Dr Andrew Lacey 

Course Tutor, for Undergraduate Certificate in History 

Why should people study your subject? 

History is interesting and exciting in itself. Imagine seeing the Spanish Armada, a two-mile crescent of ships, sailing along the south coast of England. Imagine being present at the execution of Charles I in Whitehall in January 1649. Imagine meeting and shaking hands with Hitler in the 1930s – this was the experience of a student who was on a course I presented at Madingley some years ago. On a more abstract level, why did we hide under our desks at school during nuclear warning exercises? Why has Russia attacked Ukraine? Why do the Arab States hate the State of Israel? Why did Britain vote to leave the EU? One cannot begin to answer these questions and many others without a knowledge of history. 

What is your academic or professional background? 

I have a postgraduate degree in Library and Information Studies and a doctorate from the University of Leicester which I received in 1999. From 1988, I held posts as a professional librarian in a variety of Colleges and Universities including College Librarian at Trinity Hall Cambridge, Special Collections Librarian at the University of Leicester and in the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Architecture and History of Art. I have been teaching in adult education since the late 1980s. 

How is your subject relevant to our current world? 

As Churchill said, ‘Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ Others from Cicero to Santayana have made similar observations. Although it’s not a maxim humankind ever seems to remember in practice!  

What do you love about your subject? 

I love the way in which throughout history people get themselves into all sorts of messes and how they try and get out of them.  

What books have you published? 

I have published many articles and essays and the books I have published are as follows: The Second Spring in Charnwood Forest (1983), The Cult of King Charles the Martyr (2003) and, most recently, The English Civil War in 100 facts (2017). 

Who or what has inspired you? 

My year three tutor on the undergraduate history course back in 1983 who first introduced me to the English Civil War is one who inspired me.  

What is the most rewarding part of teaching? 

The interaction with students. I’ve always enjoyed the aspect of Continuing Education where students are not just there to pass tests and exams but to further their interests and they often bring their life experience to the course and the group.   

What is the best study advice you have ever given? 

Read, read, read! Then, once you are done... Reflect, reflect, reflect! 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

Sleep.