Midland History Journal

@midlandhistory

We are the principal academic journal covering the history of the English midlands, from Roman times to the twenty-first century.

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Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· 18d

✨ Just over 3 months until the deadline for the 2026 Midland History Essay Prize ✨ Submissions can be on any time period and any topic about the English midlands 📝 Max 10,000 words inc footnotes 💸 Best essay awarded £400 📗 Opportunity to publish 🗓️ Deadline 31st October More details 👇

Poster for Midland History Essay Prize 2026. White text on black background.

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Jun 29

Pauper letters provide a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary people across early modern England Join our colleagues at NTU and Glasgow University at this free workshop in Kendal on 16th September to explore the meaning and materiality of these vital resources, everyone welcome Details below 👇

Advert for event: WRITING UNDER STRESS: THE MEANING AND MATERIALITY OF PAUPER LETTERS
VENUE: Stricklandgate House, Kendal
DATE AND TIME: 16 SEPTEMBER 2026, 10AM TO 4.00PM

Pauper Letters are a fascinating historical source. They were written in their thousands by paupers to apply for, or negotiate the terms of, relief under the old poor law in England and Wales (1601-1834). In the past, historians have used them extensively to write new and important ‘histories from below’; but up to now they have tended not to look beyond the text in order to understand key issues such as how paupers
sourced paper and ink, and what it really meant for often barely literate writers to put pen to paper. Join our team of specialists for a one-day workshop when we will truly get ‘under the skin’ of these enigmatic documents, looking at materials and methods of construction, and exploring what they can tell us about past lives and popular literacy.

The Writing Under Stress team:
• Professor Steven King, Historian, Nottingham Trent University
• Dr Paul Garside, Conservation Scientist, University of Glasgow
• Dr Peter Jones, Historian, Nottingham Trent University

To book for this FREE event, follow the link in the text or contact Peter Jones for further information on: peter.jones02@ntu.ac.uk

Writing Under Stress: Wednesday, 16 September 2026, The Conference
Room, Stricklandgate House, Kendal LA9 4PU
This FREE workshop is suitable for enthusiasts with any level of experience.
Please note that lunch and tea/coffee will be provided.
• 10.00-10.15: Welcome, Introductions, Housekeeping
• 10.15-11.00: Session 1 - Pauper letters: What are they? Why do they exist? Who wrote them? How many survive? How have they been used up to now? Led by Steve King
• 11.00-11.15: Coffee break
• 11.15-12.45: Session 2 - The process of writing and sourcing: Orthography, blots, folds, crossing out, cuts, watermarks, different hands and initial comments on paper and ink. Led by Peter Jones
• 12.45-13.30: Lunch
• 13.30-14.30: Session 3 - Conservation science: perspectives session 1. Led by Paul Garside
• 14.30-14.45: Coffee break
• 14.45-15.45: Session 4 - Conservation science: perspectives session 2. Team
• 15.45-16.00: Plenary Session - Why does this matter? Led by Steve King

Logos for UKRI AHRC, Nottingham Trent University, University of Glasgow

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Jun 8

... from violence in the workhouse to Lichfield's public health, from Eleanor Davies' political activism to unmarried mothers in the Black Country, culminating in our keynote lecture on the Civil Wars in 100 Objects. Our thanks also to the National Civil War Centre for being such wonderful hosts.

Photo taken from behind audience in Tudor Hall and presenter

Photograph of presentation slide showing cover of 'The Civil War in 100 Objects' and presenter

Exhibition room in National Civil War Centre showing 'the Siege Works,' artefact cases, and several flags hanging from the ceiling.

Cover of 'The Civil Wars in 100 Objects' edited by Andrew Hopper

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Jun 8

✨ Conference round up! ✨ Thank you to everyone who attended our New Voices conference on Saturday and made the day so thoroughly enjoyable. It was great to see the variety of topics, perspectives, and time periods being investigated and the questions being asked of our region's history ...

Photo taken from behind seated conference audience, hearing opening remarks in the Tudor Hall at the National Civil War Centre

Photograph of presentation slide showing several large bells from Birmingham Cathedral, including quote: "often tolls the bell half an hour sooner than the common time and sometimes later."

