Reading University Conference in Early Modern Studies 2009

Early Modern Research Centre, University of Reading

Authority and Authorities

The next annual meeting of the Reading conference on early modern studies will be held on 6-8 July 2009. The Reading conferences are as broadly based as possible, reflecting the most interesting developments in current research. Accordingly we welcome proposals for either complete sessions or individual papers from scholars in any discipline or any area of early modern studies, including Atlantic, European and imperial perspectives.

The informal theme of the conference in this year of particular significance for the history of monarchy (1509, 1649, 1689) will be Authority and Authorities. Plenary lectures will be arranged around this theme and papers or entire sessions on authority and authorities are particularly welcome. Participants might think of addressing the following themes:

* Literary and visual representations of authority
* The rituals of authority including coronations, progresses, civic entries and civic ceremonial, the punishment of malefactors
* The exercise of authority by monarchy, landlords, urban, rural and colonial governors
* Challenges to authority and authorities: rebellion, resistance, subversion
* Patriarchialism and authority within the household
* Authoritative texts (Classical, scriptural, Patristic, authorised service books and government proclamations): their uses and their circulation, in manuscript and print
* the emergence of new sites of authority in cities, in print, medicine and other spheres
* The basis of authority in the Reformation and post-Reformation churches
* Reformations of manners and the exercise of authority over marginal groups

Proposals for panels should consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of four papers. Each panel proposal should contain the names of the session chair, the names and affiliations of the speakers and short abstracts of the papers.

A proposal for an individual paper should consist simply of a 200 word abstract of the paper with brief details of affiliation and career.

Proposals for either papers or panels should be sent by email to the chairman of the Conference Committee, Professor Richard Hoyle, by 31 January 2009, r.w.hoyle@reading.ac.uk.

Proposals are especially welcome from postgraduates. The conference hopes to make some money available for postgraduate bursaries. Anyone for whom some financial assistance is a sine qua non for their attendance should mention this when submitting their proposal.