Medieval England - A Day of Talks

Come join us at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday 15 March for a day filled with fascinating discussions about the Medieval England. Our lineup of speakers will cover a range of topics, from invasions to revolts to toilets!

Immerse yourself in the rich history of this period as our experts bring it to life through engaging presentations and Q&A sessions. Whether you're a history buff or just curious about the past, this event is sure to captivate and educate.

Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the world of the Medieval England with us. Mark your calendars and get ready for a day of learning and discovery!

10am: Matt Lewis - The Peasants Revolt

The Peasants’ Revolt saw London burn as people desperately sought a better life. Historian Matt Lewis explores the causes, the events, and the aftermath of the first recorded popular revolt in England. The work of the People of 1381 Project is also shedding light on those involved in the uprising, as perpetrators and ass victims.

Through their stories, Matt will ask how close England came to seismic change, and what resonance the story has today.

Matt Lewis is an author and historian of the medieval period, with a particular interest in the Wars of the Roses and Richard III. He has written biographies of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry III, Richard Duke of York, and Richard III, as well as accounts of The Anarchy, the Wars of the Roses, and Rebellion in the Middle Ages.

Follow Matt on Instagram or listen to him on the History Hit's Gone Medieval podcast.

11:15am: Dr Eleanor Parker - Winters in the World: A Journey Through The Anglo-Saxon World

Winters in the World is a beautifully observed journey through the cycle of the year in Anglo-Saxon England, exploring the festivals, customs and traditions linked to the different seasons. Drawing on a wide variety of source material, including poetry, histories and religious literature, Eleanor Parker investigates how Anglo-Saxons felt about the annual passing of the seasons and the profound relationship they saw between human life and the rhythms of nature.

Many of the festivals we celebrate in Britain today have their roots in the Anglo-Saxon period, and this book traces their surprising history, as well as unearthing traditions now long forgotten. It celebrates some of the finest treasures of medieval literature and provides an imaginative connection to the Anglo-Saxon world.

Eleanor Parker is Lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Brasenose College, Oxford. She has a doctorate from the University of Oxford and is a specialist in the literature of medieval England and Scandinavia. She writes regularly for publications including History Today and BBC History Magazine, and is the author of Dragon Lords: The History and Legends of Viking England (2018) and Conquered: The Last Children of Anglo-Saxon England (2022).

12.30pm: Lunch Break

1.45pm: Dr James Wright - Going to the Toilet in Mediaeval London

Going to the toilet is an everyday event for literally everyone that has ever lived. However, there has been a prudish reticence among architectural specialists to research and present the archaeology of this apparently ordinary practice. Despite this, there is a wealth of data which can be drawn upon to explain the latrinal habits of Londoners in the mediaeval period. This data is not just limited to the functional – Where in the building were the privies located? What did they look like? How they were kept clean? There are a whole host of other considerations: What were the mediaeval attitudes towards going to the toilet? Who was allowed to access the garderobe? What were the social implications of doing so? How were privies used to promote notions of elite prestige? This talk will plumb all of these depths…

James Wright (Triskele Heritage), is an award winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the mediaeval period. He is the author of the popular Mediaeval Mythbusting Blog and his book Historic Building Mythbusting will be released via The History Press in June 2024.

James is on Instagram and his website is Triskele Heritage.

3.00pm: Dr Marc Morris - The Norman Conquest: Why Did It Matter?

1066 is the most famous date in English history. Everyone remembers the story, depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, of William the Conqueror's successful invasion, and poor King Harold being felled by an arrow in the eye. But why do we remember 1066 above all other dates, and why do the events of that year matter so much?

Dr Marc Morris is an historian who specializes in the Middle Ages. He is the author of numerous books about medieval England, including the bestselling The Norman Conquest (Hutchinson 2012) and critically acclaimed biographies of Edward I and King John. His most recent book, The Anglo Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England (Hutchinson, 2021) was as Sunday Times bestseller which received widespread praise from the likes of Dan Snow, Ian Hislop, Bernard Cornwell and James O’Brien. His books are translated into Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Polish.

Marc presented the highly acclaimed six-part series Castle for Channel 4 and wrote its accompanying book (now published in paperback by Hutchinson). He has also contributed to many television programmes, radio shows and podcasts. He has recently consulted on history series for BBC1 and Channel 5, and writes regularly for History Today and BBC History Magazine.

A fellow of Royal Historical Society and an honorary fellow of the Historical Association, Marc speaks regularly to schools, historical societies and literary festivals.

Information

This event will take place in the Cathedral Library with doors opening at 9.45am, this event is in-person only and won't be streamed or recorded.

There will be a lunch break at approx 12.30pm which is not included in the price. Please visit the Cathedral cafe or alternatively we are located next to Borough Market.

Publications written by our speakers will be available to purchase on the day.

If you have any access requirements please contact Emily Thorne at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Southwark Cathedral