4 minute read
What’s On
EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS
WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO VISIT IN THE WIDER WORLD OF HISTORY
FAVERSHAM TOWN COUNCIL ANATOMICAL MUSEUM COLLECTION, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, AMSTERDAM MUSEUM, ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST/ HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II, ITV PICTUREDESK, PETER BLENKHARN, JENNIE BOND, EXHIBITION
Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
PAID ENTRY National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, 2 July – 30 October, nms.ac.uk
The gruesome, yet scientifically important, practice of dissecting human bodies is the subject of a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland this July.
Spanning more than 500 years of history, the display will examine the work of anatomists down the ages, as well as the ethical considerations of dealing with human remains. Alongside anatomical sketches by Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci, there will be a local focus, too, with the story of Edinburgh murderers William Burke and William Hare also explored in the display. Not only can visitors discover the story behind the duo’s killings – motivated by a desire to sell fresh ‘specimens’ to the anatomist Robert Knox – but there will also be the chance to see the skeleton of Burke himself, who was dissected after his execution in 1829.
Other highlights include an iron mortsafe designed to prevent grave robberies, plus a series of mysterious miniature coffins discovered on Arthur’s Seat nearly 200 years ago.
An 18th-century depiction of an anatomy lesson, painted by Dutch artist Cornelis Troost, is one of many artworks set to appear in the National Museum of Scotland’s upcoming exhibition
ABOVE: A sketch by Leonardo da Vinci, showing the veins and muscles of the human arm LEFT: The skull of Edinburgh serial killer William Burke, who was publicly dissected after his execution in 1829
A costume from the ITV adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel Sanditon will be included in the exhibition
EXHIBITION
A Costume of Sportpo
PAID ENTRY Chawton House, near Alton, Hampshire, until 4 September, chawtonhouse.org
The Grade II* listed Chawton House is best known for its connection to Jane Austen, whose brother Edward inherited the property in 1794. Living only a short distance away, the novelist was a frequent visitor to the house, and made reference to the property in her letters. But as well as its link to a literary great, Chawton was also home to a rich sporting tradition, with numerous games played within its grounds.
This new exhibition explores the types of sporting attire worn during Austen’s lifetime and beyond, ranging from full-length flannel swimming dresses to top hats worn by cricketers. There is also the chance to see a costume from ITV’s recent adaptation of Sanditon – the novelist’s final, unfinished work.
ONLINE LECTURE SERIES
10, 17 and 24 June, historyextra.com/masterclass
HistoryExtra’s popular Masterclass series will be continuing this June with a trio of online lectures, each exploring aspects of everyday life in Victorian Britain.
Hosted by Emma Griffin (pictured right), professor of modern British history at the University of East Anglia, the first session (10 June) will explore the radical changes triggered by the Industrial Revolution, and how new types of work brought fresh dangers – as well as benefits – to men.
In the second session (17 June), Griffin will d reveal how factory employment transformed the lives of women, before concluding with a third and final session (24 June) looking at how family life was impacted by the new social freedoms of the period. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions in each lecture, and discuss a primary source chosen by Emma Griffin.
Access to the Masterclass is priced £15 per session, or £39 for the full series. To sign up, visit historyextra.com/masterclass. w er
FESTIVAL
Bradford Literature Festival
PAID ENTRY Various locations around Bradford, 24 June – 3 July, bradfordlitfest.co.uk
After being hosted partly online in 02021, the Bradford Literature Festival will be returning this summer with an in-person programme of talks, concerts and theatre performances.
As ever, there will be plenty of events for history lovers to enjoy, including a discussion on 25 July between author Robert Hardman and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond (top right) about Hardman’s new book, Queen of our Times, which explores the 70-year reign of
Queen Elizabeth II. On the same date, historian Saeed Khan will discuss the 1947 partitioni of India and its continuing impact today, while on 1 July, bestselling author Alison Weir (bottom right) will be shedding light on her new novel about Elizabeth of York. For a full list of speakers, visit the website address above.
PERMANENT EXHIBITION
The Faversham Charters and Magna Carta
FREE ENTRY The Town Hall, Faversham, Kent, open now, favershamcharters.org
In 1300, Edward I presented the Kent town of Faversham with its own copy of Magna Carta. Specifically addressed to the “barons of the port of Faversham”, the precious document – one of only a handful of examples of its kind – confirmed the rights set out in King John’s original Magna Carta of 1215.
Seven years on from a successful temporary exhibition, a permanent display of Faversham’s Magna Carta is now available to visit at the local town hall, where it is shown alongside several other important medieval documents and artefacts, including an illuminated charter issued by Henry IV (pictured right), and a ‘moot horn’ used to summon local government meetings.
