How far can the development of English local and regional history be regarded as a template for those of other nations? Focus your discussion on at least two of the three other nations of Britain and Ireland The purpose of this essay is to argue that despite developments In the discourses of local history In England undoubtedly Influencing those elsewhere; It has by no means provided the template for other nations.
Firstly, it will evaluate the historiographer’s canon of English local history; and secondly, a discussion as to whether this development can indeed be regarded as a template for the other actions in Britain and Ireland is put forward. In light of this, the essay begins by outlining how local history has developed within England.
It then discusses whether the local history of Wales, Ireland and Scotland can be seen to have followed the English model with regard to particular themes of chronology, Infrastructure and Identity: It Is argued that while a relatively similar progression has been made with regard to the country’s historical narratives, there remain distinct frameworks and character regarding local history. Finally, the essay analyses current local historical agendas in the individual countries and offering areas of scholarship.
Markedly, topographical descriptions again begin at very early dates. Nevertheless, unlike England, these documents consistently combine notions of myth or folklore with observations. 17 Animated particularly by European contemporaries, scholars placed the study of antiquities on a firm footing; however it is not until the seventeenth entry that notable local history documents begin to emerge. 18 English historical scholarship had been firmly established for some time and links proved influential in continued pedagogy. 9 This English ascendancy continued to be influential in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. 20 Similarly to England, local history was dominated by local gentry and elites. This influence can also be seen in the nineteenth century production of town and parish histories in Wales. 21 Nevertheless, the scope and potency of the VS.. Would not be matched in the other countries. Indeed, VS.. Would rove to be somewhat of a template from which to be followed, and this has been continued with the emergence of the Leister school. 2 Much of the differences with regard to the direction the local historical narratives have taken within each country, and subsequent disparities from the English template, can be traced to the institutional frameworks of each countries local history. England provides a potent sense of continuance in its template, typified notably in the influence of local gentry, relatively settled unit of study and the This English template is perhaps most evident with regard to Wales. This is not reprising given its geography and historical close administrative servitude to England.
Because of this historic relationship, Welsh local history has benefited from record publishing ventures in England, and archives continue to hold numerous sources that are pertinent to Welsh historians. 24 More noticeable differences in terms of the institutional underpinnings of local history can be seen in Ireland and Scotland. 25 Both have had turbulent histories both in terms of individuality and their relationship with England. For Scotland in particular, domestic dwellings were relatively limited before 1800. Furthermore, with no real stake in their land people have always been on the move. 6 This somewhat explains why there is no equivalent to VS.. Until asses and the poor provision of record offices. Similarly in Ireland, the long-well established sets of administrative units which helped continuity of English local historiography have been abundant with challenges. 27 Ireland’s land units did become Anglicizes through processes such as the Ordnance Survey between 1824 and 1926, nonetheless defining the boundaries of ‘local’ in Ireland remains difficult. 28 Further, many of Ireland’s archives were stored in 1922 in the War of Independence, meaning that certain types of local history have proved difficult since.
Such developments meant that the English template has not been followed, even if there had been a desire to do so. Instead, a wish to maintain strong individual identities has embodied the local historical narratives of each country. In Ireland, a collection of historical tribulations has engendered a diversity of regions with distinctive historical characters; Ireland’s complicated relationship with England itself throughout much of its history has left any communities with a distinctly eclectic character.
Also, due in part to the countries recent arbitration, Irish people remain fiercely territorial which is reflected in its local history. 29 As a result Irish local history has struggled to gain a distinctive identity within its historical profession and throughout its historiography has been highly politicized. Resembling Ireland, Scotland has been historically much poorer than England and experiences of the underdog have come out in literature. 30 Scots have also looked to mythologies of the clan for contentment. 31 Even Wales has a clear sense of character raced by both its territory and the culture of its inhabitants.
Profound pride in Wales and attachment to their locality are prevalent within the countries local historiography and has produced unique scholarship. 32 With the retention of strict identities, and these infiltrating local historical scholarships, the English template clearly remains in certain disciplines inconsistent. Today, local history in the separate regions does seem to somewhat replicate that of England. Upsurges in amateur activity set alongside family history have gone hand in hand with an increased academic recognition. 3 Movements towards more question-led approaches and the influence of other disciplines such as social history are compatible within each country. 34 Nonetheless, if examined more closely, discrepancies do appear. For example, there continues to be a dominant position for seen as a discipline in which divisions can help to be bridged. 35 In conclusion, throughout its development local and regional history in England has been dominant in terms of historical discourse and narrative within its locality. 36 Scotland, Wales and Ireland have all drawn from this persuasive model. This is certainly true in terms of the countries historiographers.
