Thank you to those who have previously supported the Martyr Worthy Lecture Series and we hope that you will be keen to join us for an exciting 2023/24 programme with four excellent speakers.  New this year is an easy online booking system.  Tickets £25 available here BUY TICKETS for all four lectures.

The new Martyr Worthy Lecture Series begins on Tuesday 28th November 2023 when the award winning author and historian, Jessie Childs, described by Hilary Mantel as a ‘brilliant speaker as well as a writer’ will be talking about her book, The Siege of Loyalty House, a new history of the English Civil War, through the story of the siege of Basing House 1643-45.

There will be three further lectures in the series:

Behind the scenes in the Palace of Westminster on Friday 12th January 2024, by Lieutenant General David Leakey CMG, CVO, CBE

David Leakey, Black Rod 2011-2017, shares humorous insights on Black Rod’s role, including at the State Opening of Parliament, and an insider’s view of what goes on in the political and Parliamentary corridors.

Fame & Obscurity, Queen Victoria’s two favourite court artists on Friday 2nd February 2024 by Dr. John Davies

Queen Victoria loved her pets, and of the painters who depicted them, two became her favourites.  Why has Landseer’s fame survived whilst Burton Barber’s name has been lost in obscurity?

A Showplace Royall: guns, bombs and excitements at the Tower on Friday 16th February 2024 by Dr. Edward Impey

The Tower of London’s centuries of stories brought to life.  The arsenal at the Tower of London was an important part of England’s military organisation for centuries, managed by precursors of the Royal Armouries Museum.  As such, it is Britain’s oldest museum.  Edward Impey was Master and Director General of the Armouries 2013-2022.

The lectures will again be held in Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall, SO21 1BQ in aid of the four churches of the Itchen Valley Parish. 6.30pm for drinks and canapes (Lectures will last an hour starting at 7.15pm).  Tickets £25 available online here BUY TICKETS for all four lectures or scan the QR code at the bottom of this email.

We very much look forward to welcoming you again.

The Martyr Worthy Lecture Series 2023/24 has been kindly sponsored by Savills

Enquiries, please email Sophie Parry at martyrworthylectures2023@gmail.com