What can the Great Rising of 1381 tell us about modern medical practice?
Date and Venue:
Wed 19 Nov 2025 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Room CSE 016, School of Education, University of Chester Parkgate Rd Chester, CH1 4BJ
Having practised as a forensic psychiatrist for over two decades, in recent years Prof Taj Nathan has broadened his academic interests to encompass historical studies. In this talk, he will share his insights into the different ways the apparently diverse disciplines of medicine and history can complement each other. Using illustrative examples ranging from the fourteenth-century Great Rising to the eighteenth-century publications of the Ordinaries of Newgate, Taj will demonstrate the value of the humanities to modern medical practice.
Professor Rajan (Taj) Nathan MB, BCh, MSt (Oxon), MMedSc, MD, DipFSc, MRCPsych, is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Director of Research (Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) (amongst other things). He has extensive experience of working in a wide variety of forensic and non-forensic mental health settings, particularly in the context of complex mental health problems, personality disorder and autism spectrum disorder. His recent book (2021) Dangerous Minds: A Forensic Psychiatrist’s Quest to Understand Violence received high acclaim. His recent research on the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381 bridges the gap between the Humanities and modern medical practice.
Exton Park is centrally located in Chester, and accessible via the M53, A483, A41, A56, and public transport from the city centre.
Address
University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJThe Greenway Gate, accessible between 7am – 9pm with your University pass, is located at the back of the overflow car park and is the nearest point of access to the Millennium Greenway cycle path that connects to routes throughout the city.
Bache train station is a 15-minute walk from Exton Park and Chester railway station is a 20-minute walk. Arriva 1A and Arriva 1 run frequent services that stop with a short walk to Exton Park. All three Park and Ride routes, PR1, PR2 and PR3 have connections within walking distance to Exton Park.
Parking on campus is limited, so we recommend using public transport and/or walking if possible.