The origins of this book lie in a doctoral thesis defended at the University of Sheffield, later revised at York University, Durham University and the University of Leeds, and prepared for publication at the University of Stirling. The original research would not have been possible without a Hossein Farmy scholarship from the University of Sheffield and I am also grateful for further funding provided by the Royal Historical Society, a Scouloudi award from the Institute of Historical Research and a postdoctoral fellowship at York University. The Division of History, Heritage and Politics at the University of Stirling kindly funded the two maps produced by Cox Cartographic.
Staff at archives and libraries in Asturias, Madrid, Salamanca and Toronto were patient and helpful, even when faced with nebulous descriptions of what I was trying to do. A special mention is due to Councillor Ramón Francisco Velasco Fernández for entrusting me with the key to the municipal archive in Aller and allowing me to peruse documents in the elegant surroundings of the council chambers. The PhD thesis could not have been completed without the generous support of the Lavilla Cañedo family, who provided a welcoming and supportive environment for research and absorbing Asturian culture. Ángela shared the challenges of the doctoral journey, discussed ideas and commented on innumerable drafts.
Many colleagues and friends at Sheffield, York, Durham and Leeds have been a source of encouragement. The postgraduate community at Sheffield provided an excellent environment for testing ideas and sharing the tribulations of postgraduate studies. Colleagues at York were very welcoming of a scholar of Spain from across the pond and Bill Callahan regaled me with fine tales of researching in Spain and Latin America in the 1960s. Participants in the Modern European History seminar at Durham provided detailed and insightful critical comments on a draft chapter as I grappled with reshaping the thesis into a book. Richard Cleminson kindly supported an application for a visiting position at the University of Leeds as the threat loomed of sliding off the greasy pole of academia. Colleagues and friends further afield have also offered support and advice over the years, whether relating to research pertaining to the book or academic life more generally. Thanks in this regard are due to David Ruiz, Julio de la Cueva, Miguel Ángel del Arco Blanco, Hugo García and Stefan Berger.
Two friends in particular have been hugely important not only in the process of writing the book, but also as sources of mutual support as we share the trials and tribulations of forging a career in academia as early career scholars. James Yeoman and I began our doctoral studies on modern Spain at the same time. Our Friday night discussions in the pub were always rich and invigorating and many ideas developed in this book owe much to our debates then and since. Alex Paulin-Booth and I joined Durham as teaching fellows at the same time and she has been a source of support and insight as we share thoughts on the academic world and drafts of work.
Adrian Shubert examined the PhD thesis and has endured not only the burden of writing references for dozens of job and grant applications, but also the spectacle of someone rewriting his own thesis with patience and kindness. Mary Vincent has provided unstinting support from the beginning of my intellectual journey in Spanish history as an undergraduate in her special subject class in 2009. She read my lengthy, ranging texts with a judicious eye and provided insightful comments with a clearer sense of my direction of travel than I ever had myself. She has been a constant source of support since, whether reading drafts of work or providing references and advice on life after the PhD.
For the Royal Historical Society, Penny Summerfield, Heather Shore and Jane Winters patiently stewarded the manuscript towards publication and the staff at the IHR and University of London Press – Emily Morrell and Kerry Whitston in particular – were always efficient in responding to numerous questions on practical matters. I am also grateful to Federico Romero Salvadó and Peter Anderson for taking the time to not only review the manuscript, but to travel to London in order to discuss it with me. Thanks also to Klaus Weinhauer, who kindly commented on the manuscript in its final stages. Rubén Vega provided valuable aid in obtaining the cover image, which has been ceded by the Muséu del Pueblu d’Asturies.
My parents and family have always been supportive – from providing the most mundane and material assistance to moral and emotional support – of their son’s drive to understand the political dynamics of coalfield communities in northern Spain. I blame them for fostering my intellectual curiosity and a love of languages through summer holidays in Europe.
Finally, a special thanks is due to Jane, for her love, encouragement and support as I wrestled the manuscript towards submission. When we met you asked me what a historian actually does. This book is my attempt to answer that question.
Map 1. The provincial division of Spain (map drawn by Cox Cartographic Ltd).
Map 2. Central Asturias, showing municipalities, relevant settlements and major rivers and railways (map drawn by Cox Cartographic Ltd).