Uncovering the stories of the radicals and rebels who terrified the 17th-century world.
all about me
Erica Canela is a public historian and author.
I am an early modern social historian specialising in the dark, chaotic, and deeply human undercurrents of the 17th century. My work explores the politics of fear, religious radicalism, and the transnational links between revolutionary England and the early American colonies.
As a regular contributor to prominent history platforms like History Hit and History Rage, I combine rigorous academic authority with a passion for visceral, cinematic storytelling.
My research focuses on the lived experiences of those who stood on the margins of society and were not afraid to push back.
How We Can Work Together
Whether you need a compelling on-screen presenter for your documentary, an expert commentator for your broadcast, or a historical consultant to shape your next project, I am here to help. I collaborate with media outlets and cultural institutions to bring the visceral history of the 17th century to life through sharp research and cinematic storytelling. If you are looking for a historian who bridges the gap between academic rigour and public engagement - that's me! Let's talk.
The Public Historian
I am going to change the way you see the 17th-century world. I write about the darker side of early radicalism and the politics of institutional fear. My work examines the parts of our shared history that are equally important, gripping, and deeply uncomfortable.
The Author
My research focuses on the seventeenth century, with a particular interest in dissenting voices, lived experience, and the emotional and spiritual worlds of ordinary people. I write about the individuals who challenged authority, navigated upheaval, and left traces of their inner lives in the archive.
Explore my work.
Check out some of my favourite work from previous projects and events!
About me
I am an early modern social historian fascinated by the human stories that sit beneath the surface of the seventeenth century. My research traces the emotional and spiritual landscapes of the period, looking at how people lived through upheaval, wrestled with belief, and carved out meaning in a world transformed by war and revolution.
Alongside my Ph.D from the University of Birmingham, I’ve shared my research through podcast interviews, festival stages, and public events, including appearances on Dan Snow’s History Hit, History Rage, Not Just the Tudors, History with Jackson, American History Hit, Talking Tudors, and The National Archives podcast, On The Record.
I’m especially interested in the traces individuals leave behind — letters, pamphlets, petitions, testimonies. I am a true print nerd. These fragments of paper reveal so much about the lived experience.
My publications include a chapter in Quakerism in the Atlantic World in the Long Eighteenth Century (Pennsylvania State University Press, 2021) and my book Zealous, which brings this research to a wider readership. I also contribute to public‑history platforms through articles, interviews, and collaborative projects that make early modern history accessible and engaging.
