Audio recordings of some of our talks from previous festivals, released throughout the years.

🎧 CNUT THE GREAT: KING OF THE ENGLISH

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This is a recording of Ryan Lavelle’s talk at Chalke Valley History Festival on Thursday 28th June 2018.

Cnut, or Canute, was King of England for nearly 20 years, dying in Dorset in 1035. A formidable figure, Cnut is one of the great ‘what ifs’ in English history. Ryan Lavelle, one of this country’s leading experts on Viking England, gives a fascinating account of a powerful nation builder whose Viking Empire could have permanently shifted 11th century England’s orbit to Scandinavia.

🎧 CAUGHT IN THE REVOLUTION: PETROGRAD 1917

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Speaking at CVHF in 2017, Helen Rappaport looks at the Russian Revolution from an entirely new perspective – that of a wide range of foreign nationals living in Petrograd in 1917 who witnessed history being made on the streets. Through their eyes we see Russian history in the making, revealing the unravelling of the revolution over the course of one single year in the heart of the war-torn capital.

🎧 Battle of Britain Spitfire Hero

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Audio from Geoff Wellum’s talk with James Holland at Chalk Valley History Festival on Saturday, 28th June 2014.

Geoff Wellum was a spitfire pilot throughout the Battle of Britain, flying and fighting in some of the fiercest aerial battles of that summer of 1940. More recently, he became the celebrated author of First Light, an astonishing memoir of those days. This was a rare public appearance and a very special event.

5 Minutes With.. Rana Mitter

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Rana Mitter, Professor of History and Politics of Modern China at the University of Oxford, talks to us about the importance of understanding China’s view of WW2.

5 Minutes with… Rana Mitter from Chalke Valley History Trust on Vimeo.

Henrietta Maria – The lost letters of Britain’s last Warrior Queen

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Best selling historian Leanda de Lisle talks about Henrietta Maria of France, queen consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland and loyal wife of King Charles I.

Leanda de Lisle is the highly acclaimed author of three books on the Tudors and Stuarts, including the bestselling The Sisters Who Would Be Queen and Tudor: The Family Story. A former weekly columnist on the Spectator, Guardian and Daily Express, she contributes to numerous national publications.

Leanda will be speaking about the White King at Chalke Valley History Festival on Saturday 30th June about the WHITE KING: CHARLES I – TRAITOR, MURDERER, MARTYR. Tickets are available here.

Ancient Oaks

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Julian Hight has travelled extensively in his quest to discover more about some of the world`s ancient trees – researching their history and the legends behind them, sourcing engravings and old photographs, as well as producing new documentation to tell the stories of these important trees . Here he celebrates a few specific ancient oak trees in the UK – calling for their preservation and also for the planting of new oaks.

Julian will be speaking at Chalke Valley History Festival 2018 about the ‘History and Legends of the World’s Ancient Trees’ on Saturday 30th June – tickets are available here.

Histrionics 2017

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For many, our history panel show is the highlight of the Festival. This video was taken at CVHF 2017 when we had Charlie Higson in the chair and John Sessions, Tracy Borman, Andy Zaltzman and Dan Snow on the panel.

Our ever-popular history panel show returns on Friday, 29th June 2018 with Fast Show comedian and author Charlie Higson as quizmaster. Returning team captains John Sessions and Dan Snow will be joined by Helen Castor and, for the first time, Al Murray. Sixty minutes of quickfire historical humour with new rounds and challenges for the teams. Tickets can be purchased here.

VIDEO: The Legends Of King Arthur

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At CVHF 2017, Tom Holland began a new series about the Legends of King Arthur, introducing us to the world of Merlin, the sword in the stone, and the round table. This epic storytelling has excitement, adventure and wit – oh, and magic too.

This year Tom will return to tell the Tale of Sir Lancelot, bringing his humour and own unique take on this ancient tale of heroism, love and betrayal. Tickets can be purchased here.

History Hub: Tom Holland – Legends of Arthur (CVHF 2017) from Chalke Valley History Trust on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Al Murray: Monty

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Al Murray may be best known for his comic creation, the Pub Landlord, but he is also a serious and passionate historian and student of  World War Two. In this event, filmed at Chalke Valley History Festival 2017,  he brings that immense knowledge to bear in defence of Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein, talks about the life, career, great victories and controversies of Britain’s most famous wartime general.

Al Murray: Monty (CVHF 2017) from Chalke Valley History Trust on Vimeo.

🎧 Schools Festival Audio: The Russian Revolution

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Audio from Chalke Valley History Festival for Schools 2017 with Helen Rappaport