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.
I will deliver Zoom lectures once a week on Fridays at 10.00 a.m. giving six lectures over seven weeks 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 £30 for all six. 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 5th June 2026 : Cardiff Castle; a Gothic Dream.
Although there are traces of Roman fortifications and substantial remains of the medieval castle it is the Victorian work that makes the greatest impact on the visitor. William Burges designed here a romantic gothic house for the Marquis of Bute which was finished to the highest standards inside and out.
Friday 12th June 2026 : William Burges; Architect of Gothic Dreams.
Burges was not the most prolific Victorian architect, partly as he had a reputation for designing expensive buildings, but his designs that were built showed his deep understanding of medieval arts. This also extended into the decorative arts with furniture, tableware amongst his work. We will examine this fascinating man.
Friday 19th June 2026 : 3rd Marquis of Bute; Dreamer of Gothic Dreams.
John Patrick Crichton-Stuart inherited his title from his father in 1848 when only an infant and was raised by his mother in the knowledge that he would be immensely wealthy from his large estates, particularly those in Cardiff which included the docks. He developed a romantic interest in the Middle Ages which he was able to express in projects like rebuilding Cardiff Castle. He also caused a scandal in Victorian society by converting to Catholicism. We will look at the man and the sources of his wealth.
Friday 26th June 2026 : The Silver Jubilee Walkway VII, Westminster and St. James’s Park.
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 seventh section of this journey through London we will concentrate on the less obvious landmarks. These will include the memorial to George VI and Queen Elizabeth and the site of the Restoration cockpit.
Friday 3rd July 2026 : No Lecture.
Friday 10th July 2026 : A Glimpse of Late Victorian Farming.
Using the Farmer’s Almanack of 1888 we will see some of the challenges facing English agriculture in a time of increasing imports and some of the proposed solutions in new farming methods and inventions.
Friday 17th July 2026 : Thomas Gainsborough; Portraits and People.
Tate Britain is holding a major exhibition, until October, of Gainsborough’s work to mark the tercentenary of his birth. We will look at the ways in which he portrayed people ranging from members of his family to politicians to cultural figures.