Anglo-Saxons: Myth and Reality
With Marc Morris
Ever since the Norman Conquest, the English have looked back to the Anglo-Saxon era with nostalgia. As a result, the period between 450 and 1066, when England first came into being, has always tended to be regarded as a golden age. It’s kings were elected and its Church was more pristine. Women had better rights than they did later, and people in general enjoyed greater freedom. But how much of this is true, and how much of it is the product of wishful thinking? In this talk, historian Marc Morris examines the history behind these and other claims, sifts the contemporary evidence, and asks whether the reality bears any resemblance to the legend.
Witchcraft in Wessex (1650 – 1700)
With Tony McAleavy
The West Country was notoriously superstitious in the late seventeenth century and was the last area in England where women were routinely put to death for witchcraft. The death of the ‘witches’ of Bideford in Devon in 1682 is the final definite instance of execution for witchcraft in England. The hanging of the Malmesbury ‘witches’ in 1672 was part of this wider story of Wessex as the last stronghold for belief in the need to punish with death those accused of witchcraft.
Drawing on the research from his new book, The Last Witch Craze, Tony will discuss the persecution of ‘witches’ in Wessex during the period 1650-1700. He will explore the importance of the case of Anne Bodenham, the so-called ‘Witch of Salisbury’, who was hanged in 1653. He will consider the prosecution of the ‘witches’ of rural Somerset in the 1650s and 1660s and the pivotal role of the Bath witchfinder, Joseph Glanvill. Tony will conclude with a discussion of how witchcraft in Wessex directly influenced the decision by powerful people in Salem in New England to root out those suspected of witchcraft.
Malmesbury Myths, Magic and Legends
Guided walk with Campbell Ritchie
A fascinating walk around Malmesbury to uncover hidden tales of old.
Archives, Bird’s Eye Map and Maces
See the historic archives of the Malmesbury Warden and Freemen, beautiful maces and the original birds’ eye view of Malmesbury .
Dreams, Riddles, Charms, Visions:
A creative writing workshop inspired by the poetry of the Middle Ages
Join acclaimed poet and teacher Lesley Saunders for a workshop exploring some of the poetry of the Middle Ages, and how – in the words of poet Eavan Boland – it ‘now seems urgent, contemporary and necessary’. Be inspired by the dream-worlds, riddles, charms and romance of some well-known and lesser-known mediaeval writers, and take part in some exercises to develop your own thoughts and ideas. Bring something to write on and with. Tickets are only available online.
Lesley loves reading, writing and performing poetry. She is an experienced educational researcher and a published poet – you can follow the links on www.lesleysaunders.org.uk to find out about her work in education, to read her poetry, and to get details of her publications and projects.
Wessex Words
With Tony Burke, John O’Brien and Lesley Saunders
Join Tony, John, and Lesley for an evening of readings – funny, serious, light-hearted, romantic, dramatic – inspired by Wessex, its history and its mythology.
From curious Anglo-Saxon charms and riddles to the sparkling prose of Jane Austen, from the heartfelt poetry of Thomas Hardy to the dark thoughts of Thomas Hobbes, and from epic to haiku, we invite you to discover new writers and to hear again some of the well-loved ones.
Tony Burke
I have lived in Malmesbury for I8 years and Wiltshire for nearly 40. I have been very happily retired for the past twelve years and have particularly enjoyed the opportunity this has given me to travel extensively. Prior to that, I worked in education in a variety of roles and latterly, as head of a centre for students with behavioral difficulties. I’ve always enjoyed reading the literature and poems that relate to the places I have lived in and visited and welcome the opportunity to share some of my favourites from Wessex.
Lesley Saunders
Lesley loves reading, writing and performing poetry, and is delighted to be in the company of two such experienced performers! She is an experienced educational researcher and a published poet – you can follow the links on www.lesleysaunders.org.uk to find out about her work in education, to read her poetry, and to get details of her publications and projects.
John O’Brien
John grew up by the sea and moved to Wiltshire in 1976 when he became a teacher and taught Drama here in Malmesbury, then in Chippenham and finally in Bradford on Avon. Now he reads things out loud – occasionally – and likes to sit in cafés, with a cup of coffee, people watching. He also likes to read, listen to audio books and watch football on the TV.