History Society’s Annual Address 2026
6 February 2026 - Academic
This week, Jemima (LVI) gave the History Society’s inaugural Annual Address to an audience of fifty in Fisher Library including alumnae and the Headmistress, Mrs Duncan. Her lecture focused on the Tang dynasty in China, 618-907CE, a period widely regarded as one of the most remarkable and influential eras in Chinese history. Jemima began by exploring why the Tang Dynasty is often described as a ‘Golden Age’ that restored stability after centuries of division.
She detailed the sophisticated bureaucracy alongside an economic transition from state-managed subsistence agriculture to a market-oriented economy that allowed the period to flourish. Turning to culture, Jemima highlighted the extraordinary literary achievements of the era, particularly its poetry. She introduced the audience to the works of celebrated poets Wang Wei (王维) and Du Fu (杜甫), before discussing Li Bai (李白) and his much-loved poem 静夜思 (Quiet Night Thoughts). She explained how these poems not only showcased refined artistic expression but also offered glimpses into the emotional landscapes, philosophical concerns, and everyday experiences of people living during the Tang dynasty.
The address concluded with an insightful analysis of the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), a devastating conflict that undermined the dynasty’s strength and marked the beginning of its gradual decline. Jemima outlined the long-term political, social, and economic consequences of the rebellion, emphasising how this turning point reshaped the later trajectory of the empire.
Thank you Jemima for your thoughtful and well‑researched presentation.
Mr Edward FitzGerald
Teacher of History
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