Queens, Lepers and Vikings will be brought to life by University of Winchester academics during Heritage Open Days (11-20 September) - England’s largest community led festival of history and culture.
Royalty expert Dr Ellie Woodacre, explores “The Everyday Histories of Queens” through their diaries, accounts, and historical records in a talk at the United Church in Jewry Street, on Saturday, 12 September at 3.30pm.
Ellie looks beyond major historical events to focus on how Queens spent their time, managed their households, interacted with servants and courtiers, and navigated the expectations placed upon them.
Reader in Medieval Archaeology Dr Simon Roffey tells “The Story behind the Door: St Peter’s Church and the Medieval Hospital of St Mary Magdalen”.
Simon explains how a door from a Medieval Leper Hospital (pictured top) ended up at St Peter’s in Jewry Street and shows off some of the finds discovered during the excavations at the hospital on Morn Hill, including a medieval pilgrim’s badge, medieval writing equipment, and a reconstructed head.
There are two chances – 12.30pm and 2pm - to hear Simon’s talk at the Pastoral Centre, St. Peters Church, Jewry Street, on Saturday ,19 September.
Professor in Early Medieval History Ryan Lavelle (pictured above) is offering the public an opportunity to help playtest his forthcoming strategy boardgame set in the late Viking Age.
Players command a group of Vikings raiding Wessex or play as a Saxon ealdorman defending their homeland.
Ryan will introduce players to the game and discuss its historical background.
Sessions take place at Mythic Tabletop Games in Parchment Street from 2pm on Saturday 19 September and the following day.
To book a place at any of these events and to find out about other Heritage Open Day activities follow this link
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