The Pastons – A British History Study

Author(s): Tim Taylor & Sue & Roger Eagle

Theme: History

Main Curriculum Focus
A British History Study

Inquiry Question
"What can the rise of a rural family to national prominence, their tribulations, ambitions, and interests tell us about the lives of people living through the most turbulent period of British history?"

Expert Team: Historians

Client(s): The Paston Society

Commission
To visit, explore, and catalogue the contents of an ancient family house.

Context

This is a long-form history study looking at the history of Britain as seen through the eyes of a Norfolk family - the Pastons - who rose to prominence during the age of the plagues and then suddenly fell, three hundred years, later through decadence and by reaching too high.

The Paston Society commission a team of historians to visit, explore, and catalogue the contents of an ancient family house that has fallen into disrepair. It is not long before the team begins to uncover an extraordinary history of greed, ambition, and fortitude to mirror a period of history that saw four dynasties rise and fall.

Resources and materials dropbox.

 

Downloads
Download PDF