Congratulations to Old Elean, Eleanor Wallace, who has graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class BA (Hons) in History!

Not only that but Eleanor has been awarded the Proxime Accessit Gibbs Prize for ranking second highest in her year, and the Joan Thirsk Prize for best Medieval Thesis.

Eleanor, who was at King’s from Nursery right the way through to Year 13, is now studying for an MLitt in Medieval History at the University of St Andrews, where she has been awarded their Lionel Butler Medieval History Scholarship.

Eleanor said: “I am most proud of my dissertation, titled ‘They shall incur that which is ordained in the canon’: Tracing Carolingian influence on the legislation of King Æthelstan, King Edmund, and Archbishop Oda of Canterbury. 

“It engaged with an issue taken for granted by many scholars and sought to elucidate Carolingian influence on Anglo-Saxon law by tracing how it was transmitted. The resultant thesis highlighted the importance of canon law and liturgical materials in transmitting influence, emphasising the role of Archbishop Oda of Canterbury in the authorship of royal law, and postulated an early tenth-century date for the beginnings of Carolingian influence. 

“The final months of my degree were far from plain sailing, losing both my dear Grandma and Grandad in the months surrounding my final exams. I owe an enormous amount to my family, friends, and tutors at Oxford for their support throughout my degree.”

Eleanor achieved three A*s in her A-Levels (History, Religious Studies, and Latin) when at King’s, as well as an A* in her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Her sister, Alice, also attended King’s and is now in her third year at Oxford, studying Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.

Eleanor said: “I am indebted to my time at King’s for fostering in me an enthusiasm for learning in general, and History in particular. The school provided an environment in which I grew to love the process of learning, and developed a work ethic where I really wanted to work hard and do well. This was no doubt attributable to the quality of teaching, and the opportunities offered to expand my learning beyond the curriculum.

“Mr Currie’s work in the History Department was central to all of this. I enjoyed learning about different topics at lunchtime History Cafe lectures, developing and discussing ideas at 'An Other Club', and working with him to prepare my EPQ and essays for external competitions, a process which was foundational to University research projects.

"I am excited by the breadth of study offered at St Andrews, and have been enjoying classes in palaeography, Latin, and source criticism. My research will be supervised by Professor John Hudson, analysing how the Liber Eliensis was compiled to advance the lands and rights of Ely Abbey in the twelfth-century, in particular how documentary material is incorporated into the historical narrative to this end.”

Such incredible achievements Eleanor – enjoy St Andrews!