Welcome flair applicants! This is the place to apply for a flair – the colored text you will have seen next to some user's names indicating their specialization. We are always looking for new flaired users, and if you think you have what it takes to join the panel of historians, you're in the right place!
For examples of previous applications, and our current panel of historians, you can find the previous application thread here, and there is a list of active flaired users on our wiki.
A flair in /r/AskHistorians indicates extensive, in-depth knowledge about an area of history and a proven track record of providing great answers in the subreddit. In applying for a flair, you are claiming to have:
Expertise in an area of history, typically from either degree-level academic experience or an equivalent amount of self-study. For more exploration of this, check out this thread.
The ability to cite sources from specialist literature for any claims you make within your area.
The ability to provide high quality answers in the subreddit in accordance with our rules.
For a more in-depth look at how applications are analyzed, consult this helpful guide on our wiki explaining what an answer that demonstrates the above looks like.
To apply for a flair, simply post in this thread. Your post needs to include:
Links to 3-5 comments in /r/AskHistorians that show you meet the above requirements, and of which at least three were posted in the last six months. Answers linked in an application should go 'above and beyond' the base requirements of the rules here, and reflect the depth of your expertise.
The text of your flair and which category it belongs in (see the sidebar). Be as specific as possible as we prefer flair to reflect the exact area of your expertise as near as possible, but be aware there is a limit of 64 characters.
One of the moderators will then either confirm your flair or, if the application doesn't adequately show you meet the requirements, explain what's missing. If you get rejected, don't despair! We're happy to give you advice and pointers on how to improve your portfolio for a future application. Plenty of panelists weren't approved the first time.
If there's a backlog this may take a few days but we will try to get around to everyone as quickly as possible.
"I'm an Expert About Something But Never Have a Chance to Write About It!"
Some topics only come up once in a blue moon, but that doesn't mean you can't still get flair in it! There are a number of avenues to follow, many of which are dealt with in greater detail at the last section of this thread.
Expected Behavior
We invest a large amount of trust in the flaired members of /r/askhistorians, as they represent the subreddit when answering questions, participating in AMAs, and even in their participation across reddit as a whole. As such, we do take into account an applicant's user history reddit-wide when reviewing an application, and will reject applicants whose post history demonstrate bigotry, racism, or sexism. Such behavior is not tolerated in /r/askhistorians, and we do not tolerate it from our panelists in any capacity. We additionally reserve the right to revoke flair based on evidence of such behavior after the application process has been completed. /r/AskHistorians is a safe space for everyone, and those attitudes have no place here.
Quality Contributors
If you see an unflaired user consistently giving excellent answers, they can be nominated for a "Quality Contributor" flair. Just message the mods their username and some example comments which you believe meet the above criteria.
Revoking Flair
Having a flair brings with it a greater expectation to abide by the subreddit's rules and maintain the high standard of discussion we all like to see here. The mods will revoke the flair of anybody who continually breaks the rules, fails to meet the standard for answers in their area of expertise, or violates the above mentioned expectations. Happily, we almost never have to do this.
Additional Resources
Before applying for flair, we encourage you to check out these resources to help you with the application process:
Okay, after a lot of dithering, I'm going to suck it up and apply. My research interests are concentrated in a few obscure pockets, so the best flair title I could come up with was "Russian History in the North Caucasus | Terrorism Studies" in the.... "Other" category? (Is terrorism military history or philosophy? And the Caucasus is kind of neither Europe nor the Middle East..... I'm already making things difficult for you, my apologies!)
What's the history of Islam and terrorism, says since it has become such a large association with each other?: Got really excited about this one and so the answer is in two parts, one and two.
And a few extras, responding to floating features and one short answer:
What is the saddest story from history you have encountered in your research?
[In the James Bond film "Goldeneye," Russian General Ourumov blames his own attack on a satellite in Severnaya on "Siberian separatists." Were there such separatists in post-Communist Russia?] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/67g8ni/in_the_james_bond_film_goldeneye_russian_general/dgruvmd/)
To toss in a bit of self-critique, I'm not thrilled that for the Caucasus-focused discussions I'm leaning almost exclusively on one source. I've studied other texts, but most of my focus tends to be post-Soviet recent/ongoing conflicts and thus sadly violate the 20-year-rule. If that's a problem I understand; just thought I might as well give it a shot. I've got some other books lying around that go farther back into Soviet and Tsarist history and am hoping to digest them as part of my summer reading so that I can be more well-balanced going forward.
