This one-day conference seeks to examine how scholars engage with works of art, architecture, and other objects associated with late medieval and early modern parishes. Papers will offer a variety of perspectives on use of the ‘fabric’ of parish churches as both a subject and source of evidence. Papers from art historians, historical archaeologists and socio-cultural historians will enrich understanding of parish communities and their material cultures through a synthesis of methodologies and resources. The conference will additionally serve as a showcase for recent contributions by leaders in the various fields, highlighting the risks and rewards for interdisciplinary endeavour. Delegates should anticipate lively debate and an exploration of the methodological implications of the material aspects of parish life in both British and wider European contexts.

As a joint venture between the departments of History and History of Art, this conference is interdisciplinary in both structure and content. We have been fortunate to assemble a diverse group of speakers, each working on a distinctive facet of parish material cultures and representing a different scholarly perspective.

Thanks to the generous support of Warwick’s Humanities Research Centre (HRC) conference costs can be kept to a minimum, i.e. £12 for postgraduates and £25 for all other delegates (incl. lunch and refreshments).

In order to enhance discussion, and preserve an informal ‘seminar’ atmosphere, the number of places is limited, so please return the registration form (which can be downloaded from the Symposium website: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/parishsymposium) as soon as possible and by 23 April 2011 at the latest to:

Susan Dibben, Humanities Research Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.