Overview
Shaun is Director of the Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates (ISWE) and Lecturer in Early Modern and Welsh History at Bangor University. Originally from Flintshire, he studied History at York before proceeding to Aberystwyth to undertake his doctoral research on the dynastic identity of the Mostyn family and estate across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Following the award of his PhD he worked as part of the Research Team at The National Archives.
Shaun was appointed Director of ISWE in 2015, with responsibility for overseeing the management, strategic direction and intellectual development of the research centre. ISWE exists to enhance both public and academic engagement with the histories, cultures and landscapes of Wales. It operates as a partnership with Bangor University Archives and Special Collections. To find out more about ISWE, please visit: http://iswe.bangor.ac.uk/.
Additional Contact Information
shaun.evans@bangor.ac.uk
+44 (0)1248383617
Teaching and Supervision
Shaun lectures and teaches on a number of early modern and research skills modules within the School of History, Law and Social Sciences, including:
Undergraduate:
HXH-1002: The Six Lives of Henry VIII
HGH-2133/3133: The Tudors: Politics, Society and Religion, 1485-1603
HTW-2127/3127: Wales and Europe in the Renaissance: Image, Language and Identity, c.1450-1630
Masters:
HPH-4004: Research Skills
HPH-4005: Themes and Issues in History
HPH-4006: Documents and Sources – Medieval and Early Modern
HPS-4015: A (dis)united Kingdom? Early modern perspectives on the makeup of Britain, 1485-1707
Supervision:
Shaun is happy to be approached by undergraduate and postgraduate students to supervise dissertations in early modern or Welsh history. Enquires about doctoral projects relating to the work of ISWE are always welcome.
Research Interests
Shaun is a historian of gentry culture and landed estates in Wales across the period c.1500-1900. His research primarily focuses on the social and cultural history of landownership and its interconnections with wider issues of identity, heritage, ancestry, social relations and the operation of power, status and authority in Wales. This includes an interest in the political and cultural history of Wales and its role in the creation of Britain after 1485 and the Act of Union of 1536-43. Landowner-tenant relations, estate landscapes, gentry identities and the Welsh country house represent important focuses in his work. This extends to publications on heraldry, heirlooms and commemorative practice, vernacular portraiture, libraries and the materiality of archives.
Shaun’s approach to research is inherently collaborative and interdisciplinary. He enjoys working with cultural heritage partners on collections-based research projects which have impact beyond academia, including in the sphere of heritage interpretation. He is a strong advocate of public history methodologies and community engagement. All these elements are all embedded in ISWE’s wider strategy and approach.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2024
- E-pub ahead of printCentury-scale loss and change in the fishes and fisheries of a temperate marine ecosystem revealed by qualitative historical sources
Moore, A., Brander, K., Evans, S., Holm, P. & Hiddink, J. G., 20 Jul 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Fish and Fisheries.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2023
- Published'An antient seat of a gentleman of Wales': The place of the plas in Thomas Pennant's Tour in Wales (1778-83)
Evans, S., 8 Sept 2023, Visitors to the Country House in Ireland and Britain: Welcome and Unwelcome. Ridgway, C. & Dooley, T. (eds.). Dublin: Four Court Press, Dublin, p. 196-219
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - PublishedRoute of Change on Angleysey
Collinson, M., Wiliam, M., Evans, S., Williams, C. & Rowland, M., 27 Jan 2023, Rural History Today, 44, p. 5-6.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - Accepted/In pressWales and the Country House: Reflections on Decline, Loss and Renewal
Evans, S., 2023, (Accepted/In press) The British Aristocracy and the Modern World.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
2022
- PublishedBook Cultures, Gentry Identities and The Welsh Country House Library: Problems and Possibilities for Future Research
Evans, S., 1 Jun 2022, In: Welsh History Review. 31, 1, p. 17-54
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIntroduction: Books and Manuscripts in Wales
Chadwick, M. (Guest editor), Ward Clavier, S. (Guest editor) & Evans, S. (Guest editor), 1 Jun 2022, In: Welsh History Review. 31, 1, 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue › peer-review - PublishedIntroduction: Land Reform, Estates and Society
Evans, S., McCarthy, T. & Tindley, A., Feb 2022, Land Reform in the British and Irish Isles since 1800. Evans, S., McCarthy, T. & Tindley, A. (eds.). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, p. 1-24
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - PublishedLand Reform in the British and Irish Isles since 1800: Scotland's land
Evans, S. (Editor), McCarthy, T. (Editor) & Tindley, A. (Editor), Feb 2022, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 336 p. (Scotland's land)
Research output: Book/Report › Anthology › peer-review - PublishedNew Perspectives on Welsh Industrial History by Louise Miskell (ed.)
