ONE of Oxford’s leading medieval historians, Maurice Keen, has died aged 78.

Dr Keen, a tutor at Balliol College for 39 years, was best known for his 1984 book Chivalry, for which he received the Wolfson Foundation’s History Prize. Born in London, he was the son of Hugh Keen, who held a senior financial post in Oxford as Keeper of the University Chest. The family lived in Woodstock Road, Oxford.

Dr Keen’s lifelong interest in knights in shining armour began as a boy and was to develop into a serious historical interest at Winchester College, where he won a scholarship and came under the influence of its headmaster, Sir Walter Oakeshott. His studies were interrupted for two years by National Service in the early 1950s when he served as an officer in the Royal Ulster Rifles. Dr Keen then went up to Balliol College, Oxford, becoming a star pupil of celebrated historian R.W. Southern. He was briefly a Prize Fellow at The Queen’s College, Oxford, first winning national attention with his book The Outlaws of Medieval Legend, in which he established himself as an authority on the legend of Robin Hood. He returned to Balliol as a fellow in 1961, serving as Junior Dean, Tutor for Admissions and Vice-Master from 1980 to 1983. Former students included Lord Patten, current Chancellor of Oxford University.

In 1968, Dr Keen married Mary Keegan, whom he met at the age of 12. The pair were to live within a mile of Balliol all their married life. Her brother, John Keegan, a Balliol contemporary of her husband, went on to become a leading military historian and defence editor of The Daily Telegraph. His 1960s books, The Laws of War in the Later Middle Ages and History of Medieval Europe, established Dr Keen’s repuation as a political historian and expert on men-at-arms in the Middle Ages. Over the next two decades he would redefine the way in which the concept of medieval chivalry was viewed. His book England in the Late Middle Ages for years served as a standard work for A-level students.

He was appointed an OBE in 2004, elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities in 1986 and of the British Academy in 1990. He is survived by his wife Mary and three daughters.

A service was held at Balliol College Chapel last Friday prior to cremation at Oxford Crematorium. A memorial service will be held later this year.