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BGU History NEA Award 2022
The first History prize for best 'Non-Exam Assessment' (NEA) was awarded last month. -
BGU Historian Contributes to Routledge Handbook of French History
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) Programme Leader for Undergraduate History Dr. W. Jack Rhoden has penned a chapter in the Routledge Handbook of French History. The chapter, titled 'From Dictator to Democrat? The ‘Black Legend’ of Louis-Napoleon and Subsequent Historical Revisionism,' delves into the complex legacy of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, the nephew of the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte, who ascended to the French imperial throne in his own right and held sway for a longer tenure than his uncle. Rhoden introduces students to what has been written about Napoleon III whilst helping them to understand how changing contexts and political viewpoints led historians to come to vastly different conclusions about him and his rule, with some calling him a despot and proto-fascist, and others considering him to be the 'good' Napoleon and forerunner of post-war European integration. Rhoden's chapter helps students navigate this minefield and encourages them to think about how contemporary concerns impact academic history writing and interpretations. Jack Rhoden said:"It was a great opportunity to be part of this project and I'm very grateful to the editor Dave Andress for all his efforts in bringing together and organising such a large group of French historians. "I'm really keen for students to read my chapter and learn more about the continued relevance of Napoleon III and the historical debates that have raged around him, particularly in our present era of equally controversial political leaders such as Putin, Erdogan and Trump. In fact elements of this research are already integrated into the undergraduate history module: Democratic Dictators."Find more information on the book here. Discover History at BGU here. -
New history of Lincoln
A detailed history of an area of Lincoln has just been published with contributions from 4 members of BGU staff. This is volume 10 of the Survey of Lincoln series: ‘Birchwood, Hartsholme and Swanpool: Lincoln’s Outer South-Western Suburbs’. This includes chapters by Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall (Skellingthorpe Aerodrome and hutments); Dr Hazel Kent (Hartsholme Country Park); Dr Andrew Jackson (The Hartsholme Housing Estate); Dr Michael Jones (Archaeology), BGU Visiting Reader; and also Heritage Studies graduate, Lesley Clarke (Swanpool Garden Suburb). The volume is available from local bookshops at £6.95, and there is a public event relating to the launch of the volume at the Lincolnshire Archives, Saturday 13 December, 11:00am-1:00pm. -
Local history to be unearthed at excavation
Chapters of Lincolnshire’s history may soon be uncovered at a ground-breaking archaeological excavation in Swanpool. Bishop Grosseteste University’s (BGU) annual Archaeology Field School will mark the beginning of a significant years-long archaeological research project. Launching in June, the project aims to explore a complex, multi-phased site at Haw Hill in the Swanpool area of Lincoln, which has never previously been subjected to archaeological excavation. Located on the edge of the historic city of Lincoln, the site is believed to contain buried evidence of significant historical interest. A geophysical survey has already revealed indications of buried archaeology, and fieldwalking has uncovered prehistoric flint, Roman tile, butchered animal bones, worked limestone blocks, and inscribed post-Medieval tiles. According to documentary evidence, Haw Hill was the site of a variety of buildings and structures, including: a small religious house, St Mary Magdalene Hartsholme Hospital, a Middle Saxon church, and more. Jo Walker, Assistant Director for Western Growth Corridor at City of Lincoln Council said: “We are currently working with BGU to provide access to the land at Swanpool for this project. “The site is within the wider boundary of the Western Growth Corridor area but is separate to the development proposals set out as part of the masterplan. “We hope the project will bring many benefits in terms of skills, learning and a greater understanding of the historic value of the area.” History and archaeology enthusiasts are invited to join the BGU Archaeology Field School over the course of four-weeks. Participants will receive training in field archaeology and excavation skills, post-excavation finds processing, and data recording. All training and teaching will be delivered by expert archaeologists and qualified site supervisors, overseen by a Director of Training and Welfare. Dr Derwin Gregory, Archaeology and Heritage Programme Leader at BGU, said: "We are thrilled to launch this field school, which will not only give participants the chance to gain practical experience in field archaeology and excavation, but also provide valuable insights into the historical significance of Haw Hill. “We hope that the Archaeological Research Project will uncover new information about the site's past, and we look forward to seeing the excavation grow and evolve for years to come.” Two bursaries are available to military families, supported by Wings to the Past. This project uses archaeology and heritage projects to support personal resilience amongst Royal Air Force personnel and their families. The bursaries will provide a unique opportunity for two military families to spend time together, learn new skills, and explore the heritage of their area. The field school will run from Monday 12th June 2023 to Friday 7th July 2023. To register or learn more about the field school, email Derwin.Gregory@bishopg.ac.uk. With limited places available, early booking is recommended. -
BGU History in the Media
November has been a busy month for the past and present staff and students of our History and Humanities courses. Five members of staff and two former BGU students have contributed to the latest volume of the Survey of Lincoln series: North of the River Witham. The BGU staff involved and their contributions comprised of: Dr Mick Jones - the archaeology of the area Dr Chris Bonfield - Lincoln’s early schools Dr Hazel Kent - cinemas Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall - The Drill Hall Dr Andrew Jackson - the Cooperative Society. Lesley Clarke, a former BGU student, provided chapters on Greyfriars and the Central Library while Helen Durham along with Professor Heather Hughes of Lincoln University, presented a chapter on the visitor economy in central Lincoln. The support of BGU to this volume is recognised in a feature within the Lincolnshire Echo, (25 November). Earlier in the month, our Head of School of Humanities Dr Andrew Jackson made an appearance at the BBC Radio Lincolnshire Armistice Day Live Broadcast on 11 November. He spoke about his work on the WWI home-front poet, Bernard Samuel Gilbert and was joined by Maureen Sutton, local poet and folklorist, who read out a few of Gilbert’s wartime poetry in dialect. For more information about our History courses, please click here. -
Pubs in Lincoln: A History
Members of the History team at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln have been out and about studying pubs over the last few months. Their research will feature in the first volume of the new theme-related series from the Survey of Lincoln project – ‘Pubs in Lincoln: A History’. Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall and Dr Hazel Kent have written about ‘Pubs in Wartime Lincoln’, while Dr Andrew Jackson discusses the city’s ‘Council Estate Pubs’. “The book traces the long history of the public house in Lincoln, and also charts what has been the rapid and striking disappearance of so many local pubs over the last couple of decades”, said Andrew Jackson, Head of School of Humanities at BGU. Pubs in Lincoln will be available from bookshops from 18 November 2017. Find out more about History at BGU. -
Remembering SOE Agent Denise Bloch on Holocaust Memorial Day 2021
This piece has been written by Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall, Programme Leader for Military History at Bishop Grosseteste University -
Heritage Open Days & The Early History of Bishop Grosseteste University
Since 1994, Heritage Open Days have run every year shining a bright light on England's rich and diverse cultural heritage. This year, from 10-19 September, heritage sites across the county reflected on the theme of 'voices unheard', exploring 'stories from women, children, the working class and agricultural workers, minority groups and even animals that have somehow contributed to the history of Lincolnshire'. Bishop Grosseteste University has been educating students for over 150 years, but its early history was devoted to training young 'school mistresses'. In January 1862, 'Lincoln Diocesan Training College for Schoolmistresses' opened its doors for women who aspired to be teachers. As seen in the image below, the 'Joyce Skinner Building' is one of the original college buildings. Figure 1: A watercolour painting of Lincoln Diocesan Training College in 1888. BGU Archive During the first fifty years some 1,320 girls entered Lincoln Diocesan Training College. After gaining their teaching certificates, some women went on to have careers in elementary schools. Others passed away far too young—some married, and their daughters later attended the college. A few daring women even travelled to far off British colonies to teach. Interestingly, the vast majority of trainee 'schoolmistresses' came from working-class backgrounds. During the nineteenth century, teaching was considered a working-class profession, as it was deemed immoral for the upper classes to educate working class children. Figure 2: The oldest surviving image of students at Lincoln Diocesan Training College c1860s. BGU Archive For a young woman to be given a chance to study at a teacher training college in the late nineteenth century there was an expectation that she would have successfully carried out the role of an apprentice teacher. 