The 2021-22 season

 A new season of lectures and visits beckons the members and supporters of the Historical Association's Bath branch. We must all hope that it is able to proceed without let or hindrance after the Covid-related disruptions towards the end of the 2019-20 season and throughout 2020-21.

The branch committee was grateful for the enthusiastic support given by so many members to the two limited-audience lectures and four presented online using Zoom that did take place between September 2020 and May 2021.And what a joy it was for the 24 of us who were able to visit Old Bowlish House one afternoon in June under conditions that were almost normal.

As I write we do not yet know whether our occupancy of Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution will be affected by ongoing restrictions, but there are reasons to be optimistic. Any limit on numbers is likely to be much higher than was the case last autumn, and there may be no special limit at all. The branch itself may need to decide its own policy about the wearing of face coverings. This website will carry any relevant information, and members will be informed by email.

The new season incorporates seven lectures, one of which will be given using Zoom. A twice-postponed visit to the Merchant's House, Marlborough, is again planned for May. The branch committee hopes to be able to organise a special pre-Christmas event in December. There is likely to be another visit in June and a guided walk on the Lansdown battlefield. Other special events, including one in London, are being considered.

For now, it is a pleasure to be able to list for you the seven lectures for 2021-22 and one of the visits. Let us hope that they will take us forward to an even better 'normal'.

Thursday 23 September 2021

Building a Righteous Nation: Religion in the political construction and disintegration of the United States 1787-1861

Professor Richard Carwardine (Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford)

Thursday 21 October 2021

Medieval Queens: Ruling Women in a Man's World

Dr Ellie Woodacre (University of Winchester)

Thursday 18 November 2021

Maggie's Gospel: the Sermon on the Mound

Dr Clifford Williamson (Bath Spa University)

Thursday 20 January 2022

Illuminating conversion: manuscripts from the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms

Professor Joanna Story (University of Leicester)

This lecture will be given using Zoom. It will not take place at Bath Royal.

Thursday 24 February 2022

Louis XVI and the French Revolution

Professor William Doyle (University of Bristol)

Thursday 24 March 2022

'That Epidemical Madness': Women and elections in eighteenth-century England

Professor Elaine Chalus (University of Liverpool)

Thursday 28 April 2022

Royal Attitudes to the Atlantic Slave Trade and Abolition in the Late Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries

Professor Suzanne Schwarz (University of Worcester)

Thursday 19 May 2022

Members' Visit to the Merchant's House, Marlborough

All lectures will begin at 7.30 pm at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square. I will introduce each lecture in this diary.

Finally, a note about BRLSI. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution - known variously as 'Brizzly' or 'Brilsi' - has decided to rebrand as 'Bath Royal'. The Historical Association wishes it well and looks forward to continuing to enjoy its facilities.

Mike Short