About Wessex Week
Wessex week is organised by a group of volunteers who are passionate about celebrating the history of Malmesbury and Wessex, sharing this with as many people as possible, both local and from further afield.
The Festival in its current form has run since 2016 and occurs every October, in order to commemorate the Wessex-born King Athelstan, first King of all England and grandson of Alfred the Great.
Athelstan died in 939 on October 27 and chose to be buried in Malmesbury Abbey. (The previous Saxon building). The exact location of his body is now unknown and may have been moved during the building of the present Norman Abbey. There is a 15th Century tomb built in his honour, now in the north isle, but this is empty. Both the Abbey and the tomb are visited by many interested in the history, not only of Malmesbury and Wessex, but also of England
During Wessex Week, a range of talks and performances focus in particular, but not exclusively, on the Anglo-Saxon period and the history and culture of Wessex. Eminent historians, writers and broadcasters have featured in our events, alongside excellent speakers and performers from within the Malmesbury community and local area. These have included Michael Wood, Janina Ramirez, Tom Holland and many others.
The programme has developed annually and reaches out into later periods of the area’s fascinating history through walk, talks, concerts, workshops, performances and exhibitions.
Proceeds generated have covered costs of speakers and venue hire, with any profits initially donated to the project to create a statue of King Athelstan in Malmesbury. Local charities, projects and groups have also benefitted from generous donations of speakers fees.
The future: Any profits made from Wessex Week 2023 will be used to promote Malmesbury’s history and support charities engaged in encouraging participation in archaeological digs.