Christopher Dyer facts for kids
Christopher Charles Dyer, born in 1944, is a well-known history professor. He is an Emeritus Professor, which means he's retired but still highly respected. He teaches about local and regional history at the University of Leicester in England. He also used to lead the Centre for English Local History there. In 2008, he received a special award called the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his important work.
His Early Life and Teaching
Christopher Dyer studied at the University of Birmingham. One of his teachers there was a famous historian named Rodney Hilton. After finishing his studies, Professor Dyer taught at the University of Birmingham and also at the University of Edinburgh.
While teaching at Edinburgh, one of his students was Gordon Brown, who later became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In 2003, Professor Dyer moved to the University of Leicester, where he continued his teaching and research.
What Does He Study?
Professor Dyer is famous for studying the history of everyday life. He looks closely at the economy and social history of people during the Middle Ages. His research mainly focuses on the English Midlands region, covering a long period from the Saxon times up to the 16th century.
He was invited to give a series of important talks called the Ford Lectures at the University of Oxford. These talks were about how the economy and society in England changed during the later Middle Ages.
In 2013, Professor Dyer gave another lecture called 'Corby, Northamptonshire and Beyond: The History of Industry in the Countryside'. This talk was part of The Marc Fitch Lectures.
Books and Articles
Professor Dyer has written many books and articles about medieval life. Some of his well-known works include:
- Making a Living in the Middle Ages: the People of Britain, 850–1520 (2002)
- Standards of Living in the Later Middle Ages: Social Change in England c. 1200–1520 (1989)
- Lords and Peasants in a Changing Society: the Estates of the Bishopric of Worcester, 680–1540 (1980)
- An Age of Transition? Economy and Society in England in the Later Middle Ages (2005)
He has also written many articles for history journals, often exploring specific topics like trade patterns, village life, or different types of farming in medieval England.
