As a thank you for your ongoing support, we are delighted to run more virtual lectures this winter. Our historians, experts and volunteers will discuss topics including influences from Roman Gaul at Wroxeter and making connections at Thornborough Henges.
Missed a lecture? Fear not, you can watch them all again, as well as ones from previous years, using the button below.
These lectures are free and exclusively for Members. However, if you feel you can give something to help give England's heritage a future, we have also included a donation form. Thank you.
Pins, prayers, poems and plantations: castle connections
Dr William Wyeth, Properties Historian
Wednesday 18 December 2024, 6pm–7pm
A ruined castle is a glorious thing. But can it also be strange? Can it cause a lump in the throat, or prompt sympathetic frustration across six centuries? Can we see in it Britain’s colonial and imperial past? Can castles connect us? This talk will venture across space and time to discuss the ways in which castles can dazzle, entertain, unite and inspire.
Will researches castles and castle landscapes and has worked at English Heritage since 2017. Since joining he has contributed to projects at Stokesay, Richmond, Middleham and Warkworth castles, where he researched and wrote new panel text and digital content, and led members’ tours. He is interested in popular and theoretical approaches to understanding medieval buildings and societies.
Book nowReconnecting Hadrian’s Wall: the many cultures of a Community on the Frontier of Empire
Dr Andrew Roberts, Properties Historian
Wednesday 22 January 2025, 6pm–7pm
For almost 300 years, Hadrian’s Wall stretched across the north of Britain, an intimidating part of the frontier of the Roman Empire. A close look at the buildings and objects found by archaeologists reveals that the Wall was a place of cultural connection, of cultures and people from across, and even outside of the Roman empire. The Wall’s social, and particularly its religious life, mixed local rituals with imported Roman traditions, and added those brought by the garrison from as far away as Spain, Romania, and Syria.
With almost ten year’s experience at English Heritage, Andrew has previously been project historian on Chesters Roman Fort, Corbridge Roman Town and Birdoswald Roman Fort – all on Hadrian’s Wall.
Book nowMaking Connections at Thornborough Henges
Christine Clarke, Community Lead Volunteer
Wednesday 26 February 2025, 6pm–7pm
The unique Neolithic triple henges at Thornborough are considered a sacred site set in a wider sacred landscape. Thanks in part to the Pagan community who campaigned for their protection, English Heritage gained Thornborough’s central and south henges in January 2023. The community then strongly pushed for English Heritage to buy their sacred north henge, with the three henges being reunited in January 2024. The Pagan community continues to hold their Beltane and Mabon celebrations there, with some of their members now part of the Thornborough volunteer team. This lecture discusses how the Pagan community and English Heritage work together, and how the sacred is celebrated at the henges today.
Christine Clarke is the Community Lead Volunteer for Thornborough Henges, with long standing connections to Thornborough and part of the Pagan community.
Book nowEmpowering Connections: The women who ran the country house
Dr Megan Leyland, Senior Properties Historian
Wednesday 26 March 2025, 6pm–7pm
We care for several beautiful country houses across England, from the shell of Witley Court in Worcestershire to the Greek revival Belsay Hall in Northumberland.
In their roles as managers, hostesses, and mistresses to communities of servants, women were often the glue which held these vast country homes together. This women’s history month talk will uncover the powerful women at the heart of the country house and the fascinating connections they fostered there.
Megan is a historian specialising in the country house and gender history. In particular, her research has focused on the role of women in shaping the architecture of their homes in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Book nowWatch again
Watch again our past Members' lectures, which saw some of our experts and historians discussing topics including life in medieval castles, Charles Darwin's laboratory, conservation of 16th-century artworks and the Battle of Hastings.
Watch the lectures again
