Joslyn Felicijan is a historian of war and memory in Eastern Europe, holding MA degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Bologna. Her research bridges memory, popular culture, gender, and diaspora across twentieth-century conflict zones. She has collaborated with museums and historical projects on the Second World War in the UK, France, Italy, and Lithuania. Drawn to the intersections of myth and history, her interests span the Ottoman Empire, Scottish rebellions, and Europe’s pagan past. In her spare time, she studies Lithuanian and travels across Eastern Europe and the UK, immersing herself in the cultures she researches.
Education
MPhil Modern European History — University of Cambridge, 2023
MA Global Cultures (hons) — University of Bologna, 2025
BA History (hons), 2016, with minor in Anthropology — Catholic University of America, 2016
Areas of Expertise
The English Reformation Retold Through Art That Captures the Gist of History
How did Henry VIII’s infamous split with Rome lead to the destruction of almost all English religious art during the Reformation?
Who Were the European Sultanas Who Shaped the Ottoman Empire?
These European-born brides and enslaved women mastered court politics and shattered centuries-old customs, emerging as dominant powerbrokers in the Ottoman Empire.
The Secret Relationship between Elizabeth I and the Ottoman Empire
For Elizabeth I and the Ottoman Empire, mutual enemies made for powerful allies. This bond changed global trade and laid the groundwork for an empire.
5 Terrifying Monsters That Haunt the Louisiana Bayou
Spotted for centuries by unlucky outsiders and mindful locals, these monsters and spirits supposedly haunt the ancient waterways and misty swamps of the Louisiana bayou.
10 Scandalous Marriages that Rocked Early European History
Explore ten scandalous marriages that ended dynasties, birthed global superpowers, shattered nations, and irrevocably changed the course of European history.
5 Pregnant Rulers Who Fearlessly Stormed Into Battle
From legendary empresses to noblewomen who terrified the Vatican, these pregnant rulers donned armor, subdued riots, launched invasions, and forged new nations.
How and Why Were Animals Treated Like Royalty in the Ottoman Empire?
Discover how Ottoman law and culture turned streets, gardens, and fountains into centers of communal care for stray, injured, and urban animals.
How and When Did Astrology Influence the Ottoman Empire?
How did astrologers become prominent advisors at the Ottoman imperial court, influencing crucial moments like Mehmed II’s conquest of Constantinople?
Which Witchcraft Trials Shocked Early Modern England?
How did local gossip turn into witchcraft accusations that sent regions into hysteria, scandalized the nation, and sentenced many to the gallows throughout early-modern England?
The Mysterious Angels of the Hagia Sophia and Their Rediscovery
Under the highest dome of the Hagia Sophia are the seraphim mosaics. Rediscovered within the last 20 years, these 700-year-old mosaics depict the highest-ranking angels.
How Did Ancient Romans Celebrate the Winter Solstice?
Why did Romans forgo social norms each December to partake in eccentric games, drinking, gambling, and costume parties? Welcome to the celebration of Saturnalia.
Who Was England’s Infamous Witchfinder General?
How was a self-proclaimed witch hunter able to torture and execute hundreds of accused witches without any official permission during the English Civil War?