Charge your glasses and settle down for a leisurely drink as Tom and Ronald chat about Christmas, anarchy and medieval merry-making. Plus we'll have philosophy from Dr Mark Vernon.

Bring your friends. It should be like meeting up in the pub for an interesting conversation. We leave the meeting open at the end so you can carry on chatting.

This is an online event using Zoom.

About the speakers:

Professor Ronald Hutton is a leading authority on history of the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. His research into pre-historic and medieval monuments, including for example Stonehenge and paganism has profoundly influenced heritage organisations. Ronald is a member of the Board of Trustees for English Heritage and chairs the panel which awards commemorative Blue Plaques. His most recent book is The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present (Yale University Press). 

Tom Hodgkinson is editor of the Idler and author of the best-selling manuals, How to be Idle and How to be Free. Other books include a book on smallholding called Brave Old World, a book on parenting, the Ukulele Handbook and, most recently, a manual for creative entrepreneurs, Business for Bohemians.

Dr Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster and teacher. He presents several Idler Academy online courses. He has a PhD in philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His most recent books include – The Idler Guide To Ancient Philosophy (Idler Books), Love: All That Matters (Hodder) and Jung: How To Believe (Guardian Shorts) – and he has books on friendship, belief and the good life too. Mark can often be heard on Moral Maze. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England. For more visit, www.markvernon.com

Note:

When you register, you can choose a Donation Ticket, or a Free Ticket if you are an Idler subscriber, a student, or on low income. We leave this open like an 'honesty box'. If you are able to support the Idler please choose the Donation Ticket option. This will support the brilliant, fun and fascinating journalism of the magazine and enable us to keep producing weekly Drinks with fascinating speakers.

After signing up, you'll get a confirmation and several reminders from Eventbrite by email. Follow the instructions in the emails and click the link to join the meeting.

Please arrive before 6pm for a prompt start. Latecomers may not be given access.

You can catch up on all previous Idler Drinks on Idler TV on YouTube, including interviews with Hayley Atwell, Simon Farnaby, Armando Iannucci, Sally Phillips, David Graeber and many more.