with a handdrawn heart in place of a seal.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Feb 6

Even in this rainy weather the mimosa tree in Archbishop’s Park, next to the wonderful @lampallib.bsky.social, is spectacular. The photo can’t capture its scent, but it must surely be the largest mimosa in London.

Mimosa tree in blossom against a blue and pale pink sky at dusk, 5 February c. 5 pm.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Jan 17

Born #otd in Boston, Massachusetts, 320 years ago, Benjamin Franklin, polymath, printer, scientist, diplomat, writer & US Founding Father. For those in central London wanting to celebrate, a visit to @benfranklinhouse.bsky.social, where he lived, wrote and experimented for years, is inspirational.

The room in London where Benjamin Franklin lived, walls painted green, a bust of Franklin in the marble fireplace, small table and single writing chair and two large full length windows which he used to take his early morning “air baths”.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Jan 4

2nd exhibition visit of 2026 to « Henry VIII’s Lost Dagger » @strawberryhill.bsky.social. Horace Walpoles attempt to outTudor the Tudors didn’t quite work (his now-lost bejewelled dagger was Ottoman) but the daggers on display are spectacular, as is his house. Ends 15 Feb. Train station nearby.

Partial view of Strawberry Hill House, white mock Gothic with turret and crenellations, against a bright blue sky with trees in the foreground.

Front view of two Turkish jewel encrusted daggers with sheaves, with stained glass windows in the background.

Back view of two Turkish ornate daggers and sheaves, both 16th century, with stained glass window reflections and view through the open door to the room beyond.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Jan 2

My 1st exhibition visit of 2026 was to A Grand Chorus @foundlingmuseum.bsky.social. Recommend for (1) choir singers (2.8m of us in UK, apparently), (2) Handel’s Messiah lovers, (3) outstanding art lovers and (4) historians of illegitimacy in 18th century England. 1-4 all apply to me, I’ll revisit.

The staircase at London’s Foundling Museum with portraits of people connected with the Coram Foundation, some of whom have musical connections.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Dec 31

Hopeful thrush (photographed near King’s College Hospital in South London in April 2020, at a time when its hope was much needed).

A song thrush perched on a branch of a tree with young spring leaves, against a bright blue sky.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Dec 24

The University of London’s @senatehouselib.bsky.social is now closed for the Christmas break, so this photo was taken on Monday. Researching in its outstanding American studies section over the past three months has been sheer joy.

Photo of the entrance hall to Senate House London, with white marbled walls and floor and green fir Christmas tree and boughs decorated with white lights. There are no people in the photo.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Dec 18

Finally, when I last visited the Ferdinandeum in January 2024 this statue was being restored. The attribution to Pacher himself is uncertain but I think it is by him.

Carved statue of male saint against a grey background.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Dec 18

And across the border in Austria Innsbruck’s Ferdinandeum museum has this statue.

Statue of a male saint against a crimson backdrop.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Dec 18

A few miles by train in the opposite direction is San Candido/Innichen, home to several outstandingly beautiful works of art, and these frescoes by Michael Pacher. The South Tirol has so many well-preserved frescoes, both sacred and secular.

Frescoes above a church door in San Candido/Innichen.

Tudorfp@tudorfp· Dec 18

Sharing some of my own Michael Pacher favourites over the years when exploring the wonderful art of the Sud Tirol. Bruneck/Brunico, where he was born, has one small but lovely fragment, so this statue is from nearby San Lorenzen, 3 km away.