Reflections on Studying the Past – Meddyliau ar Astudio'r Gorffennol
English conquest led to the creation of new chapels and parish churches across Wales, as well as some unique buildings like fortified churches and new elements such as the Norman-style font. Some new churches, like St Thomas, Neath, were founded to serve an English incomer community, while others, like St Illtyd’s, were much older and … Read more
Simon John – In the first semester of 2022/3, I was on research leave from Swansea, which enabled me to take up a visiting fellowship at the Käte Hamburger Centre for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies (CAPAS) at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. The aim of the Käte Hamburger Centres – a number of universities … Read more
Online Workshop, 5-6 October 2022 ALL TIMES ARE IN BRITISH SUMMER TIME (UTC +1hr) Register at our Eventbrite page Contact: monumentalmedievalism@gmail.com Wednesday 5 October (Join sessions via Zoom: HERE) 12:45-13:00 Welcome Euan McCartney Robson and Simon John 13:00-14:45 Session 1: Monumental Medievalism in Modern Japan Chair: Simon John (Swansea University, UK) Sven Saaler … Read more
Online Research seminar: Wed 8 December 1.15pm Dr Rhea Seren Phillip This paper will discuss identity, memory and uses of the past, along with global interactions and connections which have a Welsh association. The primary focus of the paper will be the history of Princess Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn and her rebellious familial ties. However, I … Read more
On 6 & 7 September 2021 Swansea University and Nicolaus Copernicus University (Toruń, Poland) co-hosted this interdisciplinary conference welcoming registered delegates, both historians and art historians from Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Finland, England, Wales, Ireland, Spain and Brazil. Delegates discussed, from a variety of cultural and historical perspectives, the complex relationships that existed … Read more
On 1 May 1851 – almost exactly 170 years ago – the Great Exhibition first opened its doors to the public. Housed in Hyde Park, in the vast temporary structure that was quickly christened the Crystal Palace, the exhibition remained open until 15 October. During that time, it attracted millions of visitors, many of whom … Read more
In this short video, you can watch Dr Emma Cavell discuss the impact of the Black Death on Wales. Dr Cavell is a historian of the central Middle Ages with a particular interest in questions of gender. Her current research concentrates on Jewish men and women and the law.
Dr Matthew Stevens’ book, The Economy of Medieval Wales, 1067-1536 has been attracting some glowing reviews recently. The book examines the economy of Wales from the first Norman intrusions of 1067 to the Act of Union of England and Wales in 1536. Key themes include the evolution of the agrarian economy; the foundation and growth … Read more
Dr Matthew Stevens has launched a new podcast. It investigates episodes in history that highlight the worst and best of the human condition. He says: History can tell us about past ideas and events, and in doing so it tells us something about the universal. When we hear voices from the past, that say what … Read more