Thanks and let me know! Love the sub and hope I can stick around for your obscure Russian regional conflict and terrorism theory needs. :)
The flair I'd apply for is "Ethnomusicology | Western Concert Music" in the "History of Art" category. I've attached more than the 3-5 because those are two fairly distinct fields, although there is some overlap in the answers (the first linked comment touches on both areas).
I would like to apply for a flair "Eastern Siberia and Alaska" or "Circumpolar Peoples" as title. Questions that I can answer don't come up terribly often, but I like to be as comprehensive as possible when the opportunity arises.
Greetings!
I would like to apply for the flair "Norse Literature | Iron Age Celts | Early Middle Ages" for European history.
How likely is it that Ragnarr Loðbrók existed? What evidence do we have for his existence?
Thanks for taking a look at this for me. I do appreciate it!
Edit: added the third post in that was required
I would like to apply for "Historical Theology and Church History".
Reformed vs. Lutheran distinctions in Europe and America (this was cross-posted between r/askhistorians in this thread and r/lcms; I realized I responded on the r/lcms thread).
Edit: added a post
The flair I'm applying for will be "Afghanistan | Cultural and Political History" in the "Middle Eastern History" category. Here are three questions I've answered:
Thanks for doing this!
I am reapplying for flair. I think that "Conquest of the Americas" would be an appropriate flair title. Here are my most recent answers:
Here are some older answers:
*Did the loss of the 13 American colonies damage the prestige of the British Empire?
I would also hope that if I am reflaired I will get to participate in the AskHistorians fantasy football league so that I may defend my title. I was lucky enough to get a TT job and the new stress of teaching and research was offset by the fun of football nonsense. Now that I have a year of professional professoring under my belt, I will be making sure that I keep up with my flair responsibilities.
Hi, I would like to apply for the flair "Late Modern Middle East and the Balkans" I graduated from the University of Copenhagen, with MA in History and Media science. The areas I have studied in the most is the late modern Balkans and the Ottoman Empire/Middle East, and both bachelor and master thesis where in this field. I have only written a few and unorganized replies yet, but hope make some better ones when questions are asked.
I would like to apply for "Eighteenth Century Opera, Mozart, Music Theory" flair.
I am presently pursuing a PhD in musicology at Princeton University, where my focus is on intertextuality and conventionality in Eighteenth Century Opera. To get a sense of my developing research project, have a look at this website I prepared for a recent workshop that I lead.
As a student in musicology, I also am knowledgeable about a number of other musical matters, especially the early history of notation, music for the Mass ordinary up until the Council of Trent, and Bluegrass Music. Before pursuing my PhD, I received an MM in Music Theory from Indiana University (hence the "music theory" portion of my flair).
Some of my recent /r/askhistorians answers include:
Hello!
I've been considering applying for a flair for some time. I'm pursuing a PhD in medieval Scottish history at the University of Guelph. My colleague suggested I submit these answers so I've finally got up the courage to do it!
If accepted, I'd like my flair to be: Medieval & Early Modern Scotland | Gender, Crime & Law
For your consideration, these are some of my best (I think!) answers:
Thanks for your consideration!
Last time I requested flair, u/Georgy_K_Zhukov responded that although the posts make me seem knowledgeable on the topic, I needed to show ability to cite sources.
"Medieval Christianity" is a flair that I'm interested in getting.
Do these further comments since then show an ability to cite sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6f1ka6/what_happened_to_the_popes_power_of/dif56rf/
Link to my previous application (which, despite the practice of deleting the comments in flair application threads, I'm sure that moderators can read despite not being a moderator myself):
Dear Mods,
I would like to be considered for flair as a medieval historian. I am pursing my PhD in New York City, researching a dissertation on noble culture, history writing, and memory in Outremer, the area better known as the Crusader States. As I like to joke at conferences, I am a historian of the crusades who studies very little having to do with actual crusading. I am currently ABD and have taught for several years a variety of courses.
I have answered several questions on a variety of medieval topics in /r/askhistorians in the recent past.
