Everything Everywhere All at Once: Exploring Medieval Place and Society through Local History
In this paper 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.
Date: 11 June 2025, 17:00
Venue: Rewley House, 1-7 Wellington Square OX1 2JA
Venue Details: and online via livestream
Speaker: Dr Simon Townley (Victoria County History of Oxfordshire)
Organising department: Department for Continuing Education
Part of: Medieval Society and Landscape
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-medieval-place-and-society-through-local-history-tickets-1280796309239
Audience: Public
Editor: Belinda Clark