ISWE SEMINAR SERIES 2016/17

Everyone associated with ISWE is looking forward to the next series of ISWE Research Seminars which starts this October.  Previous seminars have focused on issues such as contemporary estate management, the tenant experience and the performance of lordship in sixteenth century Wales.

For the opening of the 2016/17 session we look forward to welcoming Bettina Harden MA, former Chair of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust and Executive Member of the Georgian Group.  The fashioning of the landscape surrounding country houses represented an important means for the Welsh gentry to promote their status, wealth and identity.  Bettina will be talking about the development of garden taste and style across Wales, in a richly-illustrated presentation based on a forthcoming book.  ‘All these enchanting scenes’ is not to be missed. 

In November we are delighted that Dr Elizabeth Green will be joining us to talk about the National Trust’s approach towards presenting and promoting the country house and estate heritage of Wales.  Liz has responsibility for the curation and conservation of National Trust properties in Wales and will demonstrate the role that collaborative research can play in enhancing the visitor experience at sites such as Chirk Castle, Erddig, Plas Newydd, Powis Castle, and of course nearby Penrhyn.  Our partners at the Thames Valley Country House Partnership (based at Oxford University) have recently started an exciting long-term initiative with the National Trust, entitled ‘Trusted Source’ which we are very keen to replicate in Wales.

Finally, in the New Year Dr Lloyd Bowen of Cardiff University will be travelling to Bangor to talk about his research into ‘religion, status and honour in Jacobean Flintshire’.  Earlier in his career Lloyd undertook some excellent research into the household accounts of Sir Thomas Aubrey of Llantrithyd, Glamorganshire.  His latest project focuses on north east Wales and in particular the intense rivalry which developed between the Morgans of Gwylgre / Golden Grove and the Egertons of Egerton and Oulton in Cheshire following the death of Piers Mostyn of Talacre in 1606.  Featuring duals, stolen hawks and plenty of insults, this lively case study provides one of the most vivid insights into the mindsets and values of the seventeenth century gentry.

These seminars are available for anyone to attend; come along and you will receive a warm welcome! 

Further information on the seminars, including dates, times and locations can be found on our ‘events’ page. 

Publication date: 1 September 2016