Did vassals of a common lord go to war with one another, like in Game of Thrones? (Yes, often)
Whats the difference between fealty and homage? (Depends where and when you are)
Why wouldn't Byzantium celebrate the 2000th anniversary of Rome's Founding? (They didn't care)
What were the requirements for being considered a kingdom in the Middle Ages? (Love thy Pope)
How might peasants trade with one another? (The Parish Community)
If awarded, I'd like some guidance on what flair would be appropriate. I believe "Medieval Mediterranean | Noble Culture | History Writing & Memory" would accurately reflect my research expertise, but I don't fully know what is appropriate—can I request Medievalist, for example?—given that I tend to stray out of those bounds because of general curiosity.
Thanks for your consideration.
edit: gerunds.
Hello, I study International Relations and History at the University of Queensland. The nature of my dual studies means I've read quite extensively about both modern and ancient history. Regarding both, my primary field of interest lies within China. I did also serve for 4 years, however, and thus have a vested interest in military tactics and practices from WW1 up till the modern era, which I don't limit to the Sino-Japanese conflicts.
Specifically I would say I'm a generalist in Chinese history who most enjoys observing China's progression throughout the ages. So, I thought I'd apply for a flair, perhaps as "General Chinese History"?
I've written several responses across a pretty wide timeframe regarding China. Here are five of my responses:
I would like to apply for blue Europe flair in Late Medieval European Literature and Theory
My answers are as follows https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6b8cc9/im_a_12th_century_european_and_i_have_just/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/62lvm2/theres_a_popular_post_on_rtil_right_now_that/
I suppose the biggest issue is that only 2 of my answers are actually about literature, though I've tried to add in some Intellectual Culture stuff into the others. Questions directly on my field are a very small percentage of overall Medieval questions, but I try to work it in where I can.
Hi,
I would like to apply for a flair in early modern Portuguese history. I had in mind Portuguese Empire 1400-1580
I can answer a lot of questions about Portuguese discoveries, ships, logistics and 15th century and am increasingly growing more confident in answering about Portuguese India and their interactions with the local surroundings throughout 16th century.
Here are my contributions so far. Be gentle, especially with the older answers. Even if it does not show, i learned and progressed a great deal since those early attempts
Top level answers, last 6 months or so (you can check out just the few top ones because i probably put too much of them):
Portuguese control of spice trade
Portuguese discoveries to India and slightly about opposition to them
Reasons for starting discoveries and role of fall of Constantinople ( i tried several approaches):
1 ,
2 ,
3
Portuguese basis for claim on America
Language used in first communicating between Portuguese and Indians
Traveling to India in early 16th century by Carreira
Repair times of Portuguese early ships
Portuguese views on west African rulers
Older:
Portuguese in Hormuz
Crew to a 15th century caravel
Portuguese charter companies/private initiative
Bonus non-Portuguese but related:
Discoveries before Columbus/Cabral/Cabot
1 ,
2 ,
3
Islamic Gunpowder Empires and why did they not go to America
Non-top level answers, in comments for other answers (more to show i like to participate)
Order of Christ - Templars in Portugal
1 ,
2
Hi,
Having lurked on AskHistorians (and what an excellent subreddit it is!) over the past couple of months I've finally worked up the courage to apply for a flair. If accepted I'd like it to be something like "western economic history, Scandinavian economy and diplomacy 1900-1920". It's quite a mouthful, so if you feel it pertinent, you could probably drop the "western economic history" part as superfluous.
Probably a topic for a separate META thread, but I'd like to lobby for the creation of a separate flair category for economic history. Seems to me that both the size of the academic field itself and the number of questions on the subreddit that falls within its purview would justify it. As long as such a flair category does not exist, I guess I'll have to go under "other". =)
Here are some of the questions I've answered within the scope of my proposed flair:
And here are some answers on more peripheral topics, including some of my more recent ones:
Thank you for your time and consideration!
OK, I have time to try again. "Armoured Fighting Vehicles" or "AFV Design" would be probably best for me.
Externally, I would submit anything you google under "The Chieftain's Hatch" or videos under "Inside the Chieftain's Hatch" as evidence of knowledge of the subject matter.
As evidence of capability of responding to AH, I submit: Getting people telling me Nazi military technology was actually inferior to the allies who is right?
