The 2016-17 History & Heritage Public Lecture Series gets underway at University College Isle of Man (UCM) on Wednesday 19 October when the Director of Manx National Heritage, Edmund Southworth, will be talking about ‘Understanding Castle Rushen’. The lecture will draw on recent research into the development of Castle Rushen from the 12th century onwards, and will touch on some of the challenges inherent in maintaining such a building.
The History & Heritage Public Lecture Series aims to showcase new research in history and heritage, both on the Isle of Man and further afield. Programme Leader for History & Heritage at UCM said:
‘It’s important for our students to have access to cutting-edge research and sharing this research with the public benefits the whole Manx community. We’ve put together an interesting and varied programme of lectures, that we hope will be of interest to the general public.’
The lecture on 16 November will be given by Dr Robert Fyson, who will be speaking about the founder of the Isle of Man Times, James Brown. Brown was imprisoned in Castle Rushen by order of the House of Keys in 1864, and is widely believed to have been one of the main instigators of democratic reform on the Island.
On 14 December, Prof. Howard Williams from the University of Chester will be speaking about his research into ‘Watchful Warriors on Viking-Age Sculpture’.
Prof. Tim Thornton, from the University of Huddersfield, will be giving the lecture on 18 January, which will consider lordship and sovereignty in the Isle of Man, from 1300 to 1600.
The spotlight will be on the Manx crosses for the lecture by Prof. Sir David M. Wilson on 15 February. Prof. Wilson will present his recent research on the crosses, providing up-to-date analysis and new interpretations.
On 15 March, Katie Kewley of the University of Liverpool will give us a progress report on the Manx Stone Axe-Head Project, discussing the findings so far.
Dr Jennifer Kewley Draskau will present a lecture on 5 April on ‘The Great Whore of Babylon’: Charlotte de la Trémoille, Countess of Derby. Dr Kewley Draskau will explore Charlotte’s background and will look at her role in the 1651 Manx Rising and the death of Illiam Dhone.
On 17 May, we will hear from Hamish Killip who will speak about ‘Death in Detention: Internees whose lives ended on the Isle of Man’.
Our final lecture of the year will take place on 14 June, when Dr Sue Nicol will be speaking about the role of the Isle of Man in Norway’s liberation struggle during the Second World War, when the Island was a staging post for Norwegians fleeing their country.
The lectures take place on a Wednesday evening at 6pm in the Lecture Theatre at Elmwood House, off Glencrutchery Road (behind the St John Ambulance Centre). All are welcome, and no booking is required.
Further information about all of the lectures can be found online at www.catrionamackie.net/lectures and on Facebook.
