Jonathan Masters

Research Overview

My research examines the social and economic development of medieval Lancashire as evidenced by change in landscape and agroeconomic activity during the period 1150 to 1550. My area of investigation focuses on the coastal wetlands and low-land plains between the Ribble and Mersey rivers. My approach draws on the interpretation of minor place-names recorded in such documents as title deeds as evidence of significant change in landscape through socio-economic practice. My studentship award is an ESRC CASE studentship in collaboration with Lancashire County Archives at Preston. More broadly, I am interested in historic landscape, the development of socio-economic and political networks, the customs and practice of medieval land tenure, the Duchy of Lancaster, and the development of Lancashire's 'gentry'.