Programme

Time: 1pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £20.00

Discover the perilous world of the Tudor court with celebrated historian and novelist Alison Weir. This session explores the gripping narrative of The Boleyn Secret, delving into the dangerous secrets and shifting loyalties that defined the era of Henry VIII.

As a leading authority on the Tudor dynasty, Alison brings her unmatched expertise to this discussion, weaving together historical fact and compelling storytelling to reveal the human drama behind one of England's most famous families. Join us for a fascinating look at the intrigue, ambition, and tragedy that haunted the corridors of power.

Time: 2:30pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £18.00

Uncover the secrets of the world's most famous prehistoric monument. This session dives into the archaeology, myths, and landscape of Stonehenge to explore how and why this massive stone circle was constructed. Led by renowned archaeologist and broadcaster Julian Richards, the talk brings a wealth of field experience and insight to one of history's greatest puzzles. Whether you are a seasoned history buff or a curious newcomer, this event offers a compelling look at the ancient people who shaped our landscape and the enduring mysteries they left behind

Time: 4:00pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £15.00

Uncover the relentless ambition and strategic brilliance behind the rise of the Tudor dynasty. This session focuses on Margaret Beaufort, the indomitable matriarch who navigated the treacherous waters of the Wars of the Roses to secure the English throne for her son, Henry VII.



Renowned historian and author Nicola Tallis provides a gripping account of survival and political manoeuvring, exploring the immense risks Margaret took in a world where one wrong move meant death. Drawing on her deep expertise in the 15th century, Nicola offers a fresh, scholarly perspective on a woman whose legacy shaped the course of British history for centuries to come. Join us for a scintillating look at the woman who proved to be the ultimate survivor and kingmaker, transforming the battlefield of the 1400s into the foundation of a legendary royal house.

Time: 7:30pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £20.00

Step into the glittering and dangerous world of the Italian Renaissance to explore the life of Isabella d’Este, the Marchesa of Mantua. Often described as the "First Lady of the Renaissance," Isabella was a woman of immense political power and a patron of the arts whose influence stretched across the great ducal courts of Europe.

Led by acclaimed novelist and historian Sarah Dunant, this session brings the 15th century to life with the vivid detail and narrative flair that has made her a household name. Sarah will delve into the heart of the Italian courts, examining how art and politics collided and how a woman of Isabella’s stature navigated a landscape of shifting alliances and cultural transformation. As a regular broadcaster and expert on the period, Sarah offers a scintillating look at a life of ambition and elegance, perfect for those captivated by beautifully woven historical narratives.

Time: 1pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £12.50

The fate of the Princes in the Tower remains one of history’s most enduring and hotly debated mysteries. Traditionally, the story ends with their murder at the hands of their uncle, Richard III. However, historian and History Hit presenter Matt Lewis invites you to examine a more radical possibility: what if they weren't murdered at all?

As the co-host of the Gone Medieval podcast, Matt brings his deep expertise of the 15th century to the stage, challenging Shakespearean myths and offering a fresh perspective on a cold case that has fascinated the world for over five centuries.

Time: 2:30pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £15.00

Uncover the reality behind the legends of the Norsemen who once terrorised and transformed the British Isles. This session explores the dual nature of the Vikings—not just as fierce raiders and warriors, but as sophisticated traders, explorers, and settlers whose influence is still woven into the fabric of our language and landscape today.

Led by historian R.A.J. Waddingham, the talk delves into the strategic brilliance of the Viking Age, examining how their seafaring technology allowed them to dominate the northern world.

Time: 4pm

Venue: Watson Hall

Cost: £15.00

Learn about the complex and often misunderstood history of the medieval religious military orders. This session focuses on the rise and fall of the Knights Hospitaller, examining their dual role as devout monks and elite warriors who became some of the most powerful players in the medieval world.

Led by historian Dr Rory MacLellan, an expert in the Crusades and the Hospitallers, the talk strips away the modern myths to reveal the historical reality of faith, warfare, and international finance in the Middle Ages. Rory brings his extensive research to life, exploring how these orders operated across Europe and the Holy Land and why their legacy continues to fascinate us centuries later.

Time: 7:30pm

Venue: Watson Hall

Cost: £20.00

Enjoy a whirlwind journey through the centuries with this innovative exploration of the English story. This session decodes our national DNA by highlighting the quirks, defining moments, and major turning points that have shaped the country from the medieval period to the modern era.

Led by the celebrated Dr Ian Mortimer, a master of making social history feel immediate and tangible, the talk focuses on the lived experience of the past. Renowned for his Time Traveller’s Guides, Ian brings his trademark wit and scholarly depth to the stage, moving beyond simple dates and kings to explore how ordinary lives were transformed by extraordinary events. As one of our headline events, this evening promises to change how you view the landscape of Britain's long and varied history, offering a provocative and enlightening look at the foundations of our society.

