My programme of Friday morning online lectures via Zoom covers a wide range of historical and architectural subjects. In the course of an hour we might look at the history of a country house, take a virtual architectural walk or consider working people’s lives. These lectures are recorded and then made available for two weeks.
These courses can also be given face to face to groups and I have been doing this since 2001 for a variety of organisations. I can also deliver dayschools if you are interested in a more concentrated look at a topic.
I also give longer courses online looking at similar subjects in greater depth over a number of weeks in sessions which last two hours. Often these relate to English country houses, their architecture and those who lived and worked in them, these courses may look at a particular period like Victorian Country Houses or at houses in an area like the Chilterns.
Programme February-March 2026.
Online Lectures and Visits.
I will deliver Zoom lectures once a week on Fridays at 10.00 a.m. giving five lectures which will be recorded and available for two weeks. The lectures are all standalone sessions so there is no need to commit to the whole series. I will continue to email details of the next week’s events weekly and lectures will be charged at £6 per connection unless you prebook the whole series which will cost £25 for all five. Booking by midday on the day before the lecture (by emailing Zilphahistory@gmail.com) will ensure a place. Please feel free to pass these details (which can also be found at www.zilphahistory.co.uk) onto anyone who may be interested.
Friday 27th February 2026 : Picturing Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth understood the importance that portraits of her had in reinforcing her position as queen. We will see how images of her evolved through her life and the symbolism within them.
Friday 6th March 2026 : The Marquis of Hertford and his Dealer.
In the mid 19th Century the 4th Marquess of Hertford was busy building the art collection that forms the core of the Wallace Collection. In his correspondence with his art dealer, Samuel Mawson, we can see some of the triumphs and frustrations of a collector.
Friday 13th March 2026 : The Silver Jubilee Walkway V, St. Pancras Station to The Royal Courts of Justice.
In 1977 Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee was marked in London by the creation of a walking route indicated with metal discs set into the pavement. On the fifth section of this journey through London we will see important buildings along Euston Road, like St. Pancras church, before turning south through the squares of Bloomsbury. This area is dominated by the University of London and we will see a sculpture of a former student, Rabindranath Tagore, before reaching Lincoln’s Inn Fields and the Royal Courts of Justice.
Friday 20th March 2026 : A Glimpse of a Victorian High Street, Tring in the 1890’s.
Using directories, the census, old photographs and the evidence of the surviving buildings we will create a picture of the shopkeepers, professionals and residents who lived on this High Street in the early 1890’s.
Friday 27th March 2026 : Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726); Architect, Playwright, Soldier etc. etc.
The tercentenary of Vanbrugh’s death this year is being marked by various events, including an exhibition at Sir John Soane’s Museum. In this biographical sketch we will mostly look at Vanbrugh as an architect, whose first project was Castle Howard, but will also consider some of his other talents.
Online Courses 2025-6.
The courses will be held online via Zoom on Wednesday evenings 7.00 - 9.00 p.m. each session having a break of about 10 minutes in the middle. All sessions will be recorded and available until two weeks after the end of the course. There will be a maximum of 20 connections. To book please contact Adam Smith at zilphahistory@gmail.com.
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English Country Houses : Through Two World Wars (c.1910-50).
Starts 25th February 2026, 7.00-9.00 p.m. 6 Weeks.
Despite appearance to the contrary many owners of country houses were in a difficult financial position by 1910 and this was only going to get worse as agriculture remained in depression and taxes increased. The World Wars impacted owners and houses in way unlike previous wars breaking up households and leading to many houses being used to support the nation. Despite this the life of the English gentry was still something that was aspired to and purchaser were found for those houses that came onto the market and new ones were built. We will examine these strands of Country House history. (£50)