Why didn't WWI and WWII planes and tanks use diesel engines?
Was Israel almost defeated in the Yom Kippur war, as claimed in this article (The Economist)?
What was the 'logistical tail' for a tank during the Second World War?
why so much hate towards general MacArthur?
[How did German tank designs stack up against British/French designs in 1939/1940?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6reqce/how_did_german_tank_designs_stack_up_against/dl577mz/?st=j7jd7mkm&sh=85be1ef1(How did German tank designs stack up against British/French designs in 1939/1940?)
What qualified U.S. "Tank Destroyers" of World War II to be counted as such?
Let no-one say that we are not consistent in applying our rules! I'm here to formally apply for the reinstating of my flair 'Slavery in the US and British Caribbean', which formally lapsed due to inactivity on my hiatus.
Supporting evidence from the last six months:
And in general:
If possible, I would like to apply for a North American History flair for Post-WW II Political History and International Relations.
Some answers:
And an answer a little outside my area of expertise:
I would like to change my flair. Medieval Warfare was a pretty hilariously broad topic back when I applied for it, and over the past year or two my actual answers have narrowed substantially in subject. This is probably partly the result of my narrowing research, and also due to some excellent new(er) flairs providing much better content than I ever did! (looking at u/WARitter)
With that in mind I was wondering if I could change the first half of my flair from Medieval Warfare to something like Bows, Crossbows, and Early Gunpowder.
Some (moderately recent) answers showing that I actually write on this stuff:
Discussion of crossbow spanning devices in Static crossbow "loader", why did they use it ?
This one started off about longbows and warfare, but did kind of meander a bit more broadly, Was it the longbow or the importance of knightly honour in the Wars of the middle ages which contributed most to Edward III's victory at Crecy?
Early gunpowder discussed in How did the invention of firearms impact the use of heavy armor in armies?
And lastly, a little post about the misconception of the Welsh origin of the longbow in What's the worst misconception about your area of research? | Floating Feature
Hey, thought I might ask if there were any chance of a light blue flair something along the lines of 'New Zealand history' or 'Māori history' 'to 1872' (as I've ended up answering a couple of New Zealand Wars questions). I'm really not sure if I'm up to the required level, but I thought the fact there were only like two other light blue flairs might tip me over.
Three answers:
Did Polynesian cultures have a concept analogous to 'princess'
How did Pacific Islanders make such large canoes (in fairness to me the question I started answering was a lot less detailed)
Older/shorter/general NZ answers
Māori trench warfare (both this and the canoe one were mentioned by u/Georgy_K_Zhukov in 'interesting and overlooked posts')
Pre-marital sex in traditional Māori culture (I had another one in that question on New Zealand culture discussing STIs in the WWI era that got deleted, but I'm fairly sure it was just because the parent answer was deleted, at least the post directly below mine was deleted before mine was)
Which Western country was the first to give women of colour the vote (If I were doing it again I'd probably talk more about the inequalities between the Māori and Pakeha votes, but it gets the basics)
And recommending Michael King for an overview
Possibly of interest as well: First Māori map of New Zealand on r/Map_Porn
Greetings Mods,
I'd like to apply for a flair for British WWII Military History, in particular the Singapore Strategy or Malayan Campaign if that is a better title. There is a general lack of interest (at least from what I can see from searching the sub) in the Malayan Campaign so its been tough finding questions to answer.
just a bit about myself, I'm an undergrad right now doing a History major. Currently in my 1st year so mostly general modules at the moment which are also designed as an entry point for those without a background in History. Not much academic weight there so in my spare time I do my own studying of military history. I'm from Singapore so its defense and its fall have been of particular interest to me. Admittedly I'm also quite an Anglophile so I also started studying on the Battle of Britain as well. It complicates my flair application a little since I think WWII British Military history would be a bit too broad since I am not an expert in any other theater expect perhaps the Mediterranean and North Sea. However if the mods see fit perhaps a dual flair of Malayan Campaign/Battle of Britain would be okay although oddly specific in my opinon.
Answers on the Malayan Campaign/British Southeast Asian Interwar Military Plans:
Answer on the Battle of Britain:
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Hi there, I'm reapplying for flair in "Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations" I'm currently a university student majoring in history with a focus on the ancient west. Below are my linked comments. Thanks!
