Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past through its lectures and publications, and speaks for the interests of history and historians. It offers grants to support research training and prizes for historical publications.
Activities & Mission
The Royal Historical Society promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past through its lectures and publications, and speaks for the interests of history and historians. It offers grants to support research training and prizes for historical publications.
Grants
Royal Historical Society makes grants as part of its work.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Total spending (2025)
- £789,698
- Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
- Who it helps
- other defined groups and the general public
- What it supports
- education and training and arts, culture, heritage, or science
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 88% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 260). How is this calculated?
Higher than 61% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 45% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £683,784 | £789,698 | £778,965 | £4,567,062 | £4,402,720 | 5 / 0 |
| 2024 | £610,496 | £669,456 | £659,156 | £4,737,379 | £4,562,713 | 5 / 15 |
| 2023 | £579,957 | £574,529 | £565,463 | £4,506,823 | £4,371,000 | 5 / 0 |
| 2022 | £562,795 | £482,488 | £472,420 | £4,466,750 | £4,337,000 | 4 / 0 |
| 2021 | £506,172 | £427,493 | £417,637 | £4,672,686 | £4,534,000 | 4 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Royal Historical Society
What does Royal Historical Society do?
The Royal Historical Society promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past through its lectures and publications, and speaks for the interests of history and historians. It offers grants to support research training and prizes for historical publications.
How much income did Royal Historical Society report in 2025?
Royal Historical Society reported total income of £684k and reported expenditure of £790k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Royal Historical Society?
Royal Historical Society has a program ratio of 113.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 88% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 260 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Royal Historical Society registered as a charity?
Royal Historical Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22 September 1962 as charity number 206888. It has been registered for 64 years.
Who runs Royal Historical Society?
Royal Historical Society is governed by a board of 17 trustees. The chair of trustees is Professor Lucy Noakes. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Royal Historical Society operate?
Royal Historical Society operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is Royal Historical Society a registered charity?
Yes — Royal Historical Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 206888.
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Registry Information
Other notable Arts charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 2 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated