In his recent book The Monastic World, Andrew Jotischky looks at how from the late Roman Empire onwards, monasteries and convents were a common sight throughout Europe. The history of monasticism is defined by the fierce and passionate abandonment of the ordinary comforts of life, the most striking being food and drink....

The HA Annual Conference will be held in Newcastle in 2026. This two-day conference on 15-16 May is a leading highlight of the history community's year. It brings together all those working in and who have an active interest in history and heritage. With top-level academics, pedagogical sessions and discussion panels, the conference is...

In his recent book The Cuckoo’s Lea Michael J Warren provides a exploration of how birds are entwined with British history, particularly in our place names.  Join us for an exclusive Q&A with the author to weave together literature, history and ornithology and discover a fascinating heritage that matters deeply now when so...

The month of July was not an auspicious month during the First World War. In 1916 it had the worst day in history for the British military in terms of casualties and deaths in one day, on 1 July – the start of the Battle of the Somme. One year...

We are delighted to announce the Honorary Fellows for 2025.  Each year the Historical Association awards Honorary Fellowships to a small group of people. These awards are to recognise and celebrate outstanding services to history and to the Historical Association. The awards cover services to the Historical Association Branches (of which there are...

This Volunteers’ Week we want to say a huge thank-you to all our amazing volunteers. The Historical Association – now nearly 120 years old – could not continue to exist and to provide ‘history of all, for all’ without you. Volunteers form all of our committees and working groups, run...

80 years ago, the Second World War came to a conclusion in Europe. While some may have been rejoicing in the streets, millions of others were on the move across Europe and around the world. These people were refugees of a global conflict, of genocide and a new developing Cold...

Supporting the teaching of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history In addition to drawing together a number of resources to encourage learning this June we are also using the month to highlight the launch of our fundraising plan to create a Teacher Fellowship on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history in memory...