by Michael Wood, OBE
In this richly illustrated talk historian and film maker Michael Wood looks at the fascinating story of one of the great figures in English History.
Athelstan was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 and from 927 until his death in 939 was recognised as King of England after defeating the Viking King of York. Athelstan was the grandson of Alfred the Great (and son of Edward the Elder), and continued his approach to improving government and the law, laying the foundations of Parliament. Michael Wood has called him the ‘English Charlemagne’ – the most powerful ruler that Britain had seen since the Romans. Athelstan was buried at Malmesbury Abbey in 939, reflecting his devotion to Malmesbury Abbey and the memory of its seventh-century abbot, St Aldhelm.
Michael needs very little introduction and we are delighted that he is supporting us with this joint fundraising event for the Saxon Church of St. Laurence, Bradford-on-Museum, Bradford-on-Avon Museum, and the Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
St. Laurence is one of our best preserved examples of pre-Conquest ecclesiastical buildings. Maintained by a board of trustees, the Trust is also responsible for St.Mary’s, Tory, a hermitage chapel overlooking the town.
Bradford on Avon Museum is a small, volunteer run museum of the historic and natural heritage of Bradford on Avon and the villages around it, the historic area of the Hundred of Bradford, on the western edge of Wiltshire.
Tickets
Tickets – £7 per screen (£4.50 WANHS and Bradford on Avon Museum Members) – booking essential. Use the button below.
A joint fund raiser for the Saxon Church of St. Laurence, Bradford-on-Avon, and Bradford-on-Museum, with proceeds split three ways to include the Wiltshire Museum.
The event is due to start at 7.30pm and will be held ONLINE using Zoom Webinars.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
The link will be sent to ticket holders on the day of the event.
Ticket sales close at 5pm on the day of the lecture.
Update: 5 May – 11am. The link has been sent to all ticket-holders. If you purchase a ticket on the day (sales close 5pm) the link will be sent to you before 7pm.