Evans, S., Mar 2022, In: EH.Net: Economic History Association.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Book/Film/Article review - Published‘The battle of the Welsh nation against landlordism’: The Response of the North Wales Property Defence Association to the Welsh Land Question, c. 1886–1896
Evans, S., Feb 2022, Land Reform in the British and Irish Isles since 1800. Evans, S., McCarthy, T. & Tindley, A. (eds.). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, p. 259-284 (Scotland's land).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
2021
- Published'Coming of Age’: Landowners and tenants in nineteenth-century Carmarthenshire
Evans, S., Dec 2021, In: The Carmarthenshire Antiquary. 57, p. 76-89
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedAssessing the impact of collections-based collaboration across archives and academia: the Penrhyn estate archive
Evans, S. & Simpson, E. W., 2019, In: Archives and Records: The Journal of the Archives and Records Association. 40, 1, p. 37-54
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEditorial: Special edition on Estate Archives
Higgins, S., Evans, S. & Mathias, J., 22 Apr 2019, In: Archives and Records: The Journal of the Archives and Records Association. 40, 1, p. 1-4
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review - PublishedGruffudd Hiraethog, heraldic display and the ‘‘five courts’’ of Mostyn: Projecting status, honour and authority in sixteenth-century Wales
Evans, S., 2019, The Display of Heraldry: The Heraldic Imagination in Arts and Culture. Robertson, F. & Lindfield, P. (eds.). London: The Heraldry Society, p. 116-33
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - PublishedReport on the History of Maes Mynan
Evans, S., 2019, Prifysgol Bangor University.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedTowards a toolkit for estate records
Owen, G., Mathias, J. & Evans, S., 2019, Archives and Records: The Journal of the Archives and Records Association, 40, 1, p. 86-109.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2018
- Published#Mostyn100 - The Mostyn Manuscripts Exhibition
Evans, S. & ap Huw, M., 2018
Research output: Non-textual form › Exhibition - PublishedInventing the Bosworth tradition: Richard ap Hywel, the ‘‘King’s Hole’’ and the Mostyn family image
Evans, S., 1 Dec 2018, In: Welsh History Review. 29, 2, p. 218-253 36 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPlace-Names of Flintshire by Hywel Wyn Owen and Ken Lloyd Gruffydd
Evans, S., 2018, In: Flintshire Historical Society Journal. 41, p. 166-68
Research output: Contribution to journal › Book/Film/Article review - PublishedProsiect Penrhyn: Tu Hwnt i'r Chwarel | Beyond the Quarry Exhibition
Evans, S. (Other) & Gwyn, M., 2018
Research output: Non-textual form › Exhibition - PublishedTroy House: A Tudor estate across time by Ann Benson
Evans, S., 2018, In: Vernacular Architecture. 49, 1, p. 160-61
Research output: Contribution to journal › Book/Film/Article review - Published‘‘Between two interests’’: Pennant A. Lloyd’s agency of the Penrhyn estate, 1860-77
Evans, S., 2018, The Land Agent: 1700-1920 . Tindley, A., Rees, L. A. & Reilly, C. (eds.). Edinburgh University Press, p. 184-201
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - Published‘‘Ye Best Tast of Bookes & Learning of Any Other Country Gentn’’: The Library of Thomas Mostyn of Gloddaith, c.1676-1692
Chadwick, M. & Evans, S., May 2018, Libraries, Books and Collectors of Texts, 1600-1900 . Bautz , A. & Gregory, J. (eds.). Routledge, p. 87-103
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
2017
- PublishedDarganfod Tai Hanesyddol Eryri / Discovering the Historic Houses of Snowdonia by Richard Suggett and Margaret Dunn
Evans, S., 2017, In: Transactions of the Caernarvonshire Historical Society. 76, p. 141
Research output: Contribution to journal › Book/Film/Article review - PublishedThe Lloyd family of Pentrehobyn, Flintshire
Evans, S., 2017, Mold: Pentrehobyn Estate Publications.
