ISWE Book Awarded 2026 British Agricultural History Society Prize
Dr Shaun Evans of the Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates at Bangor University has been awarded the 2026 Joan Thirsk Memorial Prize by the British Agricultural History Society for the Best Book in British or Irish Rural or Agrarian History.
The Prize was awarded for Shaun’s book on Coming of Age Celebrations on Welsh Landed Estates: Gentry, Culture and Society, c.1770–1920, published by Boydell & Brewer last year.
He shares the 2026 award with Prof. Mark Bailey of University of East Anglia for his publication on Serfdom in England: Theory and Practice 1200 to 1500.
The British Agricultural History Society was founded in 1952 to promote the study of agricultural history and the history of the rural economy and society. The Society publishes the Agricultural History Review and Rural History Today, and as well as organising a regular programme of academic conferences and seminars for furthering research in rural history, hosts LIBRAL: The Library of Rural and Agricultural Literature.
In 2017 the Society established the Joan Thirsk Memorial Prize in honour of one of its former presidents and founders. Dr Joan Thirsk (1922-2013) was one of the leading historians of her generation, exerting a major influence on the development of agricultural and rural history, and pioneering scholarship across several areas of social, economic, early modern and local history. She was general editor of the landmark series, The Agrarian History of England and Wales.
The Joan Thirsk Prize exists to perpetuate her memory and immense contribution to historical scholarship.
In making the award to Dr Evans, the Prize Committee noted that Coming of Age Celebrations on Welsh Landed Estates ‘‘fills a significant gap in explaining how landed estates worked in Wales. Through an interdisciplinary approach which combines forensic analysis with vivid descriptions, Evans uses coming of age celebrations to provide a fascinating window onto whole communities, encapsulating those at the top and bottom of social hierarchies.’’
In responding to the award, Shaun commented that: ‘‘I’m overjoyed to hear that my book is the joint winner of the 2026 Joan Thirsk Prize. It’s a huge honour for me, not only because of who the Prize commemorates – Joan Thirsk is an enduring inspiration to anyone researching rural and agricultural history – but also because of the list of previous winners, whose work I greatly admire. I’m absolutely delighted!’’
Shaun added that: ‘‘Back in 2021, towards the start of my research, the British Agricultural History Society kindly invited me to present some of my initial ideas as part of their Spring Online Lecture Series. The feedback, questions and suggestions I received as part of the event played an important role in shaping my arguments, so I’d like to thank the Society for their support of the research.’’
Shaun is set to receive the Prize at the BAHS Spring Conference and AGM in Sheffield in early May.
More information about the Joan Thirsk Memorial Prize can be accessed on the British Agricultural History Society website.
A report of Shaun’s book launch, with explored some of thew principal themes and arguments of the research, can be accessed on our website.
The book is available to purchase via Boydell & Brewer. To celebrate the Prize, they are offering a special discount on the book. Code EMH26 gives 50% off and free shipping until 31 May 2026.