Time: 11am

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £20.00

The fate of the Princes in the Tower remains one of history’s most enduring and hotly debated mysteries. Traditionally, the story ends with their murder at the hands of their uncle, Richard III. However, historian and History Hit presenter Matt Lewis invites you to examine a more radical possibility: what if they weren't murdered at all?

As the co-host of the Gone Medieval podcast, Matt brings his deep expertise of the 15th century to the stage, challenging Shakespearean myths and offering a fresh perspective on a cold case that has fascinated the world for over five centuries.

Time: 1pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £15.00

Every house has a story to tell, but how do you begin to unlock the secrets hidden within its walls? This session takes you on a journey through the archives to discover the social history of the buildings we inhabit. The session is led by leading house historian Melanie Backe-Hansen, the research consultant for the BBC’s A House Through Time and author of Historic Streets and Squares. Melanie will share expert tips on navigating key sources and archive materials, while revealing some of the most fascinating and unexpected stories she has uncovered throughout her career.

Time: 2:30pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £12.50

Discover the extraordinary and often overlooked story of how textiles have woven the fabric of human civilisation. From the silken dragon robes of Imperial China to the high-tech space suits that allowed us to walk on the moon, fabric has been a silent witness and a driving force behind global trade, social status, and technological survival. This session, led by acclaimed author and journalist Kassia St Clair, explores the fascinating narratives found in her best-selling book The Golden Thread.

Time: 4pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £20.00

Owain Glyndŵr is one of the most revered and misunderstood figures in Welsh and British history. A national hero to many and a rebel to others, Glyndŵr’s vision for an independent Wales sparked one of the most explosive uprisings against the English crown in the early 15th century.



But who was the man behind the legend? As a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a leading expert on the Tudor period, Nathen brings passion and deep archival knowledge to the stage. He sets the context for Owain: born into a conquered Wales, yet with an English wife and having fought on the side of the English crown. So how does Owain come to be regarded as the father of Welsh nationalism and the leader a disunited group of former Welsh kingdoms have been searching for?

Time: 7:30pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £20.00

Prepare for a frank, witty, and unapologetically honest journey through the social history of the female body. This session strips away centuries of stigma and misconception to explore how society has viewed, policed, and misunderstood the female anatomy throughout the ages.



Led by the brilliant Dr Kate Lister, a historian at Leeds Trinity University and the creator of the world-renowned Whores of Yore project, this talk is a masterclass in uncovering the deliberately hidden parts of the female past. Kate brings her trademark humour and academic rigour to a subject that is often whispered about but rarely discussed with such refreshing clarity.

Time: 1pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £15.00

From Cleopatra to Catherine the Great, Boudicca to Elizabeth I, ancient Japan to 19th century Madagascar, female kings have always been a rarity, an oddity, or an undesirable outcome. In almost all places on the globe a male ruler was preferred to a woman, with female inheritance vanishingly rare and frequently disputed. In spite of this, women have secured crowns - or fought for them - over several millennia. Acclaimed historian Elizabeth Norton tells the scintillating story of the female kings: women who risked everything, sometimes unwillingly, to find a place in a man's world.

Time: 2:30pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £15.00

The Wars of the Roses was not just a conflict of soldiers and battlefields, but a chess match played by the most formidable women of the 15th century. At the centre of it all stood Cecily Neville—Duchess of York, mother to two kings.

In this session, we delve into the life of a woman who was the architect of the Yorkist dynasty and a survivor of the most turbulent era in English history. Led by acclaimed historical novelist Annie Garthwaite, this event explores the research and passion behind her celebrated novel The King’s Mother.

Time: 4pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £12.50

Dr Daisy Dixon, author of Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art, presents a journey through some of the most volatile and contentious works of art ever produced throughout history - from prehistoric sculpture to extreme metal music, Renaissance paintings to videogames - revealing how beautiful art can sometimes be the most insidious, and why the greatest threat might lie in our own judgements about the art we censor or condemn.

Time: 6pm

Venue: The Watson Hall

Cost: £22.50

Persecuted, prosecuted, and executed: witchcraft beliefs have been around for thousands of years, but at one moment in history witches were perceived to be especially dangerous. In Europe between 1450 and 1750, large numbers of people were executed for being witches.

Led by the brilliant Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, an award-winning historian, author, and broadcaster, this talk brings the past to life with unparalleled clarity and wit. As the host of the Not Just the Tudors podcast and a regular face on TV, Suzannah is a master at uncovering the human stories behind the grand historical records. In this talk, she delves into the complexities of power and gender, examining just why this happened.