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6kz23u/did_romans_march_with_armor_on/djqknms/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/68kwwm/hinduism_and_ancient_egypt/djrbcya/
Edit: formatting
I would like to apply to have my flair removed. Unfortunately, I find very little time to give the quality answers appropriate to this subreddit, and I find it inadequate to be flaired in these circumstances (rarely available to give the lengthy answers that I wish I had the time to write up).
Thank you.
Hello, I would like to apply for flair. I would like the title to be "Central Asian History / Islamic History".
I have a Masters from SOAS for History on Islamization of the Chagatai Khanate and have an active academia.edu profile which I would be more than happy to share a link to with the mods.
My primary focus is on Central Asia but I can answer just about any subject on Medieval India, Iran, the Ottomans, and China with a spattering of other topics on a need to basis if I know the answer.
My answers are here:
Islamic History:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lo3rd/roman_historians_do_you_know_of_any_early_7th_or/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6mrjv5/why_is_the_arab_slave_trade_of_africa_and_other/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6hc7uc/historical_islamic_empires_often_had_taverns_and/
Central Asian History:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lndwp/was_there_any_contact_between_the_late_buddhists/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6levc0/how_successful_was_the_great_wall_of_china_at/
Indian History:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6ntt55/is_judaism_christinanity_and_islam_the_only/
Middle Eastern History:
Modern China:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lr9k0/how_did_national_identity_develop_in_china_why/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6mqea0/how_was_history_of_chinese_dynasties_impacted_by/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6nuwdv/during_the_cultural_revolution_did_chinese/
USSR:
Colonial History:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6n1428/why_was_nepal_never_colonised/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6nbdza/by_what_means_did_colonizers_ensure_that_the/
Book Recommendations:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lvc38/any_good_comprehensive_books_on_or_at_least/
Hello,
It's been suggested that I apply for flare: World War One | British Army | Tactics & Field Fortifications
I've conducted extensive primary research. You can view my MA thesis here. The first half of this thesis has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Military History (pending revisions).
Here are links to some recent questions I've answered:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7f5eyu/in_the_wwi_western_front_did_the_allies_and/
Looking forward to your feedback.
Edit: This link.
Thanks
Bodie
Good evening, I'd like to apply for a Military History flair with the text "English 14th Century Warfare". Below are my answers, and I completely understand if they aren't quite enough.
How did Medieval Kings gauge the military potentials of their neighbours before acting against them?
How did soldiers during the medieval times cope with PTSD when war was so glorified?
If I died in the Hundred Years' War, how would my family be notified, and how would I be buried?
What do we know about how the English Bill was used in combat?
How did medieval knights stay fit for combat?
Thank you, regardless!
Hi mods, I would love to become a flaired contributor in 'Late Roman Imperial Politics | Late Antiquity Military History'
I have a Bachelors degree with majors in Ancient History and History, and am currently waiting to undertake a Master of Arts next year, in Ancient History. These are some of my AskHistorians answers:
What were ancient and medieval mines like? Including follow up questions
The classic Roman army is portrayed as using Testudo formations and fighting with swords, pilum, and shield. What would the Early medieval Byzantines use for their foot soldiers and how did they compare to the classical predecessors? With some discussion with another flaired user
Was Diocletian's Tetrarchy considered a successful or failed political system/model overall? Why? Two large answers with some discussion and comments in this thread.
What happened to the legions stationed through the empire when the western roman empire collapsed ? In a follow up discussion with a moderator I proved a claim he said was false.
Roman Army Concerning campaign movements and army distribution.
Why is Odoacer the one foederati credited with ending the Western Empire?
What is the history of the reason for the Fall of the Roman Empire?
Thanks a lot!
Hello mods! I very much enjoy contributing to this sub and would love to be deemed worthy of some flair. Below are recent contributions I've made. If accepted, I'd like my text to read: Theatre & Performance History | Premodern European Theatre | Medieval Drama
Hello! I'd like to apply for the flair Early Medieval Europe/Anglo-Saxon England.
Here are some of my answers:
What did Anglo-Saxon Briton's international relations look like?
Why was England named after the Angles, and not the much more influential Saxons?
