RICHARD III SOCIETY
GLOUCESTER (& BRISTOL) BRANCH
Branch Programme 2023
SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY
THE FASCINATION OF HERALDRY
[ZOOM PRESENTATION - start at 13:45 for 14:00]
tickets are available online via the link below, or by arrangement with our branch treasurer Angela Illiff at ardiliff@gmail.com)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-fascination-of-heraldry-by-hugh-wood-tickets-502625314847
Learn to read a coat of arms – an entertaining talk exploring the mysterious world of quarterings, differences, marshalling, cadency and much more.
Illustrated talk by Hugh Wood [Chairman of the Mortimer History Society]
SATURDAY 4 MARCH
MEDIEVAL GLOUCESTER
During the Middle Ages Gloucester’s strategic position at the lowest site on the Severn where the river was bridged ensured a role in national affairs; it was a place where kings might temporarily establish their court and government, where armies were mustered for campaigns in Wales, and where in times of civil strife dissident barons sought to secure a military base. While such events evolved the town pursued its function as a centre of trade, communications and administration in a region which extended over north Gloucestershire and parts of adjoining counties.
Illustrated talk by Nicholas Herbert [ ex Editor of the Victoria County History of Gloucestershire]
SATURDAY 1 APRIL
MEDIEVAL FONTS IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHURCHES
Gloucestershire's churches have good examples of medieval baptismal fonts from the Anglo-Saxon period to the early 16th century. This talk will focus on the best of them, tracing the changes in their shape and form over time, and looking in particular at their often elaborate
decoration.
Illustrated talk by Dr Steven Blake, Chair of the Gloucestershire Local History Association
(the originally planned talk on THE COTSWOLDS DURING THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Tim Porter has been postponed)
SAT 6 & SUN 7 MAY
TEWKESBURY BATTLEFIELD CONFERENCE : CANCELLED
This event has been postponed due to the clash with the Coronation of King Charles III. We will be scheduiling an alternative event for May.
SUNDAY 21ST MAY
BATTLE OF NIBLEY GREEN - Battlefield Walk
The battle is reputed to be the last private battle fought on English soil. On the 20th March 1470 two private armies clashed – one led by William Lord Berkeley and the other by Thomas Talbot, Viscount Lisle, in a dispute over the Berkeley inheritance. We will walk the field and afterwards look around St Martin’s Church where the dead from the battle were buried and the Lady Chapel reputedly built by William Berkeley by way of atonement for those killed in the conflict.
Meet at St. Martin’s Church, North Nibley at 11 am. The walk is under a mile in distance and will be taken at a gentle pace. We're advised that lunch may be available at The Black Horse
[ 01453 453895 ] inthe village after the walk. The walk and church visit should be finished in time for lunch starting at 1.30pm; the pub will shut at 4.00pm.
led by Richard Goddard
SATURDAY 3 JUNE
THE BATTLE OF TOWTON
Fought in a snowstorm on Palm Sunday 1461 the Battle of Towton was both the
largest and bloodiest conflict fought on home soil in England’s history.
Illustrated talk by David Berendt [Chairman Towton Battlefield Society]
SAT 8 & SUN 9 JULY
TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL
We participate in this superb annual event with our friends from the Tewkesbury
Battlefield Society.
Full details will be available later
SATURDAY 5 AUGUST
[ZOOM PRESENTATION - start at 13:45 for 14:00]
tickets are available online via the link to Eventbrite below, or by arrangement with our branch treasurer Angela Illiff at ardiliff@gmail.com
QUEEN’S LANDS: DOWER AND THE LANGUAGE OF PROPERTY GRANT
A key aspect of a queen’s power was drawn from her ability to control money. For a consort to fulfil her expected duties she needed access to steady income. Queens drew income from numerous sources including grants, customs, and wardships but the largest source of revenue for a queen was often the lands granted to her by the king. These estates provided a continuous source of revenue to the queen whilst also enabling her to develop her political position at court.
Through analysis of surviving grants and administrative documents, it will be possible to address the complexities surrounding the granting of properties to queens, and how this reflects the changing of queenly landholding across the late medieval period.
Katia Wright has recently published a chapter discussing the fluctuations of medieval queenly dower and is currently a core team member of the Queen’s Resources Project. Katia is also the Assistant Curator of the AGC Museum, Winchester.
A talk by Dr Katia Wright, University of Winchester
SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
FIELD VISIT: ST BRIAVELS CASTLE AND CHURCH, FOREST OF DEAN
A guided tour of this moated Norman castle built between 1075-1129. The huge
gatehouse was added by Edward I in 1292. A royal administrative centre for the
Forest of Dean it became a primary location for the manufacture of crossbow quarrels.
St Mary’s church is a fine example of a Transitional Norman cruciform church.
The afternoon will conclude with a cream tea.
Full details will be issued later.
SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER
BRANCH AGM AND TALK BY BRANCH MEMBER [ full details will be available later].
SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER
THE NEGLECTED DUCHESS: ELIZABETH PLANTAGENET AND THE YORKIST RESISTANCE,
AN EXPLORATION OF DYNASTY, GENDER AND POLITICS
The contention in paying attention to the male de la Poles we are ignoring the
wellspring of Yorkist resentment and disappointment.
Illustrated talk by Steve David
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS THEMED TALK
Full details will be available later - we hope to meet live for a talk and 'picnic' lunch.
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 £5 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.