Postgraduate and Early Career Seminar

Rebecca Roberts (Teesside University) presented a fascinating paper at the Postgraduate and Early Career Seminar last night, entitled ‘The Houses of Sir Arthur Ingram and Lionel Cranfield, earl of Middlesex: a comparative study of elite architecture in England, 1600-1640. Rebecca made a convincing argument that, in terms of architectural fashion and cultural awareness, it was the provinces of England that were regarded as ‘backwards’ rather than the north of England, per se. Along the way, Rebecca discussed the use of brick in these buildings, made the point that regionalism may have influenced the use of available, local building materials and highlighted the influence of Inigo Jones’s architectural style. Rebecca also made the point that distance from London was significant, as proximity to London allowed access to London craftsmen.

In the discussion that followed the paper, Rebecca elaborated on the rationale behind studying the two individuals in question. Ingram and Cranfield were not just contemporaries but friends, suggesting that they would have shared similar networks and contacts.

This was the final seminar paper in the current series. For details of seminar papers in the Autumn term, please click here.

History Lab Summer Social

You are warmly invited to the History Lab summer social on Thursday 20th May 2010 at 7.30pm in the SAS common room. Please come along for free drinks and nibbles and catch up with other history postgrads. Non-member postgrads are welcome to come along too.

See the attached invitation for more details.

Simon Lambe (St Mary's UCL) 'The Tudor Monarchy and the Somerset gentry'

Simon's PhD is a study of the developments in the style of government under the early Tudor monarchs. On May 6, he gave a paper focusing on the Paulet family of Somerset, and particularly Sir Amias Paulet (c.1457-1538) and Sir Hugh Paulet (1532-1588). These two men fulfilled the duties of the county squire and gentleman while remaining as the eyes and ears of Tudor government.

In the questions and comments that followed the work of Helen Speight and Mary Robertson over the management by Thomas Cromwell of the southwestern government. Speight argues, contrary to Roberston, that it was beyond Cromwell's competence to 'manage' southwestern government in the manner she suggests. Simon stressed the success of the Paulet's in their roles as local governors and it was suggested that they were the exception in terms of their ability to maintain connections with local institutions and central government.

Simon's paper added to the historiography in its tackling of a county, and in its focus on gentry families rather then the nobility.

On 20 May, the History Lab postgraduate seminar will host a paper by Caroline Watkinson (Queen Mary, University of London) 'Exiled English Convents and the French Revolution'. This will be followed by the History Lab summer social event.

David Turner (York) 'Managing the royal road: the development of managerial structure on the London and South Western Railway 1836-1881'

David Turner gave a highly stimulating account of the LSWR's managerial structure, and its development, in a paper to the History Lab Postgraduate Seminar on 22 April.

The paper analysed some of the key driving factors of organisational change in the management of LSWR, and considered how these impacted on the company's performance. An important characteristic of management was the amount of independence enjoyed by each of the departments of the company. This independence came about largely through the demands of administration, and the absence of centralised control throughout this period.

A stimulating discussion followed the paper in which questions were asked about the efficiency of the company, and the issue of social mobility within its staff.

More about David's work can be found on his blog which can be found at: turniprailway.blogspot.com

The next paper is on 6 May, when Simon Lambe, (St Mary's, London) will present a paper on the Tudor monarchy and the Somerset gentry.

Postgraduate and early career seminar - dates announced

Dates and titles for the Postgraduate and Early Career Seminar have now been announced:

18 March Rebecca Conley (Manchester)
Modern England is Rapidly Blackpooling Itself: J.B. Priestley, Blackpool and Englishness

20 April David Turner (York)
Managing the 'Royal Road': The Development and Failings of the Managerial Structure on the London and South Western Railway 1836-1900

6 May Simon Lambe (St Mary's University College)
The Tudor Monarchy and the Somerset Gentry

20 May Caroline Watkinson (QMUL)
Exiled English Convents and the French Revolution

All seminars take place in the Low Countries Room, Institute of Historical Research, University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU. Seminars start at 5.30pm, and there are drinks afterwards. All postgraduate and early career researchers welcome.