Medieval Canterbury Weekend 2026

Sheila Sweetinburgh has been invited to answer our questions in anticipation of an exciting weekend of speakers coming to the University of Kent in 2026.

What is the Medieval  Canterbury Weekend?

For those new to these History Weekends, the ethos behind them is to provide those attending with the opportunity to hear academics and other experts talking about their chosen medieval subjects, thereby bringing new research to new audiences.

The talks are categorised under: Royalty & Nobility; War & Politics; Social History; and Religion & the Arts and those attending just book the talks they are interested in – a medievalists pick-and-mix. As in previous years, the intention is to raise funds for postgraduates who wish to study for higher degrees in Medieval and Early Modern Studies. To do this we are working with CAMEMS and after costs the money from ticket sales etc will go into the CAMEMS postgraduate bursary fund, so please do support the Medieval Canterbury Weekend if you can and are interested in this fascinating period.

Where and when does the event takes place?

The Medieval Canterbury Weekend takes place at The University of Kent between Friday 1 – Sunday 3^rd May 2026 in the Templeman Library and the Grimond Building. The weekend is celebrating all things medieval with a broad ranging programme of 20 in-person talks spread across 11 sessions. The event brings together leading historians and fresh research and discoveries into the Middle Ages. In addition, speakers’ publications will be available to purchase through the Bookstall in the Templeman foyer where speakers can sign books. The programme of events can be viewed here: https://history-weekends.org/programme.

Who is opening the event?

On Friday evening opening the weekend we have Professor Rachel Koopmans the foremost expert today on the Becket Miracle Windows who will be speaking on ‘Miracles Rediscovered: Thomas Becket and Canterbury’s Marvellous Stained Glass’. As Rachel says, the ‘miracle windows’ of Canterbury Cathedral are full of action and human drama, as well as being one of the greatest artistic treasures surviving from the medieval period. Furthermore, the new examination of these windows in Canterbury’s conservation studio has revolutionized our understanding of their creation in the wake of Thomas Becket’s murder and the growth of his cult in the late 12^th and early 13^th century. This presentation will focus on the latest window to be analysed, numbered nIV, in which the glaziers pictured cures of lameness, paralysis, insanity, kidney pain, stomach ache and malarial fevers. Consequently, we are exceedingly fortunate to have such a distinguished speaker who is focusing on early medieval stained glass that is at least on a par with that from the great French cathedrals, including Chartres.

Prof Rachel Koopmans with Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh.

Which speakers can you highlight for the Canterbury Medieval weekend?

There are so many, but I’ll just mention one from each of the four themed areas to highlight different aspects of what makes these History Weekends special. Starting with Royalty & Nobility I’ll mention Dr Marc Morris who will be discussing aspects of the reign of Edward I. Marc is a prolific historian with many books and TV documentaries to his name. His expertise on a wide range of topics and good communication skills have made him a firm favourite.

Dr Marc Morris signing books.*

Thinking about War & Politics, we have Dr Malcolm Mercer, who will highlight the development of the Tower of London as a place of imprisonment in the later Middle Ages, for its importance grew as a place to intimidate, censure and punish. Malcolm is a specialist in late medieval English cultural, military and political history and Curator of Tower Armouries at the Royal Armouries, thereby demonstrating that there are career paths for historians outside universities.

Thinking about Social History, I thought I would mention Professor Chris Dyer who will be taking a close look at peasant society, especially the contrast that is often emphasised between conflict and neighbourliness. Chris’ knowledge about the medieval peasantry is legendry, and this will be a fantastic chance to hear from someone whose research and published works as a university professor, first at Birmingham and then Leicester, have covered so many groups within medieval society – truly ‘history from below’.

For my fourth theme of Religion & the Arts, I want to draw your attention to someone from MEMS and that the History Weekends provide a chance for post-doctoral students, again as previously happened at CCCU. In this case it is Dr Angela Websdale’s fascinating talk on how material culture, using church wall paintings at Faversham, can open up ways to investigate the cults of St Thomas Becket and St Edward the Confessor in Kent, thereby bringing together Westminster, Faversham and Canterbury.

Which speaker is closing the weekend on the Sunday afternoon?

It is brilliant that Dr Helen Castor will be discussing her new book on Richard II and Henry IV, first cousins yet in many ways so different, whose struggle over the English throne has captivated audiences from Shakespeare up to the present day. For as Helen says, "They grew up to be opposites: Richard was the white hart, a thin-skinned narcissist, and Henry the eagle, a chivalric hero, a leader who inspired loyalty where Richard inspired only fear. Henry had all the qualities Richard lacked, all the qualities a sovereign needed, bar one: birthright." As you might expect, her success as an author and as a TV documentary maker, has made her a firm favourite at the History Weekends, and her expertise, engaging style and thoughtful analysis make her a standout historian amongst the many top-ranking medievalists who will be contributing to the Weekend.

What do you feel will be achieved by the Canterbury History Weekend and what benefits will this bring to MEMS and postgraduate research studies?

The beauty of these History Weekends is that they give the chance for people, whether they are students or members of the public to hear about new research on a range of different history topics. Moreover, speakers are happy to talk to those attending and student volunteers get even more opportunities to talk to historians they probably only know through the speakers’ publications. This means the buzz is palpable and there is a growing group of people who come every year.

In addition to offering new information, knowledge and understanding about medieval topics, which in some cases may directly relate to studies being undertaken by MEMS postgraduates, the chance to attend these talks by experienced medieval scholars provides ideas about presenting. Such skills are important, and not just for those looking for an academic career. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly of all, to be part of the Weekend is fun. It is enjoyable to be part of the ‘Welcome Team’ and/or attend specific talks, and it will, I hope, showcase what the great community that is Kent MEMS, just as it did at CCCU in previous years. Finally, the intention is to raise money for student bursaries, something that was done very successfully in the past.

How much does a session cost to attend?

Standard ticket is £10 per person per talk.

Discount: £8 per ticket when purchasing 10 or more tickets in one transaction.

Student ticket: £5 per person, per event (these sales are limited to 5% per talk).

Tickets for Canterbury History Weekends are sold securely through TicketSource, who apply a small booking fee applied at checkout to cover their processing costs. Tickets for each event can be booked here:

https://history-weekends.org/ticket-shop

Past speakers from the Canterbury History Weekends.

From left to right Prof Janina Ramirez, Dr Claire Martin, Dr Onyeka Nubia & Dr Alison Weir.*

*Images courtesy of Pepsoft Photo (www.pepsoftphoto.uk)