Dr Rory M. Butcher
@rmbhistory
Historian | Visiting Research Fellow @LeedsUniHistory | National identity, masculinity, & contractual soldiering in the #C18th | Army Records Society Fellowship | Aspiring hockey goaltender | Historical reenactor | Opinions my own | he/him
Sadly my recent role in the Realities of War team at the Royal Armouries is ending, but I've been delighted to still get to be part of a few days working with Armed Forces veterans' charities. It's been wonderful to develop new ways to engage with a whole new audience! 📷 Royal Armouries
A wonderful day to celebrate graduating from my #phdlife, with incredible incredible thanks to my supervisor @kevinlinch.bsky.social and my internal examiner Stephen Alford!
#academicnetworking is often better in 33 degree heat in a field in France, feat. Dr Robbie MacNiven!
A bittersweet moment to have finished teaching my last classes of the semester (and if things don't go well, possibly my academic career)... Oh well, just got marking to look forward to!
While I was back in Edinburgh this week, likely for the last time while researching the fencibles, I thought I'd make a point of visiting this statue of Henry Dundas one final time. And why? Well, because Henry Dundas was fundamentally the reason the fencibles existed at all! /1
I offer no further comment at this time Brb just adding Dr to my name on here #vivadone #itsdoctoractually
Although a little late, it was an absolute pleasure to have been able to present at @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social last Friday about some elements of my thesis. My family was even able to attend; after all, a good audience (in-person and online) makes this all worthwhile! Photo by Simon Hendley.
This week: - go to Berlin ✅️ - do some touristing ✅️ - present on some of my research in an 18thC palace ✅️ - meet some amazing people at @sochistorywar.bsky.social ✅️ - coin "frasers's triangle" ✅️👀 - get coolest souvenir ✅️ Gosh I'm tired
In fun news - thesis submitted! Now just gotta do this whole viva thing...how hard can it be? #phdsubmitted #phdlife
So I went to get one book to plug a hole in a footnote...and ended up also getting my own copies of 4 core texts (admittedly at very good prices) This is all @kevinlinch.bsky.social's fault and I also shouldn't be allowed to shop books alone 🤣
The dust settles on the first day of seminars of the semester. Mostly good attendance, mostly good engagement so far...what could possibly go wrong? #academia
Life stuff (our car imploding) rather scuppered a phd-focused end to the week, but I absolutely loved going to @camhistory.bsky.social to present on this aspect of my research. Massive thanks to @1812andallthat.bsky.social at for inviting/hosting me, and to Col John Baillie for this title quote
I've just finished the argument summary for chapter 5 and, in a terrifying moment, realised that *this* is the complete sum of the last 43~ months of my life #phdlife
And now to @kevinlinch.bsky.social about the Georgian Army Officers project! Genuinely such a worthwhile piece of work, and a practical tool that I've already been able to make good use of #WellingtonCongress2025
Thoroughly enjoyed @1812andallthat.bsky.social speaking about Shadrack Byfield - lots of food for thought! #WellingtonCongress2025
Very excitedto hear as @beatricedegraaf.bsky.social kicks off the #WellingtonCongress2025
Bidding adieu to @harchivestrust.bsky.social as I head towards Southampton. A brief but helpful visit, and inspires another reminder from me to go and use these resources! Local archives are just amazing
Hmmm delicious research @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy #phdlife
@graemecallister.bsky.social introducing @zwhitehistory.bsky.social on the EIC army, featuring an incredibly raised eyebrow
#HappyNewYear one and all! Hopefully my last of my #phdlife 🤞 What could possibly go wrong?
People in 2024: *selfies with singers and actors* Me in 2024: *selfies with Diderot's Encyclopédie and the Cassini Map of France* Very impressed by the @sciencemuseumldn.bsky.social's Versailles #scienceandsplendour exhibition! #notlikeothertourists
Well that's some fun news! My first journal article on #18thC history is now here: doi.org/10.1177/0968... I argue that the fencible relationship with authority was fundamentally shaped by their limited service, in how justice was administered *and* how the men engaged with their superiors. /1
Want to come and hear about the 1939 Polish Military Mission from @silenceinpolish.bsky.social? Or about desertion in the army of King James II from @markshearwood.bsky.social? Or maternity in the #21stC British army from @sjolley.bsky.social? Tickets still available, for both in-person and online
Here I am, back to memeing my #phdlife. Why do I do this to myself?
Absolutely amazing to be back in Canterbury to speak to the @universityofkent.bsky.social History Society about UK home defence, national identity, & military service in the #FrenchRevWars! And now back to the usual service of #phdlife: writing my thesis, and procrastinating from writing my thesis
And just before I say auf wiedersen to Bavaria (since I'm in the airport and it'd be rude not to) I thought I'd end my coverage of #playingwar24 with yours truly! Genuinely such an incredible experience: met some amazing scholars, drank some amazing beer, and failed amazingly at speaking german