Dr Robert Higham BA PhD FSA FRHistS

Honorary University Fellow

Bob Higham’s research interests cover two broad topics relating to the medieval period: the general theme of defence, in both its military and social aspects, and the medieval archaeology of South West England. He is particularly interested in the interplay between archaeological and historical data in the medieval period. Specific areas of research include urban defence, the archaeology, social and settlement history of castles and castle-building society, and the settlement history of Greater Exmoor.

Recent publications include entries on British castles and fortified towns in the Enciclopedia dell'arte medievale (Rome 1995 etc); contributions to the proceedings of the International Castles Institute meetings, including (with A.D. Saunders) ‘Public and Private Defence in British Medieval Towns’ (vol. 50, 1997); and a discussion of castles and fortified towns in An Historical Atlas of South West England (University of Exeter Press, 1999). He is co-author (with P. A. Barker) of Timber Castles, a major excavation monograph: Hen Domen, Montgomery: a timber castle on the English Border (University of Exeter Press) and Medieval Town Walls: An Archaeology and Social History of Urban Defence

He was founder secretary of the Castle Studies Group, is a member of the Scientific Council of the International Castles Institute (Europa Nostra), and is a vice-president of the Royal Archaeological Institute.