The Mostyn Family in France and Italy

PhD Research Studentship

Supervisors/Schools:

> Professor Andrew Hiscock (School of English)
> Dr. Laura Rorato (School of Modern Languages)
> Professor Tony Claydon (School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology)

Description of Project:

This research project will focus upon the Mostyn archive. This archive constitutes a huge and diverse academic resource linked with the aristocratic Mostyn family. It is based at a number of locations across Mid- and North Wales and its documentation and artefacts extend in time from the Middle Ages to the contemporary period. In line with the College of Arts and Humanities’ commitment to innovative research, we do not propose a narrow thematic, chronological span or personal focus for this project, but instead will select the candidate according to the innovative qualities of his/her proposal with reference to the study of the Mostyns’ travel and dealings with Continental Europe, most especially France and Italy.

Every member of the supervisory panel is committed in their research and teaching to the study of the evolution of European culture from the late medieval to the modern periods. This research project will offer the opportunity not only to study the development in authority and power of an aristocratic family, but also to consider the status of material artefacts, the visual arts, personal correspondence and documents relating to estate management in such research enquiries. Given the richness and diversity of the Mostyn archive, the subject area of the successful candidate would be governed by their existing historical, literary and linguistic expertise – the latter might notably be supplemented by further language training in the School of Modern Languages at Bangor University. Given the nature of the Mostyn archive, it is clear that fields of enquiry into art collection, reading practices, the law, industrial development, elite tourism, religious confession could form pre-eminent areas of possible research for the successful candidate. It is envisaged that this project would rely on archival research being pursued at the Bangor University Archive, the National Library of Wales, and the Mostyn Estate itself, as well as regional archives.

Click here for full details of the terms and conditions of this award

Queries prior to a formal application concerning this research project should be addressed to:

Professor Andrew Hiscock (School of English): a.hiscock@bangor.ac.uk
Dr. Laura Rorato (School of Modern Languages): l.rorato@bangor.ac.uk
Professor Tony Claydon (School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology): t.claydon@bangor.ac.uk

Application:
The application deadline is noon on Friday 30 April 2010. For more information on how to apply, please click HERE Applicants will be contacted during the month of June 2010 with information relating to their submissions.