Exploring Medieval Place and Society through Local History.
Wednesday 11th, June 2025.
5:00pm – 6:00pm.
Rewley House,1 Wellington Square,Oxford,OX1 2JA.
FREE.
Join Dr Simon Townley for the next talk in the new seminar series on ‘Medival Society and Landscape’, convened by Professor Elizabeth Gemmill and Dr Stephen Mileson.
In this talk Simon Townley reflects on what a local history approach can offer to the study of medieval society. Over many years Simon has researched, written and edited dozens of parish histories for the Oxfordshire VCH, a county-based research programme which is attached to the nationally organised Victoria County History project, famous for its ‘big red books’. The VCH method involves detailed archival and landscape research into all facets of local history, including landownership and local government organization as well as economic, social and religious history. Such investigation ‘on all fronts’ often reveals connections and trends which are less apparent from more prescribed research focusing on particular topics or periods. When looked at with an eye to larger patterns and contexts the VCH-type approach can add a valuable dimension to understanding changing medieval societies in particular places.
This series will be a showcase for the intellectual excitement of the history and archaeology of the medieval period, with a focus on societies, economies and landscapes. It is intended as a venue for friendly and collaborative discussion of research in progress, of sources and methodologies, and of the interface between academic research and local and community history and archaeology. The Middle Ages has sometimes been unfairly dismissed as arcane and unapproachable, yet its sources speak to scholars across academic disciplines who are interested in our rich heritage of documents, material culture, and the landscape. The seminar is aimed at staff and students across the university and interested individuals in the wider community in Oxford, the UK and worldwide.
These talks are open to staff, students, and anyone interested in medieval history and archaeology — locally and globally. Sessions will include a mix of papers by established scholars and practitioners, and shorter presentations and discussions by undergraduate and postgraduate students.
These talks are FREE and accessible either in person at Rewley House or on-line. Please book in advance via Eventbrite.
