PhD – Part-time
"London's north-west Kent hinterland? Ruxley hundred, 1200-1350"
Dr L V Hicks and Dr S Prince
My thesis examines the former administrative hundred of Ruxley in north-west Kent (now absorbed into the Greater London boroughs of Bexley and Bromley) between 1200 and 1350, focusing on the relationship of this rural community with the city of London. It explores whether tax returns and archaeological evidence can throw light on the nature of that relationship, since manorial documentation from lay estates in Kent rarely survives at this date. The aim is to provide a wider historical context for local heritage sites including Scadbury Manor.
I have volunteered in local archaeology for many years and hold an extra-mural diploma in field archaeology from Birkbeck, UoL. My first degree was in classics so after retirement from an unrelated career, I studied for an MA at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, to support a switch to medieval history.
I am currently Chairman of the Orpington and District Archaeological Society (ODAS) - www.odas.org.uk
We work in LB Bromley and are conducting a research project at the scheduled site of Scadbury Moated Manor, Chislehurst. We carry out public outreach through talks, visits and open days at Scadbury and at a local Romano-British bathhouse site.