Britain had formally governed the Indian subcontinent from 1858, although its influence there had been growing for the previous two centuries. India was considered the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. Political, ethnic and regional movements in India were opposed to being part of a foreign Empire, and...

The idea behind this edition emerged from a discussion on how we ought to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Indian independence. From that, our discussions widened to consider how empires end in general, and to discover where new thinking about this can help us understand the dynamics of Empire. Most...

Each summer the HA holds an awards evening. The awards cover a number of important areas of the Association’s outreach work, its values and the roles of its members and supporters. Mary Beard awarded Medlicott Medal Newly-appointed HA President Professor Tony Badger introduced one of the high points of the HA...

Tony Badger is Professor in American History at Northumbria University with a distinguished career and reputation amongst his peers. He has been in senior roles at the University of Cambridge and published widely. “I am delighted to be able to work with Tony over the next few years. He is...

We are delighted to announce that the Medlicott Medal for 2017 has been awarded to Professor Mary Beard OBE FSA FBA. Mary Beard is known to many through her television and radio work and her highly acclaimed books. She is Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and editor...

The twenty-first Annual Dinner of the Isle of Wight branch was held at the Brading Roman Villa. Fifty members and invited guests assembled before the Dinner in the Villa itself to witness the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP, representing Her Majesty...

Messines Ridge is part of the arc of high ground in the south-east corner around Ypres in Flanders, to which the Germans tactically withdrew in autumn 1914 helping to form the Ypres Salient. From this vantage point the Germans were able to see just about anything the Allies did in...

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the Six Day War, a conflict which marked a significant turning point for the new Israel and its identity in the Middle East. The start of the twentieth century saw different relations developing between the communities in the region of the Middle...

The Historical Association Annual Conference is always an exciting time – an opportunity to listen to expert speakers, share ideas, discuss different approaches, learn something new, meet with  old friends, make new ones and generally embrace history geekdom. This year in Manchester was no exception. Over 350 people descended on...

This edition of The Historian sets out particularly to celebrate the life of Asa Briggs. It focuses on his work and achievements as an historian, in the widest possible sense of being someone who shaped the discipline as well as inspiring others through his research, teaching and writing. This is...