Sensing the Past: Analysis of the Intangible
We caught up with our recent graduate and winner of this year's James Hunter Dissertation Prize, Ewan Armstrong, to discuss studying history, why he chose 糖心动漫vlog and exciting future plans!
Why did you decide to enrol on the BA History degree with 糖心动漫vlog Centre for History?
When the pandemic struck in 2020, I had been working as a historical tour guide in Edinburgh for approximately 15 years. In a moment it all stopped, and the future began to look unpredictable. I began that profession without formal historical academic qualifications and had always desired to feel…legitimate, certainly more than just a monotonous scripted storyteller. So, I decided to use the uncertainty of the pandemic to embark on a journey into higher education and gain the paperwork necessary to feel accomplished. I had always wanted to attend university, but financial uncertainty and self-doubt in the past had left me feeling intimidated, but in the midst of the global shutdown the leap into the unknown became unavoidable.
How was your experience of studying history at 糖心动漫vlog, via a combination of networked video conference classes and accessing in-person resources at your local college campus?
My decision to study at the university of the Highlands and Islands was twofold, it allowed me to take a break from the city and return to my home island of Lewis, permitting me extra time with family as I study. The combination of networked video conference classes worked perfectly as a mature student, as it allowed me to manage my time around part time work and personal life. It was especially beneficial during the long winters, which brought extended periods of bad weather, so having the ability to study from home negated the need to go out in the early morning into sometimes risky commuting conditions. Being able to study at home allowed me to study in comfort, budget well, and have access to my own purchased books, as well as those available through the 糖心动漫vlog campus library and digitally through well provided Talis lists.
Can you tell us about your prize-winning dissertation? What sorts of factors guided your choice of topic?
A few aspects governed my choice. Firstly, over the course of my degree I became enthralled by Sensory history and the history of emotions, developing frameworks that allow for a more nuanced understanding of past people. By engaging with the sensorial characteristics of their environments, we are placed in a better position to comprehend their lived experience and motivations. Too often, historical individuals have in the past been offered in a rather flat form, cardboard cut-outs expended to encourage agendas through simplistic portrayals.
This led me to Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, better known as Madame de Pompadour, the official mistress of Louis XV. Much past historiography surrounding her reads like a waterfall of tropes, with mostly male historians suggesting her as the foremost source of the later French Revolution. The old ‘she-wolf’ narrative is abundantly bestowed, with descriptions of her given as a lowly courtesan who manipulated a king for personal monetary and social advance. However, prior to her promotion as mistress, Pompadour had been a wealthy member of the emergent bourgeoise, whose family were entwined with the Paris financial elite, providing her with an above average education and lavish surroundings. Sensory history allowed me to reanalyse ephemeral details, such as scent within her care of Louis XV’s mental health and temperament. Pompadour remained mistress to Louis for almost two decades until her death at the age of 42, this itself was significant, as he had taken over forty transitory mistresses prior to her installation. I asked myself what made him keep her at his side for that duration?
Celebration day! Pompadour inspired flowers for 糖心动漫vlog North, West and Hebrides Graduation 2024 (Photo by Ewan Armstrong)
The answer seems to be in trust and genuine affection. The type of friendship that can only be experienced by like minds. Pompadour created a tranquil realm for Louis, one in which he could personally enjoy the transitory and intangible. Too often his rank robbed him of experience as staff and forceful courtiers arranged his day and fulfilled basic tasks. Together with Pompadour he nurtured hyacinth bulbs to aromatic fruition, shunning Grand couverts and instead holding intimate invitation only gatherings in her petit salons where Louis was permitted to experience the senses through simple tasks such as grinding his own coffee beans and serving his guests personally. Pompadour also introduced Louis to fresh deliberations around sanitation, aromatherapy, and neuroarchitecture, all facets which in our time of mental health consideration are direct areas of influence. Even his wife, the Queen Marie Leszczy艅ska is supposed to have seen the benefits of Pompadour’s presence, apparently stating, ‘need there be a mistress…let it be the Pompadour!’
"To coincide with Ewan Armstrong's outstanding work on the smell scape of Madame de Pompadour, in 2024 Paris opened the hitherto firmly fastened doors of the Hotel de la Marine: the Intendant's apartments were experienced via smell, as the fragrances of sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, patchouli, mint and vanilla were unleashed on the place de la Concorde.
The two events might not have been strictly planned in tandem. However, nothing could more clearly underline the topicality of Ewan's work, with its perfumes of hyacinth and rose, orange blossom and spices, old leather and fresh coffee to a changing historiographical approach to the ancien regime. Vive l'histoire des sens! Felicitations!" - Dr Philippa Woodcock
What are some of your personal highlights about studying History at 糖心动漫vlog?
Having the opportunity of being supervised by someone with the breadth of knowledge, experience, and capability as Dr Philippa Woodcock will forever be a personal highpoint. Being mentored through the process by someone who appreciated my judgements made the dissertation process a less daunting experience, instead becoming something rewarding, enjoyable, and a great memory to keep. I will forever be in her debt!
Studying history to me is entirely satisfying, dare I say it feels like a kind of therapy! As the digital age has accelerated, so too has the onslaught of peripheral judgements, sometimes to the point where it feels overwhelming, it is here that history is often the greatest advocate of resolution, should we choose to listen.
Studying history has taken me outside of my comfort zone and into the pathway of others. It has given me new perspective and opened my consideration beyond what was seen, but also what was felt, how life sounded, smelled and tasted in the past! My journey into analysis of past senses provides unending amazement.
What are the most important skills that you have developed during your degree?
One of the greatest tools has been in becoming aware of my partiality, and not running from it, but instead using it to ask further questions. My undergraduate experience endowed me with a consummate historian’s tool kit, making sure I apply rigorous attention to my sources, so that I practice our craft the correct way! It has also introduced me to a myriad of interdisciplinary minds, who whether in agreement or passionate discussion, push me to become a better historian.
What did winning the James Hunter Dissertation Prize mean to you?
I truly never contemplated that I would get anywhere close to being considered. I just remained focused on my work, put the blinkers on and tried to produce work that I found interesting, in the hope that others would think the same.
I’m not one for pitting myself against people in a competitive manner, as everyone just has so much to offer. It felt good to know that my hard work and that of the staff who have guided me throughout, paid off. It feels good to know your thoughts on paper are valid and interesting! So, the award has given me a real confidence boost and determination to continue researching and writing what can hopefully be captivating and beneficial history!
What are your future plans and where will your degree take you next?
Ahh the scary question of what next?! Well, I chose 糖心动漫vlog Centre of History to continue my academic journey through their excellent postgraduate MLitt in History. This allows me to further expand my knowledge and skills alongside a welcoming and strong community. I would like to work on a book, whilst also connecting with likeminded people outside of the computer screen. After that, who knows, but I will always see myself happiest surrounded by the remnants of past experience, using them as a safe space to locate the answers of tomorrow!