Stephen J. Roberts BA, MA, PhD, PGCE, Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Talks which I Offer
I am Wirral born and bred, but have lived in different parts of the country in consequence of my history teaching career. I am interested in the history of all places during all periods, but specialize in the history of the northwestern region of England (from Cheshire up to the Scottish border), as well as the history of North Wales and of the Irish Sea Littoral.
I have written histories of Hoylake and Meols and of Wirral and my PhD was about Wirral during the Great War of 1914-1919. Here are some of the topics about which I am happy to speak. If you are interested in a topic which does not appear on the list, get in touch and I might be able to put something together for you. All topics are based on primary sources and original research. They are not distillations of other people’s work.
· The general history of Wirral from c. 8000 BC to 2000 AD, including the development of its landscape, settlement, migration, economy and society during any period or periods and focusing on any district or township.
· Any aspect of Wirral and the Merseyside region during the Great War, including both home front and military topics e.g. Effects on Family Life, Women and the War, the War and the Working Class, Regiments and Battles, Commemoration etc.
· Social and Economic History of the ancient Parish of West Kirby, including Ancient Meols, Hoylake’s Maritime History, Farming, Families and Landscape in the separate townships of West Kirby, Grange, Caldy, Frankby, Newton, Greasby, Great and Little Meols and Hoose.
· Life in Medieval Wirral based on primary sources such as charters, deeds and manorial records.
· Life in Roman Wirral in view of recent Archaeology.
· The Fields of Wirral.
· Wirral Myths – Monks, Tunnels, Smugglers, Wreckers and Roman Roads.
· Wirral and the Northwest and their relationship with the Empire and Slavery.