Editor Picks: TOp 5 talks at the Chalke Valley History Festival

Last year around 30,000 history fans went on their annual pilgrimage to the Chalke Valley History Festival in Wiltshire. With the festival attracting some of the most popular historians it can be a minefield when it comes to selecting which talks to go to. This year, there are over 117 historical talks during the week. Each, of course, will be entertaining, enlightening and engaging in their own way with every period of history covered.

​Here at Inside History, we have decided to highlight the talks we are looking forward to most. So in no particular order here we go.
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Image courtesy of : Chalke Valley History Festival

CATHERINE BAILEY
​The Lost Boys: A Family ripped apart by War.
Friday 28th June 6.30-7.30 £12.75.

Catherine Bailey will tell the story of Fey Van Hassell. The chances are you have never heard of her but her story encapsulates the horror of war for civilians. When the Nazis arrested Van Hassell and took her two sons away, she began a terrifying journey that took her to some of the darkest corners of occupied Europe. This gripping history highlights a heart-breaking story of loss, betrayal and the determination to survive for the sake of her family.

Image courtesy of : Chalke Valley History Festival

PROFESSOR KATE WILLIAMS 
​Rival Queens: The betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Wednesday 26th June 8.45-9.45 £12.75.

Best Selling author and broadcaster Professor Kate Williams focuses her talk on Mary, Queen of Scots. In a world ruled by men who believed that women should not govern, two women dominated the governance of Britain. In England, Elizabeth I and in Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots. Professor Williams will highlight their tumultuous relationship and their struggle not only to defy the men against them, but also each other.

Image courtesy of : Chalke Valley History Festival

Image courtesy of : Chalke Valley History Festival

DAN JONES and MARINA AMARAL
The Colour of Time
Saturday 29th June 11.30am-12.30pm £13.50

Those familiar with the work of Marina Amaral will know that when it comes to the colourisation of historical images then she is in a league of her own. Her stunning images have transformed monochrome early photography into a vibrant visual treat for the eyes. Dan Jones joins Marina providing each of her wonderful images with its historical context to show us a new perspective of the past.

Image courtesy of : Chalke Valley History Festival

DR SAM WILLIS 
​The Spanish Armada
Friday 28th June 8.45pm-9.45pm £12.50

Sam Willis brings the story of the Spanish Armada to life with his usual enthusiasm to give a thrilling account of how the English fleet managed to defeat the much larger Spanish Armada. Focusing on the tactics and the key figures involved he will highlight the triumphs and failures from both sides.

Image courtesy of : Chalke Valley History Festival

IAN HISLOP
I Object: Satire and Subversion, A hidden history of dissent. 
Thursday 27th June 8.45pm-9-45pm £15.75

Perhaps we need satire more now than ever in the age of “fake news” . Who better to tackle this topic than Hislop himself. The “Have I got News for You” captain considers objects that ordinary people have created, adapted and used to mock and attack the status quo. In this talk Hislop will show you that the “meme” generation have learned a lot from the past.

For more information and to book tickets for the Chalke Valley History Festival please visit: https://cvhf.org.uk/

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