Tudor Encounters - A symposium in York

We have chosen the beautiful and historic city of York for the latest in our highly successful series of symposia. The world of the Tudors continues to exert a deep fascination for scholars and history lovers alike. We are delighted to bring together some of the most distinguished historians of the era, all of whom have contributed immensely to our understanding of this beguiling period, through their books, teachings and broadcasts. Their ten talks, focusing predominantly on the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, promise to entertain, enrich and enlighten.

Our venue is the wood-panelled Grand Boardroom of the former offices of the North Eastern Railway, now a five-star hotel – The Grand, York, where participants can also stay.

There is a choice of two hotels, both within the city walls and easy distance from the station and Minster; stay at The Grand, with one dinner, two breakfasts, mid-session refreshments, a drinks reception and a private concert in the Chapter House by members of the Minster Choir included, OR choose a simpler bed & breakfast package at the Park Inn by Radisson nearby, which includes all symposium talks and refreshments, the concert and reception, but no dinner.

The speakers

Stephen Alford. Professor of Early Modern British history at the University of Leeds and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has broadcast, lectured and published extensively. Books include The Watchers: A Secret History of the Reign of Elizabeth and most recently, London’s Triumph: Merchant Adventurers & the Tudor City.

Anna Beer. Author and researcher working in the fields of literature, history, music and creative writing. She is a Visiting Fellow of Kellogg College, University of Oxford where she is a member of the Faculty of English. Her books include Bess: The Life of Lady Ralegh, Wife to Sir Walter and John Milton: Poet, Pamphleteer and Patriot. She is currently working on a life of William Shakespeare due to be published in late 2021.

Tracy Borman. Author and broadcaster, Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust and joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces. Her books include Elizabeth’s Women; Thomas Cromwell: the untold story of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant; The Private Lives of the Tudors and most recently Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him.

John Bryan. Emeritus professor of Music at the University of Huddersfield and a member of the Rose Consort of Viols. He is founder of the North East Early Music Forum, artistic adviser to York Early Music Festival and a contributor on BBC Radio 3. He is the author of Early English Viols: Instruments, Makers & Music (Routledge). 

John Guy. Fellow of History at Clare College, Cambridge, he specialises in English history during the Tudors and is well-known for his books and broadcasts on the subject. He won the 2004 Whitbread Prize for his biography of Mary Queen of Scots, which was made into a major film. His latest book is an acclaimed biography of Sir Thomas Gresham.

Suzannah Lipscomb. Professor of History at the University of Roehampton, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, author and broadcaster. She has written and presented 18 historical documentary series. Her books include The Voices of Nîmes: Women, Sex, and Marriage in Reformation Languedoc; The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII; and 1536: The Year that Changed Henry VIII.

Glenn Richardson. Professor of Early Modern History at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. He has written widely on Tudor England’s political and cultural relations with Continental Europe and on Renaissance monarchy. His most recent books are The Field of Cloth of Gold (2013) and his new biography on Cardinal Wolsey (2020).