Our annual free conference for teachers and students was held in the University of Bristol Humanities Building.  Our speakers were Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol University, Dr Tracy Borman Chief Historian of Historic Royal Palaces and Dr Sean Cunningham Head of Medieval Records at the National Archives.  This conference followed on from our conferences on Modern Russian History in 2024 and African Kingdoms in 2025.  This year’s topic is one of the most popular at A level and eleven sixth forms brought their students. Our speakers were distinguished historians who each brought their individual style to their lectures.

Professor Hutton explored why none of the Tudor Rebellions had succeeded and what this told us about why they happened; the motives of rebels and how Tudor government functioned.  This key topic at A level was explored with Professor Hutton’s characteristic wit and precision and brought the topic bang up to date.  Dr Borman gave her lecture via Zoom and presented the key men who had been role models, advisors, friends, and potential enemies to Henry VIII.  The students learnt much of Henry’s personality and as well as the familiar figures of Wolsey and Cromwell. Others emerged including Will Somers his official ‘fool,’ Charles Brandon brother-in-law and his closest friend and Sir Francis Bryan who lost one eye in a jousting match.  This rich cast of characters showed how Henry’s character developed and brought his reign to life. Using Zoom Tracy tackled some interesting questions including the one about a resemblance to the current American President.    

Finally, Dr Sean Cunningham tackled the reign of Henry VII the founder of the Tudor Dynasty.  The insecurity of Henry’s claim to the throne, the short time he had lived in England before he claimed the throne and his French accent established the challenge that faced Henry VII.  The steps that Henry VII took to establish his monarchy and how his reign ended in isolation and unpopularity were illustrated with rare documents from the archives which Sean curates and which have formed the basis of his new book Henry VII: Treason and Trust.

Each lecture was followed by well informed and lively questions from students and their teachers. We are already planning our 2027 Conference.