READING HISTORY

Early Modern History

  • Three radicals, two anniversaries… and one Great Charter

    By Dr Rachel Foxley This year I’ve been involved in events marking two anniversaries, four hundred years apart: the birth of the radical pamphleteer John Lilburne in 1615, and the sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede on 15 June 1215.… Continue reading

  • The Sick Child in Early Modern England, 1580-1720

    By Dr Hannah Newton ‘How can you study such a depressing topic?’ I am often asked this question. The subject of my research – children’s illness in the early modern period – doesn’t exactly sound like a barrel of laughs.… Continue reading

  • The Windsor Witches

    by Professor Helen Parish Swarms of witches, devilish magic, and dramatic trials: Professor Helen Parish reveals the telling history of the witches of Windsor in our fantastic new video, giving you a taste of history at the University of Reading   Watch if… Continue reading

  • The post-Reformation history of Hallowmass

    By Professor Helen Parish Earlier this week, my colleague Anne Mathers-Lawrence posted a blog with the provocative title Who Invented Hallowe’en? It is a fantastic overview of the medieval origins of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and a… Continue reading