Hello, I am applying for the flair "American Civil War."
Here are my three submitted answers. Let me know when to schedule the oral portion of the exam! :)
I would like to apply for Turkic Tribes and Khanagates History.
I didn't go to a college about history. However, in Turkey (where I live) we start to learn about Turkish people's history from 4th grade in primary school and we were learning them very detailed. I know most of the empires and how the governance works. This is my main subject because our culture was having new things at the time but our culture has the same things for 3000 years. So to sum it up, I might possibly be at top 50 people that know about the Turkic culture that uses Reddit.
I also know Islamic History and Anatolian History because I research about where I live and what I believe in and we also learn these things in history class along with Turkic History.
My answers on Eastern and Nothern Europe after Attila and before Genghis Khan: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6qkijt/who_was_settled_in_andor_ruling_eastern_and/
My answers on Turks and Islam: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6oj5sv/how_did_islam_become_the_turks_religion_did_they/
My answers on what people do with dead on the battlefield: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6qrff0/what_did_people_do_with_the_dead_during_wars/
My answers on Ottoman Economy: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6q2ftq/why_did_late_ottoman_economy_lagged_behind/
Hello,
I would like to get the flair: 20th Century Middle East | Islamic Republic & Persian Gulf
Examples of my responses:
We ask that all top level posts here be Flair Applications to keep things tidy. If you have any questions about Flair, and how to get it, which were not clear in the main post, please respond to this comment with them.
Official request - I don't really do Asian history anymore, and am more confident in my PT history than anything. I'm requesting that my flair be changed to Peoples Temple and Jonestown and that I be moved from Asian History to History of Religion. Thanks so much!
Hi! I just joined Reddit three weeks ago specifically because I liked reading the answers on this sub and I wanted to start answering some myself. I'm especially interested in the Golden Age of Piracy and I do know a lot about it. I haven't been able to answer that many questions yet but I'll link my top four:
How accurate is the stereotypical depiction of a pirate?
Henry Morgan and Alexandre Exquemelin
I realize the first post is very long but a little bit rambly and the two others are maybe a little bit short and the fourth is quite short and I see how it could be longer, but I have fun answering questions regardless and I'll keep improving either way.
Hello, I'd like to apply for an "Asian History" flair. Here are some posts I've commented on:
[Is there any truth that the Great Wall of China was actually used primarily to move troops and supplies and not for keeping invading armies out?] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6wvzkq/is_there_any_truth_that_the_great_wall_of_china/)
Why did Siam not industrialize and develop in the same way that Japan did during the 19th century?
[How did South Korea become such a PowerHouse without resorting to immigration?] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5vqk2v/how_did_south_korea_become_such_a_powerhouse/)
I'd be quite happy to apply for a Military History Flair focused on World War 2 with a specialty on commanders and tactics.
Now I've partaken in here for a while and my answers are often sporadic in both subject and time posted. This has left me with a modest issue in the regard that I can't find some of my older answers on the subreddit.
Something I know is a bit of a dissonance between how and the general area of being a flaired user is citations. The big divide is about how my knowledge in these came about. I read a few large cursory textbooks to gain knowledge in areas I speak to and I compound them with a contextual understanding gained by reading a good deal of tied together Wikipedia articles and other resources focused on that area.
So for example my knowledge of WW2 circumstances, commanders rationale and strategy is due to over 5000 hours logged in a game explicitly about that period and setting in Hearts of Iron 3 and then after reading further into all these issues. I do not always have definitive readings on the matter I speak to but it's more a process of culmination.
Anyhow, I'm already aware of the strong requirements on this sub. But as I've been responding more often then usual I don't mind applying again. Best regards!
Here is some examples: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6mgm7o/why_did_british_general_percival_surrender_to_a/dk1lrwt/
Hello there, I've been posting on here for a few months and lurking for longer, and I would like to submit an application for flair. If accepted I would like for it to say "Conversion & Migration in Northern Europe" though perhaps you might decide that it needs to be more specific than Northern Europe.
I realize that I left out any migration questions, so I'll put in this recent answer i did
Hello, I would like to know if I can have my flair updated to focus more precisely on my area of expertise. Would it be possible for it to read: Revolutionary America | Early American Religion. The focus of my last year of graduate work has been almost exclusively on Colonial and Revolutionary era religion. Please let me know what questions you have.
