Join us at The History Festival at Hever Castle for a captivating journey through one of the most dramatic and transformative periods in history, with your favourite historians and authors. This year, we are exploring Tudor and Stuart history, bringing the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries to life with an exciting programme of talks, Q and A’s, and book signings from an incredible line up of speakers.
The Stolen Crown: Treachery, Deceit and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty
Prof Tracy Borman OBE
In March 1603, Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, lay dying at Richmond Palace. The queen’s ministers clustered round her bedside, urging her to name her successor – something she had stubbornly resisted throughout her reign. Almost with her last breath, she whispered that James VI of Scotland should succeed her. She died shortly afterwards and the throne of England passed peacefully from Tudor to Stuart. Or so we’ve been led to believe. But, in this illustrated talk based on her new book, bestselling author, historian and broadcaster Tracy Borman will reveal the shocking truth behind one of history’s best-kept secrets.
In the weeks and months that followed the demise of the Tudors, history was literally re-written on the orders of the new Stuart dynasty. Newly discovered documents in the British Library even hint that James plotted to have Elizabeth murdered.
And the lie that began James’s rule in England went on to have devastating consequences. The Stuart regime rapidly descended into turbulence and uncertainty, conspiracy and persecution, witchcraft and gunpowder – culminating in the destruction of the monarchy in the English Civil War.
Dr Tracy Borman OBE studied and taught history at the University of Hull and was awarded a PHD in 1997. She went on to a successful career in heritage and has worked for a range of historic properties and national heritage organisations, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, The National Archives and English Heritage. Tracy is now Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, a charity that encourages children to visit and learn from historic properties through the Sandford Award scheme. She is also joint Chief Historian for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, the Banqueting House, Whitehall and Hillsborough Castle. In July 2022, Tracy was nominated Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln. In 2024, She was awarded an OBE for services to heritage in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Tracy regularly appears on television and radio, and is a regular contributor to history magazines, notably BBC History.
MOTHERLAND
A Journey through 500,000 Years of African Culture and Identity with Luke Pepera
Motherland is a ground-breaking exploration of African culture and identity, told via Luke Pepera’s journey through 500,000 years of history to connect with his extraordinary heritage. Pepera tackles the questions many people of African descent ask – Who are we? Where do we come from? What defines us? And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity?
With illuminating examples, Pepera explores aspects of African identity from nomadic culture and matriarchal society to beliefs about the afterlife and the tradition of oral storytelling. We meet an array of characters including Mansa Musa, the wealthiest man who ever lived, Queen Amanirenas, who defeated the Romans, through to contemporary figures like Kool Moe Dee, who pioneered the rap battle, and Dexter Bristol, a member of the Windrush generation.
Interwoven with Luke’s own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.
Luke Pepera is a writer, broadcaster, historian, and anthropologist dedicated to sharing his passion for African history & cultures. He was born in Ghana, and has a degree from St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he read Archaeology & Anthropology and studied ancient and medieval African history. Since graduating he has worked at the Pitt Rivers Museum, The Times, and Tatler, and has written and presented Africa: Written Out of History, a documentary for Dan Snow’s History Hit.
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