It has never been more relevant to understand the rich and varied history of the British Isles.  Why are we the nation we are?  And why do we have the cultural and ethnic mix we do?

The answers, of course, lie in our rich and varied past and so we are aiming to thread together many of the different strands of Britain’s story together in a series of thirty-five talks,  downloadable podcasts, and chapters, which will, in 2023, combine into a single-volume book published by Bantam Press.

One copy of the book will be donated to EVERY secondary school in the country.

A very eminent body of historians has been assembled
to curate this very exciting project:

• Professor Ali Ansari – School of History, University of St. Andrews
• Chris Culpin – Historian, former Teacher, CVHT Trustee
• James Holland – Historian, Broadcaster, CVHF Chair and Programme Director
• Dr Clare Jackson – Broadcaster & Senior Tutor, Trinity Hall, Cambridge University
• Professor Margaret Macmillan – Warden of St. Antony’s College, Oxford University
• Dan Snow – Historian & Broadcaster

BRITAIN: THE THREAD OF HISTORY will be launched on the opening day of this year’s festival, Monday 24 June, with an introductory talk by Ali Ansari and followed by the first seven talks, covering the reign of James I & VI, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the emergence of new political and religious thinking, right through to the Restoration.

Talks at the 2019 Festival

BRITAIN: THE THREAD OF HISTORY, AN INTRODUCTION

Ali Ansari Monday 24th June, 3.30pm

JAMES I AND VI: RELIGION AND STATE

Suzannah Lipscomb Monday 24th June, 5pm

CHARLES I

Leanda de Lisle Tuesday 25th June, 2pm

THE WAR OF THE THREE KINGDOMS

John Adamson Thursday 27th June, 2pm

FREE MEN, LEVELLERS AND JOHN LILBURNE

Ted Vallance Thursday 27th June, 8.45pm

REGICIDE AND REPUBLIC

Clare Jackson Friday 28th June, 2pm

THE AGE OF CROMWELL

Micheál Ó Siochrú Friday 28th June, 3.30pm

THE RESTORATION

Kate Loveman Sunday 30th June, 3pm

For each subject in the Thread of History, we have chosen among the very best historians and communicators to be a part of this incredible story.  Their podcasts accompanying essays will be available to download later in the year.