'Pupil Teachers' aged between 13 and 18 years of age, spent four to five years shadowing teachers in an elementary school. Alongside teaching the youngest school children, they also carried out domestic duties. Pupil Teachers were also expected to conduct their study before or after the school day. While extremely demanding, the pupil teacher scheme was also preparing the young women to take the Queen's Scholarship Exam. This exam ultimately determined their national ranking. It was from this list that College Principals selected entrants. The Principal at Lincoln Diocesan Training College used the Queen's Scholarship List, but also chose candidates based on their physical well-being, religious knowledge, and geographical proximity, preferring candidates from Lincolnshire or nearby counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Figure 3: The Student Common Room c. 1900s. The Common Room was only added to the College in 1895 after numerous requests from the Inspector. BGU Archive Once at the college, the young women could not escape their working-class roots as domestic duties were still required. The college décor was plain, the amenities were sparse, and the food was basic. However, despite a rudimentary diet of potatoes, meat and bread, regular college food was more than what many of the girls were used to. A fascinating medical record held within the BGU Archive reveals that one group of undernourished trainee teachers managed to put weight on at the turn of the twentieth century, and their general health improved considerably during their two years at college. To learn more about the university’s early history and heritage, and study History, Military History or the MA in Social & Cultural History in the surviving Victorian buildings, please click here. -
BGU celebrates Black History Month
October is Black History Month in the UK – a month that highlights the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people in the UK across various areas. -
New exhibition explores British troops' deployment experience
‘Behind the Bastion’, an art exhibition exploring the personal stories of British troops deployed to Afghanistan, will open to the public on Friday 9th June. The exhibition features new artwork by Ed Kluz and pieces created by veterans. Led by Bishop Grosseteste University's Archaeology and History Programme Leader, Dr Derwin Gregory ‘Behind the Bastion’ is part of a wider project on vernacular ‘placemaking’ within the British military, exploring how British troops make operational bases feel like home while deployed overseas. Dr Derwin Gregory said: “This project aims to bring together art, history, and military experience to uncover the often-overlooked stories of British troops deployed overseas. “I hope 'Behind the Bastion' will generate new conversations about the personal experiences of troops and the impact of their built environment on mental health, and I look forward to sharing our findings with the public." The project has been made possible by the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, a national partnership programme of over 20 artist commissions inspired by the heritage of conflict. Led by Imperial War Museums, the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund was created following the success of 14-18 NOW, the official UK arts programme for the First World War centenary. Rebecca Newell, Head of Art at Imperial War Museums said: “Working with artists has been a core part of IWM’s practice since the First World War. Part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, Behind the Bastion continues this important tradition, telling stories of conflict through new and thought-provoking ways.” Artist Ed Kluz, who has been commissioned by the project for the temporary exhibition, said: “It has been such an honour to work with the veterans in carefully exploring the profoundly complex experiences of serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. I knew from the start of the process that the pace and lines of enquiry had to be led by them - by the exploration and respectful acknowledgement of their trauma and testimonies in collaboration with our art therapist. “The form of this piece references the watchtowers which are often found in war zones surrounding military bases. Here, though, rather than it being a structure from which a view is achieved by looking out, here perspectives and insights are gained by peering in.” The exhibition is free to visit and will run from Friday 9th June to Sunday 20th August 2023 at The Stable Yard Gallery at Doddington Hall. For more information, click here or contact derwin.gregory@bishopg.ac.uk.
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