Competitions

  • Young Quills 2026 shortlist

    19th May 2026

    Each year, the Historical Association runs ‘Young Quills’, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition – so 2025 for this year’s selection. Our...

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  • Young Historian Awards 2026 – take part (Primary prizes)

    News Item

    The 2026 competition is now open. Entries close on 17 July 2026 (3 July for overseas entries). We want young people to get the bug for writing about history in an interesting and critical way. Each year the Historical Association in collaboration with the Spirit of Normandy Trust and Classics for All offers a...

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  • Write Your Own Historical Fiction Competition 2026

    25th November 2025

    Please note: entries for this year’s competition have now closed. Winners will be announced by the end of October 2026. Each year we are so impressed by the ever-increasing number and standard of entries we receive around such a wide range of historical periods and settings. You can take a look at...

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  • Talking History competition 2025 – the winners

    11th September 2025

    Talking History is now into its second year and gathering speed. Following the pattern of The Great Debate but adapted for Years 5 and 6 the competition seeks to encourage young people’s history and oracy skills through a public presentation. Schools are encouraged to enter their pupils into the online...

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  • Young Historian Awards 2025 – the winners

    4th September 2025

    Spirit of Normandy Trust SeniorAvani De Santis [Guildford Grammar School, Western Australia]Kyle Luk [Loughborough Grammar School] Caspar Wright [Wells Cathedral School] Spirit of Normandy Trust Key Stage 3 Anne Andrews [St Mary’s Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy, Leeds]Rafferty Ludlow-Maisey [Crypt Grammar School, Gloucester]Robert Moczynski [Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield] Spirit of...

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  • Young Quills 2025 – the winners

    4th July 2025

    Each year, the Historical Association runs the Young Quills, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition – so 2024 for this year’s selection....

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  • Young Quills reviews 2025

    Multipage Article

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  • Young Quills shortlist for 2025

    14th May 2025

    Each year, the Historical Association runs ‘Young Quills’, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition – so 2024 for this year’s selection. Our aim...

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  • Young Historian Awards 2024 – the winners

    16th September 2024

    Spirit of Normandy Trust Senior Vivaan Davda – The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai Spirit of Normandy Trust Key Stage 3 Joshua Broadbent – Royal Grammar School, Guildford Spirit of Normandy Trust Primary Salisbury Cathedral School Best School History Magazine [sponsored by the Mid-Trent and Mercia Branch] St Alban’s School Stockport...

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  • Young Quills winners and reviews 2023

    Multipage Article

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