Event Details

CWD Research Seminar

The Centre for War and Diplomacy is pleased to welcome Dr Euan Roger (The National Archives) who will present a paper entitled 'The History of Treason’.

Treason, the most serious crime a person can commit, was first formally laid down in English law in 1352. Since then, it has had a bloody history in Britain and has been connected with such notable figures as Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, Charles I, and the Cato Street Conspirators. To celebrate the 670^th anniversary of the 1352 Treason Act, Dr Euan Roger co-authored a book on this topic that was released last year. He also curated an exhibition at The National Archives entitled ‘Treason: People, Power and Plot’ that examined the cases of traitors throughout British history from 1352 to 1946. In this paper, Euan will talk us through his archival discoveries and the historical mysteries he solved while writing the book and curating the exhibition.

Euan Roger is Principal Record Specialist in the medieval team at The National Archives UK. In particular, he specialises in the records of the late medieval and early Tudor English government, the law courts and secular clergy. He previously completed his PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London, which examined the history and heritage of St George’s College and Chapel, Windsor Castle. More recently, his research has examined the history of infectious diseases in pre-modern England and the life-records of the poet, Geoffrey Chaucer. He has recently published articles on both subjects, including a highly influential article that reconsiders the Chaucer ‘raptus’ case.