In recent years History has experienced a ‘linguistic turn’ while literary studies have undergone a ‘historical turn’, making this combination of subjects more exciting than ever. Knowledge of the past contextualises literary artefacts, while the forensic literary skills of the linguist are vital for interrogating historical documents. While historians must be aware of genre, plot and rhetorical techniques in the creation both of their sources and their own arguments, linguists need to appreciate the social and political concerns that are woven into literary works. Oxford offers the teaching of history and European languages, leading to a particularly rich environment in terms of staff expertise, library resources, language training and overseas contacts. Undergraduate students have access to the Taylor Institution Library, the biggest research library in Britain devoted to modern languages, as well as the History Faculty Library housed in the Radcliffe Camera. The University’s well-equipped Language Centre has resources specifically tailored to the needs of History and Modern Languages students. Students may combine papers from the two faculties in stimulating ways.