Reider Payne

Georgian historian, heritage consultant and cat fanatic. Author of 'War and Diplomacy in the Napoleonic Era'

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Stop press! The paperback of my book 'War and Diplomacy in the Napoleonic Era' (a glorious account of the genius Sir Charles Stewart) will be published by @BloomsburyHist in February 2021. Pre-order now!! https://t.co/uOB45cMryS

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Fought #otd 22 May 1455: first Battle of St Albans. A victory for the House of York, the Lancastrian leader, the Duke of Somerset, was killed outside The Castle Inn, having vainly sought refuge there (but not a pint or two). #York #Lancaster

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

To paraphrase Eurovision: 'We love you, Europe. Welcome to Vienna.' Happy birthday to the greatest ambassador to Vienna, born #otd 18 May 1778.

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Happy 246th birthday to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, born #otd 18 May 1778. A hot headed soldier, brilliant diplomat, and an atrocious politician...with impeccable dress sense!! (Image: National Trust) #GoldenPeacock

[Kathleen Walker-Meikle @Medieval_Badger]

Listen to me in this clip tell Chris Packham about Rossetti's wombats, Byron's bears & Archbishop Laud's cats!

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461: Battle of Towton....a victory for the House of York and Edward IV (pictured) and a bloodbath for the House of Lancaster (image: NPG) #Towton

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Happy Friday and Happy Charles I, King and Martyr day....!!

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Happy George IV day everyone!!

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd 29 January 1820: succession of King George IV. One of the grestest royal connoisseurs, he also had well-publicised marital issues...Horrible Histories has him sing: 'Art and fashion I so rated. But wise? That's more complicated.' We love Prinny!! (Image: NPG) #GoPrinny

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd 19 January 1826: 200th anniversary of the last Spanish outpost in Chile, Fuerte San Antonio, on the Chiloé Archipelago, formally surrendering, ending the Chilean War of Independence (1810-26). #Chile

[Kathleen Walker-Meikle @Medieval_Badger]

#OTD Feast of Archbishop Thomas Becket. You can always spot Reginald FitzUrse (Son of a Bear) among the murderers thanks to the bear on his shield in various manuscripts (BL Harley MS 5102, f. 32r) #Heraldry

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

The perfect Christmas presents for a partisan of the House of Bourbon...thanks @Medieval_Badger!!!!

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd 26 December 1825 (14 December OS), sees the Decembrist uprising in St Petersburg, calling for political reforms, set amidst confusion around the succession of Nicholas I, as Emperor of Russia (image: NPG).

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Happy Christmas to all my followers!! See you in 2026....!!

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

I will be having a pint (or two) in the Town of Ramsgate tonight looking out for any suspicious individuals who look like Lord Jeffreys!! #Stuarts

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd 12 December 1688: the Lord Chancellor, Lord Jeffreys, is captured at Wapping, where the current Grade II listed Town of Ramsgate stands. Disguised as a sailor, his attempt to follow James II's example and flee abroad failed when he was recognised, and taken to the Tower.

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd 2 December 1804: Napoleon crowns himself Emperor of the French, at Notre-Dame de Paris. However, Parisian cries of Vive l'Empereur would be replaced by Vive le Roi less than 10 years later...!! (Image: @MuseeArmee)

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

#otd 1 December 1825: death of Alexander I, Emperor of Russia. Wellington wrote that his qualities 'rendered him highly estimable &much to be lamented.' (image: NPG)

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

A complete set....London c.1700 to c.1760!! @Ens_La_Reveuse

[Capel Lofft @CapelLofft]

This is sounder than evensong with Queen Anne followed by a massive night on the Champers 'n' Burgundy with Viscount Bolingbroke and the other mad ladz of the Brothers Club (with Swift tutting in a corner).

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Despite my Whig nom de guerre, I admit to being a bit of an Augustan High Tory!! Looking forward (as the owner of a novelty Bolingbroke T-shirt) to reading Rage of Party by @CapelLofft....!!! #Whigs #Tories

[Kathleen Walker-Meikle @Medieval_Badger]

Here's me interviewed for @HistoryHit After Dark podcast for Day in the Life of A Plague Rat. Watch it here. There's rat charms and ratbait recipes galore! Enjoy! https://t.co/f7CZon0yef

[Reider Payne @WhigDuke]

Did I hear mention of Lord Mohun today? One of my favourite Whigs peers in wigs....(Image: NPG) #Whigs