Photograph of presentation slide showing photograph of Ellen Thornecroft Fowler by Alice Hughes plus reference

Photograph of presentation slide showing 16th century map of Warwickshire and presenter

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· May 11

Thank you to everyone who submitted abstracts for our New Voices in Midland History Conference. We had a fantastic response and are delighted to share the final programme 👇 Join us on 6 June at the National Civil War Centre for what promises to be a fascinating day of all things Midland History

Programme for New Voices in Midland History Conference, logos of University of Birmingham and National Civil War Centre, table of events, details for Session 1A

Programme for New Voices in Midland History Conference, details for Session 1A (continued), 1B, and 2A

Programme for New Voices in Midland History Conference, details for Session 2A (continued), 2B, 3A

Programme for New Voices in Midland History Conference, details for Session 3A (continued), 3B, keynote lecture, and 'Quiz the Editorial Board' event on 25 June on Zoom

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Apr 28

Join us for the inaugural Malcolm Dick OBE Annual Lecture in Midlands History ⚔️ Warwick Castle During the English Civil War by Professor Andrew Hopper ⚔️ When: 21 May, 16:30 (followed by drinks reception) Where: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Alan Walters Building, Room G11 Everyone welcome!

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Feb 3

Research day at Staffordshire History Centre and enjoying their Twenties Takeover exhibit containing flapper fashions, Smethwick-based Ruskin Ware ceramics, and even a Charleston how-to guide.

Two mannequins displaying clothing from the 1920s, one black evening dress, one beige fur-lined coat with a contemporary camera set up behind them.

Glass cabinet displaying several examples of 1920s ceramic vases and a large pattern book from the same period.

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Jan 12

✨ Call for Papers ✨ Are you a postgrad, ECR, independent scholar, or heritage professional researching any aspect of Midlands history? We'd love to hear about your work at our New Voices in Midland History Conference on Saturday 6 June at Newark Museum. CfP details below 👇 deadline 31 March.

CfP - New Voices in Midland Hisotry. For research covering Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Email 100 word abstract and title to Andrew Hopper (andrew.hopper@conted.ox.ac.uk), Imogen Peck (i.f.m.peck@bham.ac.uk), Justine Pick (j.pick@bham.ac.uk). Travel expenses for speakers up to £50. Lunch and refreshments provided. Attendees only, email Justine Pick to register with your name, institution/affiliation (if relevant), and email address, with subject ‘Attend New Voices in Midlands History Conference 2026.’

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Aug 12

To enter the Midland History Essay Prize, the essay must be a genuine work of original research, not published or accepted for publication as an article or a chapter in an edited collection book. Max. 10,000 words, including footnotes, tables and figure captions (2/2) More Details 👇

Flyer advertising Midland History Essay Prize 2025. Black background with text in while and image of journal front cover.
Email j.pick@bham.ac.uk for more details or enquiries.

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Jun 12

Researching any aspect of history of the midlands? Then this is for you 🫵 The Midland History essay prize offers a first prize of £400.00 and opportunity for your research to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Deadline for entries 31 October 2025 🎃 #skystorians #PhD

Flyer for the Midland History Essay Prize 2025 white text on a dark background with an image of the the journal's front cover. Deadline for entries is 31 October 2025

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Mar 21

The Midland History Essay Prize 2025 is now live! Submit an article relating to the history of the Midlands and be in with a chance of winning £400, plus publication in our journal. The deadline for entries is 31st October 2025. See the attached flyer for further details.

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Feb 3

On 8th April a book launch will be held in the Great Hall at Warwick Castle to celebrate the publication of 'The Household Accounts of Robert and Katherine Greville, Lord and Lady Brooke, at Holborn and Warwick, 1640-1649.' All welcome!

Midland History Journal@midlandhistory· Jan 22

On 27th September a one-day symposium will be held at the Rutland County Museum on the subject of 'Architectural Fashion vs Common Sense - the 19th Century Battle of Styles and its Legacy for Today'. See the attached images for the CFP and details of how to register.