Doing History in Public

Tag: politics

  • Love Story or Western? Ducal marriage in Normandy

    Love Story or Western? Ducal marriage in Normandy

    By Fraser McNair Fraser is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of History. His thesis is entitled ‘The development of territorial principalities between the Loire and the Scheldt, 893-99′. Ah, Valentine’s Day. You know, while the day has some bad press, I personally appreciate the opportunity to indulge in some soppiness and sentimentality. And what could be more…

  • Bad Habit: A Wrongdoing Abbot in Tenth-Century Burgundy

    Bad Habit: A Wrongdoing Abbot in Tenth-Century Burgundy

    By Fraser McNair Fraser is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of History. His thesis is entitled ‘The development of territorial principalities between the Loire and the Scheldt, 893-99′. Once again, a story from a charter: in this case, from the record of the resolution of a dispute over land. In 997, Bruno, bishop of Langres, arrived at…

  • Wealth, status, and power: is the franchise the same as the vote?

    Wealth, status, and power: is the franchise the same as the vote?

    By Carys Brown @HistoryCarys Wealth and status were at the heart of eighteenth century politics, so much so that those with enough of both could have significant political influence even without enfranchisement. Such was the rather peculiar position of British Catholic gentlemen, who could not vote or hold political office until 1829 because of their religion.…

  • The refugee crisis in Europe: should history drive the debate?

    The refugee crisis in Europe: should history drive the debate?

    By Carys Brown @HistoryCarys Heartbreaking stories of the thousands of refugees crossing into Europe this summer sparked widespread demands that the UK government take more action to relieve the plight of those seeking asylum. A sense that future generations will judge critically how Europe reacts to the crisis has played heavily in debates about what…