Awarded annually, the Prize is in the sum of L100 sterling for the best paper
submitted in the field of English Local History. Papers should be in the
region of 15,000-20,000 words, produced according to a basic academic
stylesheet (double-spaced, wordprocessed or typed, preferably with footnotes
rather than endnotes). In the past, selected papers have been published in the
University of Leicester's Occasional Papers in English Local History. At the
moment there is no immediate prospect of publication, but it is hoped at some
stage to continue the series of Occasional Papers.
Further information is provided below as follows: (1) an extract from the pro
forma letter sent to those interested in making a submission for the Prize;
(2) a list of the titles of recent winners of the Prize to indicate the
broad range of submissions; and (3) precise details of how to submit.
1 [Extract from a letter composed by the Head of Department which gives a
broad intent, but is not exclusive]. 'It is hoped that intending competitors
for this annual prize will be broadly sympathetic to the approaches of this
Department or will be working in some other way constructively to advance
scholarship in the subject. By "English local history" (which may also be
taken to embrace Wales) we understand the historical study of two inter-related
matters: local society and local landscape. In the former case the society may
be regional or rural or urban, but it should display an identifiable character
of its own. Such a "community" may be studied as a whole or thematically with
respect, for example, to its institutions, its economy or its culture. In the
latter case, the landscape in question may range from the topography of an
individual settlement, or the characteristic of an identifiable district (of,
for example, woodland or fen) to the nature of a region ... The department is
especially concerned to illuminate questions of general historical significance
through the intensive study of the particular. Entries from those who wish to
throw new light in some other way on an aspect of national history, through the
study of a locality, therefore, will be closely considered.'
2 Recent themes of winning submissions.
Marriage horizons in east Kent, 1620-40.
The topography and development of Saxon Cambridge.
The Bedford estates and agricultural politics in early Victorian
England.
Chantries in the parish in late medieval Bristol.
Civil marriage, sectaries and justices of the peace, 1653-7.
The Family of Love in eastern England.
Critical assessment of churchwardens' accounts.
The decline of Stourbridge Fair, 1770-1934.
The keeping of the peace in early modern Cheshire.
3 The closing date for submissions in each year is Dec 31. Submissions are
assessed by a panel, usually completed by March, whereupon informal
notification is made, followed by the formal award by the University by summer.
Those intending to submit should: either send a letter by snail mail to The
Coordinator, The John Nichols Prize, Department of English Local History, 5,
Salisbury Rd., Leicester, England, LE1 7QR; or e-mail me (pot@le.ac.uk).
Dave Postles
pot@le.ac.uk