Research output: Book/Report › Book
2015
- PublishedRandle Holme the Elder and the Development of Portraiture in North Wales, c.1600-1630
Tittler, R. & Evans, S., Oct 2015, In: The British Art Journal. 16, 2, p. 24-29
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSt. Winifred’s well, office-holding and the Mostyn Family interest: Negotiating the Reformation in Flintshire, c.1570-1642
Evans, S., 2015, In: Flintshire Historical Society Journal. 40, p. 41-72
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
2014
- PublishedThe House of Brynkir, c.1500-1700
Evans, S., Dec 2014, Plas Brynkir, Dolbenmaen. Baker, M. (ed.). Caerphilly: Love My Wales, p. 11-34
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Activities
2023
- Darlith 'Augusta Mostyn'
Darlith a drefnwyd ar y cyd gyda'r Ganolfan Ymchwil SYYC/ISWE
4 Dec 2023
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor) - The Llanfeirian Experiment: Transforming the Bodorgan estate landscape in the mid-20th century.
Presentation to Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Field Club about the project (Audience - c. 70)
20 Jan 2023
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2022
- Bodorgan Estate Heritage Route
The Bodorgan Estate (https://www.bodorgan.com/) located in south-west Anglesey has received a Welsh Government grant to construct a new public footpath through part of the estate, linking to the existing Wales Coast Path. The development of the footpath infrastructure will proceed alongside a programme of habitat restoration. The route will embrace several important landscape features, linked to the social, cultural and economic history of Anglesey. The project is committed to sharing this landscape history with future users of the footpath through the installation of appropriate heritage interpretation along the route. The Bodorgan Estate is collaborating with Bangor University’s Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates (http://iswe.bangor.ac.uk/) to deliver these objectives.
The Project Team (Shaun Evans, Marc Collinson, and Mari Wiliam) advised and supervised the work of two paid postgraduate interns (Matthew Rowland and Catrin Williams). They undertook archival work at Bodorgan and interviewed members of the local community to provide historical information and oral testimony to aid the creation of heritage interpretation along the path and online. Members of the team intend to produce academic-level publications in due course.
1 Aug 2022 – 31 Dec 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Research and Teaching at External Organisation (Organiser) - BU-IIA Funded Project: Historic Houses for the Twenty First Century: Heritage, Innovation and Sustainability
Irrespective of the ownership model (and there are many) historic houses are tending to incorporate multiple functions based on visitor attraction and public use: heritage site, tourist destination, events, hotel, restaurant/café, community space, farm shop; in addition to a range of activities and land uses associated with their parks, gardens and other outdoor spaces. Our project is grounded within this context of achieving sustainability for heritage through transformational change, with a particular focus on the sector in Wales. It adopts and seeks to reapply primary themes and findings from Innocastle, an Interreg Europe project which explored the pan-European policy framework for stimulating rural and regional development through historic castles, manors and estates; and HERIT, an Erasmus+ initiative focused on the provision of digital tools for the sector. Our project is designed as a strategic knowledge-exchange initiative to develop practical research-informed answers and guidance on the following core questions: 1) What is the role of the historic house in twenty-first century Wales? 2) How can historic houses innovate to achieve sustainable futures?
Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £9297
1 Apr 2022 – 31 Mar 2023
Activity: Other (Contributor)
Projects
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01/09/2020 – 10/01/2023 (Finished)
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Networks of News: Reanimating the Mostyn Manuscript Newsletters and Correspondence (c.1672-1740)
01/08/2018 – 15/06/2020 (Finished)
Other Information
Beyond his roles at Bangor University, Shaun serves as Chair of the North East Wales Heritage Forum (https://www.newalesheritageforum.org.uk/), which represents over fifty local history and heritage groups across Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. He is a Trustee of the Discovering Old Welsh Houses group (https://discoveringoldwelshhouses.co.uk/), Patron of the Friends of Clwyd Archives and sits on the Council of the Flintshire Historical Society. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the RCAHMW List of Historic Place Names of Wales project (https://historicplacenames.rcahmw.gov.uk/).