ALEX CRAVEN
Historical Researcher
Dr Alex Craven
Address: 17 Steamship House, Gas Ferry Road,
Bristol, BS1 6GL
E-mail: alex@alexcraven.co.uk
Tel: +44 (7951) 810970
Research interests
My interests have always been focussed upon the revolutionary period of mid-seventeenth-century British history, and in particular upon the history of the English Republic. Through my research, I have developed an interest in local and regional history. I also have an interest in the history of the English Church and its organisation Beyond this, my interests lie in both British and European history between the Reformation and the Industrial Revolution. Through my teaching and research, I am keen to promote British political, religious, social and cultural history within its broader context without losing sight of the particular outlook and concerns of individual regions and local communities.
Professional experience
Victoria County History of Gloucestershire
​2014 - present
Commissioned to write a 20,000-word history of early modern Cheltenham and the neighbouring parishes, for inclusion in the forthcoming volume of Victoria County History of Gloucestershire, which will focus on Cheltenham hundred.
Assistant Editor, Victoria County History of Wiltshire
​2007 - 2014
Responsible for research and writing parish histories for VCH Wiltshire, editing and producing VCH volumes, public outreach and knowledge exchange, developing profile of project through social media, securing funding for project, working with closely with partners at the Institute of Historical Research, London, at UWE, in local government and community. Undertook production and editorial tasks to prepare VCH Wilts. XVIII: Cricklade and Its Environs for publication in 2011, and undertook research and wrote five chapters (two as co-author) for the forthcoming VCH Wilts. XIX: Longleat and the Deverills.
2010 - present
Associate Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
​2004 - 2007
Responsible for teaching seminars and tutorials in mediaeval and early modern European and world history, including overseeing individual and group projects, setting and marking essays and exams, and lecturing.
2010 - present
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Manchester
​2002 - 2007
Responsible for teaching seminars on early modern European history at levels 1 and 2, including outlining class syllabuses, setting and marking essays and exams, and lecturing.
Publications
Book Chapters
"Brixton Deverill" (with Dr Virginia Bainbridge), "Compton Chamberlayne", "Hill Deverill" (with Dr Virginia Bainbridge), "Horningsham", and "Kingston Deverill", in VCH Wilts. XIX: Longleat and the Deverills (London, forthcoming 2014).
Articles
'The Commonwealth of England and the Governors of Lancashire: "New Modelised and Cromwellysed"', Northern History, 48 (2011), 41-58.
'"For the Better Uniting of This Nation": The 1649 Oath of Engagement and the People of Lancashire', Historical Research, 83 (2010), 83-101.
'Ministers of State: The Established Church During the English Revolution', Northern History, 45 (2008), 51-69.
'"Contrarie to the Directorie": Presbyterians and People in Lancashire, 1645-1653', in Discipline and Diversity, ed. J. Gregory and K. Cooper, Studies in Church History, 43 (2007), 331-41.
Education
PhD: University of Manchester
​2000 - 2004
'Coercion and Compromise: Lancashire Provincial Politics and the Creation of the English Republic, 1648-53'. Supervised by Dr C. B. Phillips, examined by Prof Ann Hughes and Dr R. C. Nash.
My thesis is a study of the relationship between central and local government during the formation of a regime that has been often overlooked, and the impact that that regime had upon provincial government and society. It examines issues concerning local government, the militia, the fiscal apparatus and the church within Lancashire, finding that, despite dramatic upheaval in the personnel involved, government continued to function effectively during the Commonwealth.
MA in Early Modern History: University of Manchester
​1999 - 2000
Dissertation: ‘That Cunningest of Machiavellians’: Henry Ireton and the Politics of the English Revolution, supervised by Dr Glyn Redworth.
BA (Hons) in Historical Studies - 2:1: Manchester Metropolitan University
​1996 - 1999