Dr Stuart Pracy

My research confronts inequity by studying state power, status-construction, land-lording, violence, and the agency of labourers in early medieval England (c. 900-1150). To this end, I examine subaltern groups (in both rural and urban settings) in the medieval world and unpick discourses of power, how relations of exploitation were and are legitimized, and local vs. supra-local experiences of state control. 

Biography:

After training for a career as an artist and, later, a jeweller, I returned to higher education as a mature student. Following the completion of my PhD at the University of Manchester under the supervision of Dr Charles Insley and Professor Paul Oldfield, I began my current role as a Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Exeter in the spring of 2021. Since, I have taken on several leadership roles within the department, always with an eye to ensuring that our institution can be as welcoming and inclusive as possible. 

Supervision:

I welcome enquiries from students working on early and high medieval England (c. 500-1200) and/or resistance and labour throughout the Middle Ages (up to 1500). I would be particularly keen to supervise students in the following areas:

• Social regulation
• Violence and coercion
• Resistance 
• Exploitation 
• Peasants and labour
• State construction and power

Individuals interested in discussing a potential PhD topic should email me a 500 word outline of their proposed research topic and a copy of their CV.