Writing for the past, present, and future.
all about me
Erica Canela is a public historian and author.
As an award‑winning historian, I specialise in seventeenth‑century history, with a focus on the British Civil Wars and the turbulent social worlds that followed. With years of experience as a public speaker, I deliver enthusiastic, insightful talks and presentations that make history accessible and enjoyable. I share my research through books, podcasts, festivals, and media appearances.
I love bringing complex archival stories to life for modern audiences.
How I can help you
Whether you’re looking for a speaker to bring a historical moment to life, a writer who can illuminate the past with clarity and depth, or a collaborator for talks, workshops, and public events, I’m here to help.
The Public Historian
I am going to change the way you see early Quaker history. I write about the darker side of early Quakerism and also examine the impact of the British Civil Wars on religious dissent – the parts of the story that are equally important and 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.
