
This doctoral research examines everyday life in early modern Stratford-upon-Avon (1537-1649) by analysing surviving wills and other historical documents. The study specifically uses wills to explore the practice of will-making, kinship structures, emotional connections, and the legal and economic standing of women during this period. By focusing on the experiences of women, the research contributes to a broader understanding of non-elite women in England at the time. The innovative use of Nvivo software helps classify bequests and naming patterns, offering a more nuanced perspective on how people in this era viewed their families, friends, and possessions. The thesis advocates for a comprehensive approach to studying wills, highlighting their complexity and usefulness as historical sources. The findings challenge conventional assumptions about kinship and the financial and legal opportunities available to women of the middling sort in early modern England.
This entry pertains to a specific doctoral thesis completed at the University of Birmingham.
This doctoral research examines everyday life in early modern Stratford-upon-Avon (1537-1649) by analysing surviving wills and other historical documents. It specifically uses wills to explore the practice of will-making, kinship structures, emotional connections, and the legal and economic standing of women during this period.
The research uses Nvivo software to classify bequests and naming patterns. This offers a more nuanced perspective on how people in early modern England viewed their families, friends, and possessions.
This entry pertains to a specific doctoral thesis that has already been completed at the University of Birmingham. For current postgraduate research admissions, please refer to the university's official pages.
This information relates to a completed PhD thesis. For information on applying for postgraduate research at the University of Birmingham, please refer to the university's official admissions pages.