Medieval Society and Landscape

This new seminar series will showcase fascinating insights into 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.

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.

All sessions will be delivered in hybrid format, so you can choose how you attend:


In-person at Rewley House, central Oxford
Online via livestream — join from anywhere in the world


See individual sessions for booking details.
Type: Seminar Series
Series organisers: Professor Elizabeth Gemmill, Dr Stephen Mileson
Timing: Wednesdays at 17:00, unless otherwise stated
Web Address: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/news/medieval-society-and-landscape-seminar-series
Organising department: Department for Continuing Education

Talks:

Wednesday 14 May 2025

Building a Church out of Herring: A 15th-Century Fishing Village
Date: 14 May 2025, 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker : Dr Tom Johnson (Oriel College, Oxford)
Venue: Rewley House, 1-7 Wellington Square OX1 2JA
Venue Details: and online via livestream
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 28 May 2025

The Popular Classes and Royal Justice in Medieval England, 1330-31
Date: 28 May 2025, 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker : Dr Chris Briggs (Cambridge)
Venue: Rewley House, 1-7 Wellington Square OX1 2JA
Venue Details: and online via livestream
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 11 June 2025

Everything Everywhere All at Once: Exploring Medieval Place and Society through Local History
Date: 11 June 2025, 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker : Dr Simon Townley (Victoria County History of Oxfordshire)
Venue: Rewley House, 1-7 Wellington Square OX1 2JA
Venue Details: and online via livestream
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Editors: Laura Spence, Belinda Clark