The best military history events, lectures, and exhibitions.
Re-enactment:
FORTRESS NEWARK UNDER SIEGE
This major English Civil War event marks the opening of Britain’s new Civil War Centre. The event will take place at several locations within Newark, including the castle, Queen’s Sconce, market place, and the National Civil War Centre itself. The event features the Sealed Knot English Civil War Society and will include living history, parades, skirmishes, and more.
Details:
3-4 May 2015
National Civil War Centre, Appleton Gate, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com
01636 655777
Entry is £7
Workshop:
MAGNA CARTA: SEALING AN AGREEMENT
How did people make agreements in the past? This is a chance for you to come to see the beautiful seals in our collection, explore a famous sealed document, before creating your own seal. This free, hands-on workshop takes place in the Keeper’s Gallery on the ground floor. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the workshop.
Details:
28 May 2015
The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
020 8876 3444
Free Entry
Conference:
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY/IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH
Conference on Internment during the First World War: A Mass Global Phenomenon
Although civilian internment has become associated with the Second World War in popular memory, it has a longer history. The turning point in this history occurred during the First World War when, in the interests of ‘security’ in a situation of total war, the internment of ‘enemy aliens’ became part of state policy for the belligerent states, resulting in the incarceration, displacement, and even murder of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. This pioneering international Conference on internment during the First World War brings together experts from throughout the world to investigate the importance of the conflict for the history of civilian incarceration. The speakers will tackle both government policy and, just as importantly, its impact upon the lives of those individuals who spent time behind barbed wire. The conference is open to all those interested in this neglected aspect of the history of the Great War on a global scale.
Details:
13-14 May 2015
www.dmu.ac.uk/internment
[email protected]
0116 207 8681
Lecture:
THE ARMY & NAVY CLUB COMMEMORATES THE BICENTENARY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO
A series of lectures and a Regency ball will be taking place until June 2015.
Carole Divall, an author, researcher, and historian, will be discussing the inner workings of the 30th Regiment of Foot. Dr Michael Rowe will unravel the individual ‘players at the table’ at The Congress of Vienna and Dr Russ Foster will present a talk based on his latest publication, Wellington and Waterloo: monumental oversights 1815-2015.
Musician and research fellow at Kings College London, Oskar Cox-Jensen, will be exploring the Waterloo experience through the medium of music. The last lecture will see Professor Sir Hew Strachan giving a talk on the strategy and tactics used by Wellington and Blücher.
A Regency Ball will be held to commemorate the ball held by the Duchess of Richmond in 1815, and will feature the Green Ginger Band and the Duke of Wellington’s Dancers.
Details:
Until 17 June 2015
Michael Rowe – 6 May – 6pm
Dr Russ Foster – 21 May – 6pm
Army & Navy Club, 36 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JN
www.ArmyNavyClub.co.uk
[email protected]
020 7930 9721
Lectures – £10 per person
Waterloo Regency Ball – £70 per person
Waterloo Regency Ball + Dance Workshop + Afternoon Tea – £90 per person
Contact Emily Moss – 020 7827 8079 / [email protected]
Exhibition:
BONAPARTE AND THE BRITISH: PRINTS AND PROPAGANDA IN THE AGE OF NAPOLEON
‘Bonaparte and the British: prints and propaganda in the age of Napoleon’ is a free exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of Waterloo, the battle which marked the final undoing of the brilliant French general and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769- 1821). The exhibition will focus on the printed propaganda that either reviled or glorified Napoleon on both sides of the English Channel. It explores how his formidable career coincided with the peak of political satire as an art form.
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history. World-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies are visited by up to six million visitors per year. In addition to the vast permanent collection, the museum’s special exhibitions, displays, and events are all designed to advance understanding of the collection and cultures they represent.
Details:
Until 16 August 2015, 10am–5:30pm, open late on Fridays until 8:30pm
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
www.britishmuseum.org
[email protected]
020 7323 8299
Free
Exhibition:
ROYAL ARMOURIES – WATERLOO 1815 THE ART OF BATTLE EXHIBITION
2015 marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, one of the most significant battles in British and European history. Royal Armouries Leeds will be marking the anniversary with a special exhibition bringing together works of art and arms and armour. Highlights of the exhibition will be the rarely exhibited monumental ‘cartoon’ by Daniel Maclise, on loan from the Royal Academy of Arts, and the magnificent painting ‘Scotland Forever!’ by Lady Elizabeth Butler from Leeds City Art Gallery. These stunning works of art will be displayed for the first time alongside unique objects, on loan and from our own collections, to tell the story of the events of 18 June 1815.
As part of our commemorations we will also be hosting a Study Day on Saturday 13 June 2015 to explore the significance of the battle both today and at the time, and examine the arms and armour used at the battle.
Details:
Exhibition – Friday 22 May – Sunday 23 August
Study Day – Saturday 13 June
Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT
www.royalarmouries.org/home
[email protected]
0113 220 1888
Exhibition – Free Admission
Study Day – £30, or £25 for concessions
Open Evening:
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD – HISTORY
Learn about their part-time Foundation Certificate in History, meet with course directors and admins, learn more about this highly engaging programme and have your questions answered.
Details:
12 May 2015. 6-8pm
University of Oxford
www.conted.ox.ac.uk
[email protected]
Exhibition:
THE WELLINGTON TRUST
The Wellington Trust is continuing with its exhibition to help inform and educate on the role of hospital and troop Ships in WWI. The war was world wide, although many people only seem aware of the horrors of the Western front. Without these Merchant ships, mostly taken up from trade by the Government, we could not have fought the war, let alone returned all those who were wounded back to their homeland, be that in Britain, India , ANZ, or elsewhere.
1/7th of the Allied troops in France came from India, 140,000 labourers were transported from China to dig trenches, carry ammunition, recover bodies from No-Mans-Land etc. In addition to the British troops going to France, Gallipoli, and Mesopotamia, there were millions of horses to be shipped. Nine hospital ships were sunk by mine or torpedo. This spring we especially commemorate the role of the troop and hospital ships in the Gallipoli Campaign, which was the first major joint amphibious landing undertaken by the British, French, and ANZAC Armies. There were no field hospitals and all the wounded had to be evacuated to a hospital ship. Visit our free exhibition to learn more or help with your research.
Details:
Sundays and Mondays 1 March-1 June 2015. 11am-5pm
The Wellington Trust
www.thewellingtontrust.com
[email protected]
020 7836 8179
Free
Exhibition:
WAR MUSIC: NOTES FROM THE FIRST WORLD WAR
In the First World War music was heard on the battlefield, in concert halls, in the camps and in churches. Music reflected and affected all the emotions of war with everything from requiems to rousing choruses. Marking the First World War centenary, this exhibition takes a broad look at the relationship between music and war against the background of radical musical change. Objects on display include a wind-up trench gramophone, a tenor horn camouflaged with black paint to stop it glinting at the enemy, a burnt-out harmonica and soldiers’ song-books. You can also view original film footage of musical episodes amid the conflict, featuring British, German, French and Chinese musicians. ‘War Music’ also explores the Academy’s own story during the War: discover how students and alumni fared once they’d enlisted and left London far behind.
Details:
Until 31 October 2015
Royal Academy of Music Museum, Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5HT
www.ram.ac.uk/war-music
020 7873 7443