Women’s History: Maud Heath & Beyond, Exploring the Lives of Women Before 1600

Maud Heath is one of Wiltshire’s most well-known mediaeval women, with a causeway named after her and monuments raised in her honour. Yet she is one of many women of Wiltshire before 1600 whose lives are notable and worthy of celebration, but whose stories are not studied or recounted.

This study day explores women’s history before 1600—women’s diverse impacts on the society, economy, religion and politics of the world around them. The event will feature papers and discussions and will draw, in part, on academics involved in the Victoria County History project, presenting their insights from research in place-based histories from Wiltshire and beyond.

The event is specifically designed to promote the long-overlooked discipline of women’s history and will appeal to local history enthusiasts, historians, genealogists and anyone interested in women’s lives in Wiltshire past.

The keynote speaker is Professor Catherine Clarke, Director of the History of People, Place and Community at the Institute of Historical Research who will question the role of Artificial Intelligence in women’s history research with a fascinating look at whether AI can reflect back our own assumptions, prejudices, and gaps in our historical knowledge, and if there ways we can use generative AI productively, to re-visit gaps and uncertainties, to re-tell women’s stories, and start new conversations?

This study day forms part of the Maud Heath National Lottery Funded project which provides free entry to this event but places can be booked via Eventbrite.

Maud Heath and Beyond: Exploring the Lives of Women Before 1600 at The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre event tickets from TicketSource.

Free parking is available in front of the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, which is a 5–10 minute walk from Chippenham Railway Station.

For further information contact Emily Malcolm, email emily@yesterdaysstory.co.uk