Posted on 8th Jan
2025 marks 400 years since King Charles I’s accession to the throne and the National Civil War Centre in Newark is marking the anniversary with some special events in its newly-released talks programme.
An insight into life at Charles I’s royal court can be gained in the first talk of the year, on Thursday, 23rd January. Masques, Music and Mayhem: Dance in Stuart England will explore the importance of dance in the Stuart world, offering an understanding of royalty and party culture in the period.
On Friday, 31st January, the centre’s Tudor Hall will become Westminster Hall for an interactive performance event recreating the trial of King Charles I. Suitable for all ages over 12, audience members will be able to take part in the trial and decide for themselves if they would sign the warrant to execute a King.
A talk on Thursday, 14th February will interrogate whether Charles I was to blame for the Civil War, which ended in his execution and the establishment of a republic. Dr Jonathan Fitzgibbons, lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Lincoln, will examine if Charles can be blamed for his own fate or if he was, as a medal in the museum collection states, a good but unlucky King.
This focus on Charles I will continue on into spring as the lens shifts to his military command and his Royalist army’s Siege of Leicester. The brutal sacking, in May 1645, caused outrage throughout the nation and was a major factor in his ultimate downfall. In this event on Friday, 23rd May, archaeologist Mathew Morris will explore new archaeological evidence which is helping to reappraise what happened.
Another king is the focus of a talk in April, which will welcome some of the team responsible for the discovery of King Richard III in a car park in Leicester. The remarkable find inspired news and media coverage across the world and offered unprecedented new insights into the Battle of Bosworth. This event, taking place immediately following the King in a car park-themed Family Saturday on 5th April, will be a chance to hear from archaeologists Mathew Morris and Andrew Hyam from University of Leicester Archaeological Services. They’ll explain how modern archaeological and forensic investigation, and historical re-enactment, allows us to reassess historic sources and tell new stories.
With much of the focus on male figures of the 17th Century, March will see a shift to an important local woman, Lucy Hutchinson, in honour of International Women’s Day. The poet, translator, and biographer was married to Newark’s arch enemy, John Hutchinson, Governor of Nottingham during the Civil War and regicide. The talk, on Friday, 7th March, will uncover the story of a 17th Century power couple and challenge beliefs about women in this period.
Lastly, one of the museum’s most striking exhibits, Sir Thomas Fairfax’s wheelchair, is the inspiration for a talk on Thursday, 24th April as the dramatic and action-packed life of its owner, the general who won the Civil War, is revealed alongside grisly details of his injuries.
Coun Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Over the past year, the museum has received great acclaim for its family activities, winning the national Family Friendly Museum Award for Best Small Museum. However, they really do offer something for all ages and whether you’re young or old, a keen historian, a student or just have a passing interest, these talks will offer a truly fascinating insight into an extremely important period of UK history.”
Tickets for all events are £10 or £3 for Friends of the National Civil War Centre – Newark Museum, excluding the Richard III talk, which is reduced to £5 with free admission for under-25s. These can be booked online at www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com/whatson/events or by calling 01636 655765. Entry to the museum, where visitors can find a range of artefacts and interpretation to complement the talks, is free for Newark and Sherwood residents.
