Lessons in History: Women, Witchcraft & Morality in Scottish History

History Doesn't Repeat. It Rhymes.

I have always struggled with the idea of repeating histories. I find it takes away the agency and experiences of those who lived through very different events, yet chained in similar power structures, and targeted by similar claims to moral superiority. The repetition is in the sound, not the shape.

Together we will chart a course from pre-Christian Scotland to the modern day and look at how those in power held on to it through the persecution of women, immigrants and the peasant/working classes.

Part 1 will cover:

Introduction: Evil, Sin and Power

What is evil? Is it my fault? Did I sacrifice the wrong goat? Who are these Christian fellas? Did I not pray hard enough? Is the plague my fault? Was I coveting too much? Was I not coveting enough? What's with all this purgatory business?

Get thee to a Nunnery - Sex, Work and Shame in Medieval Scotland

Wife or nun? Are those my only options? No! The butchers, the bakers and the cucking* stool makers of medieval Scotland. [*not to be confused with a cuckhold chair. But I suppose chairs can have many uses.]

The World Vs. Mary, Queen of Scots

She's your messiest friend, an accomplished Drag King and my favourite - Marie Stuart. How was she viewed in her own time? How is she viewed now? Did she really dress in male drag and blow up her second husband?

It's a Witch Hunt!

Now we've got tangible people to blame for misfortune. Fantastic. What is a witch though? Who is a witch? You saw Goody Cuthbert doing WHAT with the devil? And what were you doing there? Was she #girlboss? Would she be addicted to #WitchTok? And what's going on with all our present day witch hunts?

Part 2 will cover:

Sex Work in Industrial Revolution Glasgow - The Thief, the Prostitute and the Gay House

Whether Irish Catholic or Glaswegian Protestant, women in Industrial Revolution Glasgow had one thing in common - being a woman. From Duke Street Pr*son to the Lock Hospital, from the tenement to the poorhouse, from sex worker to factory worker, this is the biggest portion of the talk and the result of over a year of research through court records, police records, census data, valuation rolls, and newspapers.

Info: You can arrive any time between 11:30am and 12pm. Take time for coffee and a chat before the talk begins.

Info: The talk will begin at 12:00 sharp.

Info: Stretch your legs, have a cup of tea, or the perfect time for an Irish goodbye.

Info: 1pm SHARP.

Info: Please come prepped with questions. It's very awkward when you set time for questions and everyone shuffles in their seat. If you're worried about sounding daft, DON'T! Some of the best questions are the ones that sound daft.

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Host or Publisher Andy Cuthbertson