Historians and Local Heritage – Bolsover Castle Dr Miriam Dobson, Department of History, University of Sheffield

Nine MA students took the ‘Early Modernities’ module last year. In the second semester, Bolsover Castle became the focus of their exploration into late renaissance taste and culture.

Over several weeks, the group visited the castle and met with curators and other experts. Their task: to prepare a ‘portal’ or internet- based ‘gateway’ to the history of Bolsover Castle in the Seventeenth Century.

Working on the Bolsover Castle project was an excellent way to take a different approach to history, presenting a different set of challenges from traditional academic work. It was particularly exciting to be able to interact with a historical site, something we haven't had much opportunity to do as undergraduates. - Richard Scott

Having to write something for a non-academic audience helped me to think about the clarity of my writing style. I found it useful to visit the castle. It helped me to think about how the organisation of space in the building would have affected people's understandings of the world. - Heather Swinsco

For further information about this project, please contact: Dr Miriam Dobson Department of History Jessop West University of Sheffield S3 7RA