RICHARD III SOCIETY
GLOUCESTER (& BRISTOL) BRANCH
Branch Programme 2022
SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY
WARWICK THE KINGMAKER (via Zoom, start time 13:45 for 14:00)
Richard Neville, earl of Warwick and Salisbury was the greatest English magnate of the Later Middle Ages. As heir to four great families and earldoms he was the richest noble in C15th England and dominated the first two phases of the Wars of the Roses. He was the greatest of the “Over- Mighty Subjects” whose career was crammed into a life of just 42 years. The talk will provide a comprehensive appreciation of the achievements and reputation of this key figure.
Illustrated talk by John Reid
SATURDAY 5 MARCH
THE ANGLO-NORMAN ARISTOCRACY: LANDHOLDING, INHERITANCE AND REGIONAL POWER IN ENGLAND AND NORTHERN FRANCE 1066-1265
Many units of inheritance in England and the Welsh March were formed during the Anglo-Norman period including Richard Neville’s earldoms of Warwick, Salisbury and the lordship of Glamorgan together with other lordships in the March, both Yorkist [ e.g. the Mortimer lands ] and Lancastrian together with the Mowbray lordships of Chepstow and Gower. Professor Power will explore this formative period from 1066 until the fall of Simon de Montfort.
Illustrated talk by Professor Daniel Power, Professor of the Medieval History Department of History ,Swansea University
SATURDAY 9 APRIL
MEDIEVAL PILGRIMAGE – FAITH, FUN OR FOLLY ?
Nicholas Orme's lecture will cover pilgrimages of all kinds and for all reasons: piety, seeking health, and enjoyment of travel. He will also consider those who regarded such journeys as foolish and shrines as misleading and how critics finally won when the Reformation came.
Illustrated talk by Emeritus Professor Nicholas Orme
SATURDAY 30 APRIL
TEWKESBURY BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY CONFERENCE
An opportunity for members to attend this full-day conference to mark the 550th anniversary of the battle. Full details will be available later
SUNDAY 1 MAY
TEWKESBURY ANNIVERSARY BATTLEFIELD WALK
We join our colleagues in the TBS for a viewing in Tewkesbury Abbey and a guided walk on the battlefield. Full details will be available later.
SUNDAY 1 AND MONDAY 2 MAY
ARMOUR IN THE ABBEY EXHIBITION, TEWKESBURY ABBEY
Spectacular Armour in the Abbey is a two day event perfect for all the family. See Medieval Life from the court to the kitchens and demonstrations of the skills of the time, including: Medieval archery demonstrations, canon firing, meet Battle Re-enactors and hear Medieval music.
SATURDAY 7 MAY
TBC - our scheduled speaker has had to withdraw from the talk, and we will update the page as soon as a new speaker and topic are confirmed
SATURDAY 28 MAY
STUDY DAY : THE GOLDEN FLEECE : THE WOOL AND CLOTH TRADE IN THE MEDIEVAL COTSWOLDS
A one day conference.
Full details will be available shortly. Tickets now on sale via Eventbrite or through our Branch Secretary.
SATURDAY 9 / SUNDAY 10 JULY
TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL
We join with the TBS to join this famous annual medieval festival event.
Full details will be available later.
SATURDAY 6 AUGUST
SURVIVAL OF THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER [ ZOOM PRESENTATION - start time tbc ]
The murder of the Princes in the Tower is the most famous cold case in British history.
Traditionally considered victims of a ruthless uncle, there are other suspects too often and too easily discounted. There may be no definitive answer, but by delving into the context of their disappearance and the characters of the suspects Matthew Lewis examines the motives and opportunities afresh as well as asking a crucial but often overlooked question: what if there was no murder? What if Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York survived their uncle's reign and even that of their brother-in-law Henry VII?
There are glimpses of their possible survival and compelling evidence to give weight to those glimpses, which is considered alongside the possibility of their deaths to provide a rounded and complete assessment of the most fascinating mystery in history.
an illustrated talk by Matthew Lewis, author and Chair of The Richard III Society
SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
FIELD VISIT : DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED
SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER
BRANCH AGM followed by an illustrated talk by Angela Iliff: THE SUMPTUARY LAWS
An overview of the laws in general with special focus on those introduced during the reign of Edward III.
SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER
RICHARD III, ENGLAND’S NEVILLE KING
An explanation of a view which developed after the Buckingham Rebellion ?
Illustrated talk by Stephen David
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS GATHERING [ ZOOM PRESENTATION ]
Full details to follow.
PLEASE NOTE : ALL LIVE MEETINGS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, WILL BE HELD AT THE EMMANUEL HALL, FAIRFIELD PARADE, LECKHAMPTON, GL53 7PJ
Meetings commence at 2:30 pm with the exception of field visits which are by arrangement, and Zoom presentations. For meetings where there is an outside speaker a charge of £4 will be made to offset costs [ £6 for non-Branch members ]. When there is no visiting speaker fee there will be a general charge of £1 per person, again, to offset cost.