history

  • Britain’s Atomic Bombs: Operation Grapple

    In light of recent news coverage, our MA student, Hannah Grimshaw, reflects on her grandfather’s experiences of atomic testing on Christmas Island. Operation Grapple was a series of nine British hydrogen and atomic bomb tests that took place on Christmas… Continue reading

    Britain’s Atomic Bombs: Operation Grapple
  • The Liddesdale

    In a second blog on our river Thames, following the blog from the country archivist, Jacqui Turner and Emily Astor glide on the river with the National Trust at Cliveden aboard the Liddesdale, Nancy Astor’s electric canoe. Emily and Jacqui… Continue reading

    The Liddesdale
  • Relics of Hiroshima – Lessons on the 80th Anniversary

    MA student Ruth Weber reflects on one of the most moving collections held in the archives at the University of Reading: tile fragments gathered from the ruins of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, 6 August 1945. Tiles. What comes… Continue reading

    Relics of Hiroshima – Lessons on the 80th Anniversary
  • Long Read: Our Outreach Roundup – Summer 2025

    The past few months have been busy for both staff and PhD students in the department. This summer, we played host to students who visited campus to take part in various activities. On June 10th, the department hosted Andover College… Continue reading

    Long Read: Our Outreach Roundup – Summer 2025
  • Finding History in the Humble: A Medieval Pewter Chalice

    Our MA student, Maebh Springbett, examines a medieval pewter chalice held in the collection of Reading Museum. In the centre of a dusty cave lit by dancing flames, the knight sits waiting. He is flanked by a grand display of… Continue reading

    Finding History in the Humble: A Medieval Pewter Chalice