Harvington History Festival Announces Five-Day Lineup of Leading Experts
The Harvington History Festival is set to return to the West Midlands this July for a captivating five-day event featuring top historians, authors, and broadcasters. Held at the historic moated Elizabethan manor house, Harvington Hall in Worcestershire, the festival promises deep dives into Britain's rich history with a special focus on the turbulent Tudor era.
Revealing New Historical Insights
Sixteen of the United Kingdom's most accomplished historical experts will bring Britain's long history to life through revealing talks and presentations. The program covers everything from royal court scandals and jealousies to the everyday challenges faced by common people, with speakers disclosing newfound details based on rigorous academic research.
Hall manager Phil Downing expressed enthusiasm about the festival's return, stating: "After a completely sold-out event in 2025, we're delighted to present another exceptional lineup of your favorite historians, authors, academics, broadcasters, and specialists in the beautiful setting of Harvington Hall. Their revealing and entertaining insights not only shed new light on our past but also demonstrate how history continues to shape our present day."
Festival Highlights and Schedule
The festival opens on Wednesday, July 22, with several notable presentations. Dr. Elizabeth Norton will present "Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarch" at 11:00 AM, exploring the compelling stories of female rulers throughout history. At 1:30 PM, Dr. Eleanor Barraclough reveals "Hidden Histories of the Viking Age," followed by Professor David Woodman's 4:00 PM presentation celebrating the 1100th anniversary of the birth of Æthelstan, recognized as the first King of England.
The evening continues at 6:30 PM with Matt Lewis outlining "Medieval Power Couple Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine: Founding a Dynasty." Thursday's program features Dr. Miranda Kaufmann discussing the remarkable stories of forgotten Africans who lived freely in Tudor England, transforming our understanding of this intriguing historical period.
Royal Revelations and Everyday Lives
The UK's top-selling female historian Alison Weir appears to expose the startling secret of Kate Carey, cousin of Elizabeth I and daughter of Mary Boleyn, who witnessed her aunt's execution by Henry VIII. On Friday, Dr. Nicola Tallis reports how Lettice Knollys' secret marriage to the Queen's former suitor, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, led to her banishment from court.
On Sunday, National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator Dr. Charlotte Bolland traces how Elizabeth I cleverly used portraiture to shape her public image and political power. The festival also explores beyond royalty and the upper classes, with Professor Steven Gunn presenting on Saturday about his research into thousands of coroners' inquest reports that highlight the daily lives and sudden deaths of ordinary people.
Professor Gunn's talk reveals the life-threatening dangers posed by everyday activities in historical times, including risks associated with fruit trees, fetching water, ice bowls, and even bears. This presentation provides a fascinating glimpse into the hazards of daily life for common people throughout history.
Musical Performance and Practical Details
Adding musical dimension to the historical experience, vocal ensemble Apollo 5 will perform on Saturday, July 25, using their voices and harmonies to transport audiences back in time through period-appropriate music. The festival runs from Wednesday, July 22, through Sunday, July 26, with individual event tickets priced at £12 per session.
Harvington Hall, located on Harvington Hall Lane in Harvington near Kidderminster, Worcestershire, provides the perfect historical setting for this immersive exploration of Britain's past. The festival represents a significant cultural event for history enthusiasts throughout the West Midlands region and beyond.
