The Dorothy Dunnett History Prize 2017, worth £1,000, is offered by the Dorothy Dunnett Society (Scottish Charity SC030649 SCIO) in pursuit of its constitutional aim:

“To advance the education of the public concerning the history, politics, culture and religion of the 11th, 15th and 16th centuries by promoting the study of and research into such subjects particularly as they relate to the works of Dorothy Dunnett and to disseminate to the public the results of such research.”

The Prize is for an essay of  up to 5000 words (normally 3000-4000). Entries will be accepted from students registered on a PhD programme at any recognised higher education institution. The competition is not limited to medievalists but open to those in other relevant areas of study, including Byzantine or early Ottoman studies.

Thematic Guidelines
The novels of Scottish writer Dorothy Dunnett (1923-2001) are supported by extensive geographical and historical research, and have wide-ranging settings including (using present-day names) Scotland, Norway, Belgium, France, Italy, Cyprus, Russia, Turkey, England, Iceland, Poland, Algeria, Gambia and Mali. Her work explores many issues of political, military and cultural/social history.

The author set her fictional characters within the actual events and among the real people of the times. Her novels also explore more general themes including: the development of trade; banking; exploration and discovery; the role of women; the rise of industries such as printing and dyeing; diplomacy and spying; social mobility; transport and travel; domestic life; contemporary literature, music, art and artists; the role of religion and religious communities; conflict and war.

Essays may address any aspect of current historical research that meets the Society’s aims and/or falls within the thematic guidelines or other relevant topics and is contained, broadly, within the time periods of the novels.