Curious Histories - Autumn London Special

After our entertaining (and sold out!) inaugural London event, Curious Histories returns to the Tokenhouse on Moorgate, and we're very happy to be partnering again with the Arts and Humanities Society. We'll be in the well-appointed downstairs function room and bar, and our show will feature three typically idiosyncratic talks.The show will begin at 7pm, but doors will open at 6pm. If you would like to eat beforehand, the Tokenhouse offers a great menu, so arrive when doors open and order food and drinks before we start; you do not need to reserve a table. The bar will stay open throughout the show. We aim to finish no later than 9.45pm (running order below).

Our talks:

Queenship and Queenly Ideals in the Middle Ages

Dr Rachel Gibbons ranges across medieval England and France to explore the concept of queenship. She will look at not only at the subtle political prerequisites of the queenly role but also some of its more unusual, but no less essential, obligations in the realms of art, fashion, patronage, and public display.

The Volga: Why Write a History of a River?

‘Without the Volga there would be no Russia’. These were the words with which a Russian TV report in 2019 concluded. The Volga is the subject of Professor Janet Hartley’s talk, and she explains why she decided to write a history of the river. The Volga region was crucial for economic development, state building and consolidation of power, for the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union alike. State control was exercised militarily and bureaucratically, and by exporting Russian high culture and via the conversion to Russian Orthodoxy of non-Christian peoples. Finally, Janet explains why the Volga became so important culturally and spiritually - so that it became quintessentially 'THE Russian' river.

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles: The Origins of the British police’s ‘999’ system, 1909-1939

One of many taken-for-granted aspects of late twentieth century modernity was the ability to telephone a number which alerted the police (and, a bit later, ambulance and fire services – but that’s another story). To work, it needed a telephone network, a control room, and the ability to tell police to respond to calls. All this came together for the first time at scale in late 1930s' London. When Dr Chris Williams began to research the origins of these elements, and who put them together, he began an odyssey which drew him back to before the First World War and ended with the curious conundrum of how to get train-loads of holidaymakers to Skegness on a bank holiday weekend in 1909. To find out the bits in between, come to the lecture!

Our speakers:

Dr Rachel Gibbons is an expert in European medieval history with a speciality in the concept of queenship. She is currently a civil servant.

Janet Hartley is Emeritus Professor of International History at the London School of Economics. Her main scholarly interests have been in the diplomatic, military, and social history of the Russian Empire in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Her two most recent books have covered a longer chronological period, however: Siberia: A History of the People, 2014, and The Volga: a History of Russia’s Greatest River, 2021. The Volga - the subject of her Curious Histories' talk - was a Financial Times history book of the year and has been translated into Russian, Italian and Korean.

Dr Chris Williams is the originator of the Radio 4 series ‘The Things We Forgot To Remember’. His research into the history of criminal justice in the UK is the subject of his book Police control systems in Britain,1775-1975. Chris is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the Social History Society.

Running order (all times approximate):

7pm - The Origins of 999

7.50pm - The Volga

8.50pm - Medieval Queenship

9.45pm - Curfew

There will be two intervals during the evening.

Our partner:

The Arts and Humanities Society is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation which offers a range of walks, talks, tours, and study days for past and present Open University students and others.

FAQs

How do I find out more about Curious Histories?

You can follow us here on eventbrite, or join our public facebook group.

How do I find out more about the Arts and Humanities Society?

You can follow the AHS on eventbrite, on its facebook page, or on its Youtube channel.

How do I get to the Tokenhouse?

The Tokenhouse is within easy walking distance of Liverpool Street mainline rail station, plus Bank and Moorgate tube stations. Buses 21, 43, 76, 141, 153 and 214 all stop nearby the pub as well.

What food and drink will be available?

The Tokenhouse has a full food menu. We recommend that you arrive around the time that doors open (6pm) in order to eat before the show. Drinks are available throughout the evening from the downstairs bar in the function room.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the talks?

The event will be held in licensed premises, so sadly minimum age is 18.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we will have a list of names on the door.

What if I've bought a ticket but am unable to come?

If you're not able to come, you are welcome to offer your ticket to someone else. If you can't give your ticket to another person, drop Curious Histories a line - if the event is sold out we may be able to re-sell it for you.

Will latecomers be admitted?

Talks will begin at 7pm, but there will be some places reserved for latecomers.

Is there wheelchair access to the venue?

The downstairs area, where the talks are being held, is wheelchair accessible.