Mary Breakes (later Heard) is mentioned 13 times across all 4 of Thornton's Books. We 1st encounter her in BkRem as the source of rumours about Thornton and Thomas Comber but it is clear in the later Books that Thornton had become convinced by her later denials (sent in letters).

There are 14 refs to Thomas Wentworth across 3 of Thornton's Books. He was a childhood friend of her father, Christopher Wandesford, with both being educated by the Dean of Ripon. When he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1633, the Wandesfords also relocated to Dublin.

12 May 1669 #OTD Thornton's former maid Mary Breakes wrote a letter blaming the rumours about Thornton on Anne Danby: 'Mary utterly denies all and that she never saw or heard or knew any evil by me in all her life, and cries out against Mrs Danby to be so treacherous' (Bk 3).

Vermeer's A Young Woman standing at a Virginal has arrived in Edinburgh for the summer! Alice Thornton inherited her mother's virginal in 1659 and in turn left it to her oldest daughter, Nally, as her mother had stipulated, descending in the female line as a family heirloom.

Thornton doesn't really sell this walk! But it is a glorious place to walk in North #Yorkshire so have a look at this route: walkingenglishman.com/northyorkshire… #NationalWalkingMonth

Here’s a link to book tickets for our 17th century picnic Starbank Park with Alice Thornton's Books. Botanist walks and author Kate Foster. Crafts and a book stall from Argonaut Books - @argonautbooks.bsky.social! Saturday 8th June 12-17:00 so much to see and do. Please book through Eventbrite and come along!

Trace Thornton's path to Whitestone Cliff for #NationalWalkingMonth . She called it 'that great place of the rocks and cliffs'. Pregnant, she walked there 'in pain and did sweat exceedingly' (Bk 2). She blamed a Mr Bradley, who told her husband the walk did his own wife no harm.

We are very much looking forward to hosting Alice Thornton's Books

Starbank Park something to look forward to.

We have another #Edinburgh event planned for all those with an interest in 17thC women, real or fictional. Booking now open for this free event. #histfic HCAatEdinburgh

#IDM2024

#InternationalDayOfTheMidwife After Thornton had just given birth to her 3rd child in 1655, her oldest child took very ill and the midwife helped save her: 'her maid, Jane Flower ... immediately took her up and, with Jane Rimer, the midwife, made help to recover her life' (Bk1).

Are you researching the history of where you live this #localhistorymonth ? Thornton (1626-1707) mentions over 120 places (many in #Yorkshire ) across her 4 books. Is yours on the list? Society for One-Place Studies 1⃣🏘️🔎 thornton.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/entities/

Not all links live yet but gives you a good sense of places mentioned across all four books.

The answer is: Feareing Gods Word (George Wandisford).

Are you researching the history of where you live this #localhistorymonth ? Thornton (1626-1707) mentions over 120 places (many in #Yorkshire ) across her 4 books. Is yours on the list? Society for One-Place Studies 1⃣🏘️🔎 thornton.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/entities/

Anagram clue: the acrostic spells George's surname as Wandisford. #WordsmithDay

The acrostic is towards the end of the book, after her index. We will be including an image in the digital edition. GW's name is spelt there as George Wandisford (anagram hint), possibly because the acrostic was the work of Christopher Wyvill who also gave his funeral eulogy.