Historic Building Mythbusting - Uncovering Folklore, History & Archaeology

Go to any medieval building in the land and there will be interesting, exciting and romantic stories presented to the visitor. These include secret passages linking ancient buildings, spiral staircases in castles giving advantage to right-handed defenders, ship timbers used in the construction of buildings, blocked doors in churches which are thought to keep the Devil out, and claims to be the oldest pub in the country. Such tales are commonly believed and widely repeated; but are they really true? This talk will investigate the stories, offer evidence for and against, and attempt to understand the underlying development and meaning of the folklore of ancient buildings.

Dr James Wright FSA is a buildings archaeologist who specialises in medieval and early modern architecture. Since 2016 he has run the Triskele Heritage built environment consultancy which is based in Nottingham.

This lecture will be available in person at Dagnall Street Baptist Church and online via Zoom. Attendance is free to members; £5 for non-members. Please click on the button above right, and register your option. You will then receive confirmation of your registration by email return. Registration closes at 3.30pm on Tuesday 8 October.

All those registered will be emailed the Zoom joining instructions by 4pm on the day of the lecture. If you have not received this by 5pm, please contact us using the email address below. NB. If you are registering two or more members to attend via Zoom, and want each of them to receive the link in their own email inbox, these details need to be entered at registration.

If you have any questions, please email Gill Girdziusz via [email protected]

Picture above: Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham, which claims to be the oldest pub in England (Historic England)

Host or Publisher SAHAAS Events Team