BBC History Magazine’s History Weekend festivals are back for the sixth year this autumn, with the biggest line-ups yet. Set in two idyllic locations across two weekends in October, the show travels first to the medieval city of Winchester and then historic York. Each packed weekend features a diverse range of engaging talks, interactive Q&As and book signings from the world’s leading historians and authors including Michael Wood, Alison Weir, Bernard Cornwell and Lucy Worsley.
BBC History Magazine’s History Weekend returns to Winchester from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th October after last year’s hugely successful event. The magnificent 13th Century Great Hall, which houses a famous replica of King Arthur’s round table and Ashburton Hall, at nearby Elizabeth II Court, will play host to 31 speakers over three days. Among the speakers, historian Alison Weir will be speaking about Jane Seymour in ‘The Haunted Queen’, where she will look at new research to cast fresh light on Henry VIII’s third wife. Meanwhile, acclaimed writer Bernard Cornwell will discuss the history behind his blockbuster historical fiction series The Last Kingdom, set in the dramatic era of King Alfred and the Vikings. Plus, Michael Wood will ask ‘The Trojan War: Myth or History?’, in an engaging survey of fascinating new archaeological and textual evidence for the dramatic conflicts at the end of the Greek Bronze Age.
Dave Musgrove, BBC History Magazine Content Director, says: “We’re incredibly proud of the line-up for this year’s Weekend, and it’s set to be the biggest yet! We’re delighted to be able to bring such a rich mix of speakers together to talk history in all its many forms.”
BBC History Magazine‘s History Weekend also revisits the historic city of York, from Friday 19th– Sunday 21stOctober, with our biggest programme yet. The event features close to 30 talks from leading historians and authors across two beautiful venues – the Yorkshire Museum in the Tempest Anderson Hall and King’s Manor, a stunning collection of Grade I-listed medieval buildings. The York line-up includes bestselling author and historian Tracy Borman, who will examine Henry VIII, England’s most famous monarch, through the eyes of the men who surrounded him. Also on the bill is Helen Castor, who will appraise Elizabeth I’s life and consider how her reign was shaped by profound and enduring insecurity. Meanwhile, Hitler biographer Ian Kershaw will reflect on the fall of the Berlin Wall, through his own memories of one of the key turning points in modern history.
A number of the speakers will be appearing across both weekends, including Helen Castor, Tracy Borman, Alison Weir, Michael Wood and Andrew Roberts.
Also returning for 2018 is History Fringe where, alongside the main lectures series, festival visitors can also enjoy free 15-minute sessions guaranteed to keep you occupied and informed between talks. Taking place throughout the Saturday and Sunday, on both weekends, these mini-lectures are the result of partnerships with the Universities of Winchester and York. A selection of expert scholars will provide educational taster sessions on a broad range of fascinating topics.
See the full line-up for both events, and details of how to buy tickets at www.historyweekend.com or call 0871 620 4021. Subscribers to BBC History Magazine can take advantage of a reduced rate for all ticket options, and there are discounts for visitors buying tickets for both festivals.