History Day Fundraiser

Six of Devon's top historians share their research on the history of the county.

A whole day of talks for just £10. Tickets are non-refundable

10.15am Prof. Mark Stoyle, ‘A Tudor Tragedy: The Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549’

Mark Stoyle grew up in mid-Devon, and, after leaving school, worked for a time as a field archaeologist in Exeter. He is currently Professor of early modern History at the University of Southampton, and has particular research interests in the English Civil War; in witchcraft; and in Tudor rebellions. He has written many books and articles, including Witchcraft in Exeter (The Mint Press, 2017). His latest book - A Murderous Midsummer: The Western Rising of 1549 - was published by Yale University Press in 2022. Mark has served on the Council of the Royal Historical Society, on the advisory board of the Victoria County History and on the editorial advisory panel of BBC History Magazine. He has also appeared on more than 60 radio and TV programmes.

11am John Allan, ‘Recent Discoveries at Exeter Cathedral’

John Allan is the Consultant Archaeologist of Exeter Cathedral, Archaeological Adviser to Glastonbury Abbey, past President of the Devonshire Association and of the Devon Archaeological Society and former Joint Editor of the journal Post-Medieval Archaeology. For twenty years (1984–2004) he was Curator of Antiquities of Exeter City Museums. He has published many papers on different aspects of the medieval and later archaeology of South-West England.

11.45 - Break 

12.10pm Derek Gore, ‘Defeat, Disaster and Triumph: Exeter, Alfred and The Great Viking Army’

Derek retired fourteen years ago from the Department of Archaeology, University of Exeter. He taught continuing education classes for some years and was a pioneer in developing distance learning courses in Roman and Early Medieval archaeology. Later he moved into the internal department as a teaching fellow specialising in the Viking Age. He continues to give lectures to local groups and runs short courses for Devon Archaeological Society members.

1.00 - Lunch Break

1.30pm Dr Stuart Blaylock, ‘Exeter’s City Walls’

Stuart Blaylock is an independent scholar specialising in the study of historic buildings (inter alia) churches, houses, castles and other defensive structures, and in near-eastern archaeology. He has been based in Devon for much of his professional life and works throughout the south-west region and beyond, and has published widely in his fields of interest, most recently Rougemont Castle, Exeter with Dr Robert Higham.

2.15pm Dr Richard Parker, ‘Medieval Bishops’ Palaces in Devon: Exeter, Chudleigh, Paignton, Bishopsteignton & Clyst Gabriel’

A freelance historic buildings archaeologist and consultant, specialising in recording and interpreting buildings of all periods, and producing researched, archaeologically-informed reconstruction drawings. For the past thirty years, Richard has recorded a range of buildings, produced reports, and illustrations for many different clients. These include The National Trust, Exeter Cathedral, The University of Cambridge, The University of Exeter, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, also many museums and local authorities. Richard frequently delivers lectures, talks, gives tours and conference presentations for the public and for specialist audiences. In addition to being widely published in archaeological journals and academic monographs, Richard is an active committee member of the Devon Buildings Group and a trustee of the Exeter Historic Buildings Trust.

3.00 - Break

3.30pm Dr Todd Gray, ‘Torquay’s Topographical Art, 1600-1900'

Dr Todd Gray MBE is an Honorary Fellow at Exeter University and past President of the Devonshire Association and of the Devon Family History Society. He is the author of more than fifty books on aspects of the history of Devon.