I would like to apply for a 12th Century Byzantine history/Komnenian Dynasty flair, here are some of my answers.
What was the purpose/Origin of the Varangian Guard?
What was the Eastern Orthodox Church's perspective on the First Crusade?
And an Applicable non-Askhistory answer: https://www.reddit.com/r/totalwar/comments/5ti1sj/m2tw_same_units_different_upgrades/ddmzqnq/?st=j86erqn7&sh=700907c9
I also did a five part Podcast series on the Komnenoi rulers
Hello! Could I please apply for a '18th century British History | Social History | History of Art' flair?
Relevant answers here:
It's probably relevant to mention (as I haven't had the opportunity to answer questions on the topic) that I'm a museum curator looking after British fine and decorative art, and wrote my PhD thesis on 18th century political/social satires. Thank you!
I would like to apply for a 'Medieval and heraldic art | Central Middle Ages' flair. Here are some of my answers from the past few months.
Medieval and heraldic art
Why do most medieval paintings look like a 10 years old painted them?
Was the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople a catalyst for the Italian Renaissance?
Why do so many countries have coats of arms featuring birds holding their wings up and out?
Central Middle Ages
Why was there massive population expansion in western Europe between 1000-1250?
Why were huge armies normal in antiquity and then relatively rare in medieval times (in Europe)?
What was actually going on, religiously, in the south of France prior to the Albeginsian Crusade?
Hello!
I would like to apply for a 'European Martial Arts | Longsword, Greatsword, Polearms' flair. Here are my relevant answers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/76mqqh/did_medieval_sword_fights_really_look_as_expert/dofv7f2/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/76mqqh/did_medieval_sword_fights_really_look_as_expert/dog5j6f/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/76mqqh/did_medieval_sword_fights_really_look_as_expert/dog9ber/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/76mqqh/did_medieval_sword_fights_really_look_as_expert/dog70qq/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/76mqqh/did_medieval_sword_fights_really_look_as_expert/dogif4e/
I have a BA in History as well as a JD, and although I am not an academic, I am an avid practitioner and researcher of historical European martial arts (HEMA). I'd love to contribute to this great subreddit with regard to my narrow expertise.
Thanks!
Could I ask for a tweak in mine? I'm realizing I have a lot more questions than answers for "society" and not enough time to spend reading up on it, and I think "Medieval British Literature & Language" is closer to what I can actually answer best. Broader with one half, narrower with the other!
Hey, I applied for flair a while back, but was understandably rejected because my posts at that time had been pretty short and simple. I've since tried my hand at writing as a historian and I think my answers since then are a lot better, so I'm hoping this time I'll get some flair. :)
So here are some of my answers:
Was Thomas Jefferson anti-capitalist?
Why is Thomas Jefferson considered a great President?
I have a history degree and in my studies I mostly specialized in the Early American Republic and the history of political theory (I have a political science degree as well). So for my flair how about: "Early American Republic | History of Political Thought"?
Let me know if there's any issue! Thank you!
Hello! I'd like to apply for flair - Education and Schooling l North American History.
Examples of my responses:
How did Teachers in a One Room Schoolhouse teach multiple ages of Children?
Many thanks!
I'd like to apply for flair in North American History, specifically Education. Some posts that speak to using academic sources and providing detailed responses to questions (I used a couple of different approaches to citation as it seems as if there isn't one standard approach):
Thank you!
I'd like to apply for flair for "Late Bronze Age | Egypt and Ancient Near East."
Some of my previous posts:
Who were the ancient Anatolians?
What were the years to the Ancient Egyptions?
What did the Ancient Egyptians/copts call the Greeks and other groups around them?
Where would walrus tusks have come from in the ancient Near East?
Good day Moderators,
I would like to apply for flair: “World War Two | Nazi Occupation, Resistance and Collaboration | Late War and Immediate Aftermath in Germany”
[How did citizens of Germany, particularly Berlin survive the spring of 1945?] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7gd1uw/how_did_citizens_of_germany_particularly_berlin/)
At what date in WW2 could French people no longer get to/go to the UK?
How strong was pro-war sentiment in Germany just before the second world war?
