Professor Fiona Edmonds

Professor in Regional History

Research Overview

I study medieval Britain, Ireland and Brittany, with interests ranging from the sixth century to the twelfth. My research focuses on maritime connections and now-lost kingdoms. Particular areas of interest are the Irish Sea region in the Viking Age; central Britain (northern England and southern Scotland) prior to the Anglo-Scottish border; and connections between northern Britain and Wales. My monograph Gaelic Influence in the Northumbrian Kingdom: The Golden Age and the Viking Age won the Frank Watson Book Prize, 2021. I have been involved in funded projects on Furness Abbey’s links across the Irish Sea and contacts between Britain and Brittany. I am interested in interdisciplinary work, for example combining historical and linguistic evidence through the study of names. From 2016-24 I was the Director of the Regional Heritage Centre, which received an Educate North Award for Community Engagement in 2023. I am committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education, including the department's Athena Swan Bronze award (2021). I have been awarded a British Academy mid-career fellowship for the academic year 2024/5.

Regional Heritage Centre Study Day: ‘Manuscripts and Medieval Life: the Great Cowcher Book of the Duchy of Lancaster’
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

The Great Cowcher display: Light Up Lancaster 2023
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition

Plenary lecture: 'Crags, cairns and combes: Celtic influences in the Lake District landscape'
Invited talk

Place-names and climatic shifts in northern Britain c.900-1300
Invited talk

The Medieval Diocese of Sodor: Evidence from Furness Abbey
Invited talk

Envisaging landscapes and naming places: the Ordnance Survey name books and the Lake District
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar

Frank Watson Book Prize Virtual Lecture 2021
Invited talk

Regional Heritage Centre excursion to Clitheroe – the battle of Clitheroe 1138
Other

Regional Heritage Centre Excursion to Vindolanda Roman Fort.
Other

The influence of the Ordnance Survey on the Lake District’s namescape
Invited talk

Saints’ Lives and medieval history in northern England
Other

York and Dublin - Pennine connections
Invited talk

The royal meeting of 927 and the Cumbrian kingdom
Invited talk

Lancaster Castle and Northern English History
Other

Scotland's National Book Awards 2021: History shortlist
Prize (including medals and awards)

Frank Watson book prize (best book on Scottish History)
Prize (including medals and awards)

Educate North Awards: Community Engagement Award
Prize (including medals and awards)

Edward Moore

Edward Moore

PhD student

  • Institute for Social Futures Fellow
  • Regional Heritage Centre