When life gets a bit too chaotic why not give yourself a good break and delve into some history for a bit of escapism?
Once again, our lovely Culture Vulture Corinne Jones has collected some of the most interesting historic chats for this November.
For example, we all know the Romans are responsible for a lot when it comes to modern civilization but do you know they even changed our biology? Life in Roman Britain: A view from the Skeleton will fascinate you on the 6th of November at 7pm.
Or perhaps you're in the mood for some lore, as the virtual event Heroes in Ancient Greek on Tuesday 12th of November at 2pm explores legends and myths as told by ancient writers and illustrators.
Take a look below and enjoy!
Tuesday the 5th of November at 6pm – Female Writers in the Spanish Golden Age
Unlike Sor Juana, who was forgotten for centuries, St. Teresa (1515-1582) has been continuously studied since her death. Like Sor Juana, who cites her as a model, Teresa was basically self-taught. Both shone so brightly that their successive confessors could not overshadow them. Thus, they learned from no other teachers than the books themselves. However, Sor Juana leaned towards secular knowledge, while Teresa focused on theology.
Wednesday the 6th of November 8pm – The Stained Glass Windows of William Morris
At the height of the great Gothic revival in church architecture during the 19th century, stained glass windows enjoyed a renaissance. Already famous for their innovative designs, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown were responsible for some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows of the 19th and 20th centuries. This lecture will look at the history of how ‘The Firm’ brought church windows to life with their new vibrant colors and sensuous designs.
Wednesday 6th of November at 7pm – Life in Roman Britain
During life, our bones and teeth become subtly altered by our physical and social interactions and environment, forming a unique osteobiographical archive. The skeletal remains of past people therefore provide archaeologists with a critical repository of information to explore ancient lives.
Saturday 9th of November 3pm – Art of Guatemala
Guatemala’s vibrant landscapes and rich heritage culture inspire artists to create art that reflects tradition, colour, and natural beauty.
Tuesday 12th of November at 2pm – Heroes in Ancient Greek
Explore and examine the myths surrounding Heracles, Theseus and Jason as recorded by ancient writers and illustrated by ancient and later artists from objects in the British Museum. Join Dr William Sterling to learn more.
Tuesday 12th November at 7pm – Victorian Jewelry
Join this online gem talk for a discussion about the elegance of the 19th century. This talk highlights Victorian jewelry and the regal effect it has imprinted for decades. Alexandra will be discussing the creation of Victorian jewelry while highlighting their historical significance and eye-catching designs. Come learn about the beauty of jewelry in the Victorian era!
Wednesday 13th November at 7 - 11 pm – Veteran Trees
What exactly are veteran trees: how are they different to ancient trees; what processes are at work in their formation; why are they so important to wildlife and how do we best look after them? Join Victoria Stanfield, Trees and Woodlands Advisor for the National Trust in the Southwest, to answer these questions in her introduction to these magnificent survivors.
Thursday 14th November of 6pm – Rembrant, Three Trees
Next up in the Virtual Art in Focus series is Rembrandt’s Three Trees, his largest landscape print and one in which he combined multiple techniques to produce this dramatic vision of a sudden storm rolling across the flat countryside
Monday 18th of November at 6pm – The Lost Fleet of New France
French-American Histories, One Story, Two Narratives is a program of virtual talks launched by Villa Albertine in collaboration with the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA. Each episode reveals a different facet of the vibrant French-American tapestry, through interviews with leading scholars, experts, and practitioners conducted by Dr. Iris de Rode, an expert in the history of French-American relations.
Wednesday 20th of November at 6pm – Mapping Black London
The project recentres and recovers the presence of people of colour across the city’s long history. Although Britain’s multiracial heritage is often seen as a post-war phenomenon, its capital has attracted people of African descent since at least Roman times. Mapping Black London offers new insights into this rich past, producing interactive maps, dynamic digital exhibits, curriculum material, and other educational content that allows users to encounter and discover the varied contributions made by Black people to the development of London.
Thanks, Corinne.