Prepare to go medieval as HistFest brings a historical extravaganza to the British Library this December! This will be special day of talks and discussions with leading historians, writers and speakers, who’ll delve into rich medieval histories to explore global stories, investigate fascinating discoveries, explore medieval literature, and much more!  Speakers include MEMOs own Founding Editor, Dr Lubaaba Al-Azami, and MEMOs Research Team Member, Dr Shazia Jagot. 

SCHEDULE and SPEAKERS

10:30am – Anna Komnene, Byzantium and the Wider World

Between 1143 and 1153 Princess Anna Komnene, the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, wrote one of the most important primary sources in medieval literature – The Alexiad. From the inner workings of the court to the First Crusade, her writings provide an unparalleled view of Constantinople during a critical juncture in medieval history. In this fascinating event, renowned historian, author and academic Peter Frankopan details Anna Komnene’s extraordinary life and times within the context of Byzantium, and the wider medieval world.

In conversation with HistFest founder Rebecca Rideal.

12:30pm – How to Overthrow a Medieval Ruler

From the brutality of the battlefield to conspiracies at court – what does it take to overthrow a medieval ruler?

After a hugely successful event earlier this year, Charlie Higson returns to HistFest for a live recording of his popular history podcast Willy Willy Harry Stee… This time, Higson and a star-studded team of experts – Nathen Amin (Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor), Helen Castor (The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV) and Lubaaba Al-Azami (Travellers in the Golden Realm: How Mughal India Connected England to the World) – take a deep dive into medieval plots, conspiracies and power.

2pm – Cindy Oswin: Cell

Enjoy a special performance from Cindy Oswin of ‘Cell’ based on the life and writing of Julian of Norwich – the first woman to write in English.

3:15pm – Medieval Literature – from Beowulf to Du Fu

In this special event, historians Michael Wood, Heather O’Donoghue and Janina Ramirez traverse the globe to explore medieval literature – from the epic tale of Beowulf to the oeuvre of one of China’s greatest poets, Du Fu (712-70). How were the works received by contemporaries? What role did women play in creating and transmitting poetry? What can poetry tell us about the Medieval period more broadly?

This event is kindly sponsored by PLB Ltd.

5pm – Medieval Bodies

From Sutton Hoo to Richard III – much of what we know about the medieval world comes from what has been buried in the earth. In this wide-ranging event, Raksha Dave and Shazia Jagot explore the lived experience of medieval people through the evidence they have left behind. How have archaeological discoveries challenged accepted history? What can burial sites tell us about medieval health? Which recent finds have been most surprising?