Highlights of the History Weekend in York

For our fourth weekend in York, you will be able to experience more than 3,000 years of history in a range of talks that covers everything from ancient Egypt to the end of the Cold War.

One of our speakers who needs little introduction is Ian Kershaw (right), the historian whose two-part biography of Hitler remains the defining work on the Nazi leader. He will be headlining on the Friday night, with a very personal take on another dramatic moment in German history: the fall of the Berlin Wall. A second speaker who will be familiar to many of you is Andrew Roberts (left), whose forthcoming major new life of Winston Churchill forms the basis of his talk.

This year has witnessed the centenary of some women being granted the vote in Britain and two of our speakers at York will be offering their perspectives on the history of the suffrage campaign.

Diane Atkinson will be delving into the dramatic lives of the suffragettes, while Fern Riddell (right) will argue that some of their number crossed the line into terrorism.

The city of York is of course infused with history and many of our speakers will be exploring topics of particular relevance to the setting. In her talk to open proceedings, Emma Wells will reveal some of the secrets of the creation of one of Britain’s greatest cathedrals: York Minster. And then the Vikings, who are so intertwined with York’s past, will be covered in depth through talks by

Levi Roach, Max Adams and Pragya Vohra (left). With other highlights including Helen Castor on Elizabeth I’s inner psyche, Alison Weir on Jane Seymour and Gale Owen-Crocker (right) on the Bayeux Tapestry, there is plenty for you to get excited about at our 2018 York History Weekend.