SATURDAY 3 MARCH

REPROACHING THE CLERGY : PERSECUTION, SCANDAL AND ACCUSATION IN THE LATE MIDDLE AGES.

The medieval clergy faced a great deal of criticism to the extent that their piety and good works were often ignored.  There were many scandals which were used against them by their enemies, while clerics deployed the deadly weapon of charges of heresy to counter-attack.  Consequently this talk also examines the fourteenth century roots of non-conformity.

Illustrated talk by Carol Southworth

(NB. this talk was cancelled due to extremely inclement weather and is likely to be re-scheduled)

SATURDAY 7 APRIL

A MORTIMER MISCELLANY 

A potpourri of Mortimer related stories

Talk by Hugh Wood of The Mortimer History Society

TUESDAY 13 MARCH

FIELD VISIT : LITTLE MALVERN PRIORY AND ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, LEDBURY.

A guided tour of the priory and church in this full day excursion.

SATURDAY 5  MAY

FIELD VISIT : ST PETER AND ST PAUL’S CHURCH, NORTHLEACH

A whole day visit to Northleach. In the morning we will have an illustrated talk on the history of planned medieval market towns – of which, of course, Northleach is an excellent example. Lunch will be in the Cotswold Discovery Centre which we will have an opportunity to look around. In the afternoon there will be a tour of St Peter and St Paul’s in the company of a local architectural historian.

The visit will be supported by Northleach Historical Society. 

SATURDAY 2 JUNE

THE MORTIMERS – ANCESTORS OF THE HOUSE OF YORK AND THE ORIGINS OF THE WARS OF THE ROSES

Edward IV and Richard III were grandsons of the Mortimers and their father, Richard Duke of York, based his claim to the throne on his Mortimer ancestry. The talk will trace the rise of the Mortimers, subsequent rivalry with the House of Lancaster and how, when the vast Mortimer inheritance passed to Richard Duke of York, this led to the Wars of the Roses.

Illustrated talk by Philip Hume

SATURDAY 7 JULY

FIELD VISIT : ASHPERTON , HEREFORDSHIRE

An afternoon visit to St Bartholomew’s Church where Posy Hill will be giving her talk on “The Traitor’s Arms”. For “travellers” we will include an optional lunch at a nearby pub and a possible nearby late morning optional visit. More details will be available later. 

SATURDAY 4 AUGUST

FIELD VISIT : MEDIEVAL TEWKESBURY AND ABBEY

We will spend the day in the company of John Badham a very experienced town guide. In the morning we will make a short tour of medieval Tewkesbury. After lunch we will spend the afternoon with John exploring the wonderful Tewkesbury Abbey.

SATURDAY 1 SEPT

THE WOMEN IN RICHARD’S LIFE

An overview of those women closest to Richard including his mother, sisters and wife.

Illustrated talk by Dr Joanna Layne-smith

(PLEASE NOTE THIS TALK IS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO AWAITED CONFIRMATION)

SATURDAY 13 OCT

BRANCH AGM followed by a short presentation by Brownwen Fraley on Medieval Church Wall Paintings.

SATURDAY 3 NOV

THE TOWTON CAMPAIGN 

Talk by Stephen David

SATURDAY 1 DEC

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Festive food and drink by way of an informal introduction to the Christmas season. [ NOTE : Midday start ]"

PLEASE NOTE :  ALL MEETINGS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, WILL BE HELD AT THE EMMANUEL HALL, FAIRFIELD PARADE, LECKHAMPTON, GL53 7PJ

Meetings commence at 2.30 pm with the exceptions where noted. As agreed at the AGM, for meetings where there is an outside speakers a charge of £4 will be made to offset costs [ £6 for non-Branch members ].

Programme 2018     updated 3 April 2018.