Historians from the University of Winchester are to share their research and knowledge as part of BBC History Magazine’s Winchester History Weekend 2018.
Dr Ellie Woodacre , Senior Lecturer in Early Modern European History, said: “We’re delighted to be back at the BBC History Weekend this year and to be presenting the History Fringe Festival. We’ve got a fantastic selection of talks which really highlights the breadth and diversity of history research at Winchester. The Fringe Festival is also a great way for our PhD students and early career researchers to get their research ‘out there’ to history enthusiasts.”
Four Winchester academics will present talks on medieval queens, the end of the Viking empire, Richard III and Lettice Knollys.
On Saturday 6 October, Dr Ellie Woodacre discusses the challenges that women faced as rulers in the male-dominated political landscape of the Middle Ages. Looking at strong queens and failed female claimants, she will reveal how women came to the throne and what prevented their access to power.
Discussing the end of the Viking empire, Dr Ryan Lavelle , Reader in Early Medieval History, will highlight the impact of the death of king Cnut in 1035. By examining the reactions of his children, two wives and other royal claimants at a time of crisis, Ryan shows what the crisis tells us about the English kingdom at the end of the Viking Age.
The unusually bold aspirations and forward-thinking strategies of Richard III, both in his role of Duke of Gloucester and king of England, are explored by Professor Emeritus Michael Hicks.
On Sunday 7 October, PhD student and author Nicola Tallis will discuss the life of Lettice Knollys, a rival of Elizabeth I. Lettice began the queen’s reign in her favour. However, in 1578 she made a fateful decision and was forced to live with the consequences of this for the rest of her life.
Additionally, Ryan and Ellie will reveal the Anglo-Saxon and royal history of Winchester respectively in two walking tours.
The University of Winchester will also present the Winchester History Fringe, which features a programme of bite-sized talks by University history experts. Each talk lasts fifteen minutes and provides a brief overview of the researcher’s area of expertise. Topics range from medieval spiritual privileges and prophetic animals in early medieval England to the evolution of United Nations peacekeeping and William the Conqueror’s 15 companions.
BBC History Weekend returns to Winchester for its third year on 5-7 October and features 30 diverse and engaging talks, interactive Q&As and book signings from the world’s leading historians and authors, including Michael Wood, Tracy Borman and Guy de la Bédoyère.
Find a full schedule of events and book a place on the BBC History Weekend Website: https://www.historyextra.com/winchester/