Medieval Charnwood Forest: Wasteland or Wonderland

Presented by Dr Ann Stones

Medieval Charnwood Forest was an upland, rocky, sparsely populated and largely uncultivated area of north-west Leicestershire which contrasted sharply with the rich and plentiful ‘champion’ landscape of the Soar Valley to its east. But what were contemporary perceptions of medieval Charnwood? Was the forest seen as a barren, deserted and rather mysterious place, a barrier to cultural integration? Or was it instead a more familiar landscape, one regarded as a valuable resource and cultural meeting place? At this forum we will examine landscape, archaeological, place-name, cartographical and place-name evidence in an attempt to find answers to these questions.

About the Presenter

Ann Stones studied for a BA (Hons) in Humanities at Vaughan College and then went on to do an MA in English Local History. She completed a PhD in English Local History which researched the boundaries of medieval Charnwood Forest (University of Leicester, 2018). Her PhD was sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in collaboration with Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust’s ‘Charnwood Roots Project’.

Ann has also previously worked for Leicester Vaughan College as an Action Researcher for the Community Explorers Project which was run in association with Leicester Aging Together (LAT). She was also the first convener of the Vaughan Forums.

Event Details

This is an in-person forum. There will be tea and cake before the Forum. The talk will start at 6.30pm and finish by 7.45pm. It will be held at Leicester Adult Education College on Belvoir Street, LE1 6QL.

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To help us with catering numbers, please book your place for this free event here.