[Did the Nazis know that airborne soldiers would come before the soldiers landing on the beaches?] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7f6adi/did_the_nazis_know_that_airborne_soldiers_would/)
Thank you!
Hi Mods, I would like to petition to be flaired for "Norse Culture | Viking Archaeology"
I'm a senior B.S. anthropology student specializing in archaeology, specifically that of Scandinavia from the late 700's to 1200's. Here are my example answers that I've posted so far:
How, and why did the descendants of Norse Vikings 'forget' about the New World (Vinland)?
I'm not sure if this one counts since it's a follow up question to one of my answers but here it is just in case:
I figure the time is right for a re-application on my part. If I'm successful I'd still like the text to read "Roman Imperial Period / Roman Social History".
My posts since my last application:
Why did Romans put entertainment centres outside of town?
How effective was Hadrian's Wall? - featured on the AskHistorians Twitter and mentioned in the Sunday Digest that week.
Greetings, Comrade General!
I was wondering if it might be acceptable to make a relatively minor modification to the flair... right now it is [Medieval China] which is what I initially went with. However, upon further reflection, the term "medieval just feels... clunky since it doesn't "neatly" apply to the Middle Kingdom as it may in Europe. Thus I'd prefer it modified to either just [Imperial China], or [Early and Middle Imperial China].
Please do let me know if that can be accommodated.
Regards, CS
I would like to apply for flair, specifically in early modern history (my specialisms are theatre, and early modern English death culture).
My degrees are mostly literature-based, but I've been gradually working my way over to history. My undergraduate is in English Literature, and I specialised in early modern literature where possible. I then took a masters degree in early modern English literature, and it was focused heavily on archival research skills (e.g. palaeography, incunabula and manuscripts, cultural history). I wrote my masters dissertation on representations of dying on the Elizabethan stage. I'm now about half way through a PhD researching epitaphs in early modern manuscripts, and how they contribute to our understanding of death culture and grieving (via a research assistant job in a history-based research group).
I check the sub every day or so, and I haven't had many questions roll up in my area, but have contributed each time that something I can comment on comes up. I've made three posts so far:
One about breaking of coins in marriage ceremonies: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6p81fn/marriage_records_from_1600s_england_often_refer/dknj8yf/
One about supernatural content on stage: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6i2a0a/why_is_there_so_much_supernatural_content_in/dj58fm1/
One about 'vampire burials': https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6hsw11/vampires_arent_real_but_vampires_burials_where/dj16mdf/
It's been really fun being part of this sub - definitely helps keep the mind active when mid-PhD tedium sets in!
I would like to get flaired! I had not been active in a while but now I've made an effort to post more regularly.
I'll list some comments I feel would warrant a flair (text would be Imperial Germany, Weimar Germany, and WWI) -
One about the Proclamation of the German Empire: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6lf4dz/why_was_the_german_empire_founded_in_versailles/djtpzx8/
One about the Dreyfus Affair: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6nz4za/what_was_antisemitism_like_in_france_before_ww2/dkdx7j8/
One about Peter the Great and St. Petersburg: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6l8qu4/why_did_peter_the_great_make_st_petersburg_the/djrz9bx/
One about the German Colonial Empire: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6l8acc/why_didnt_germany_colonize_the_african_american/djryasm/
One about the Siege of Petersburg and how it was a precursor to WWI: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6l6hoe/how_did_trench_warfare_worked_in_early_stages_of/djrwttt/
I also earned a history degree from Clemson University. I had a focus in Modern European history, mainly on Imperial Germany, WWI, and Weimar Era-Germany. I also have significant studies in Latin American history as well as pre-WWI Europe, but those aforementioned are where I have the most studying experience.
I would like to apply for a flair in Early Modern England, or specifically 16th-17th century Early Modern England Flair. I am a university student in my 3rd year of study in psychology, and this semester I have had the privilege to study in England, as I am from the USA. While I am not a History studies major, I spend a lot of personal time and study in History, as it is one, if not my favorite subject and am fascinated by the Early Modern England era. I have been able to gain much more knowledge, depth, and context to Early Modern England, especially during the Tudor/Stuart periods.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/78iux6/why_were_catholics_persecuted_so_heavily_in/
Thank you for my consideration.
