HISTORY COURSES
Welcome to our History section! We offer a wide range of classes for you to explore and learn from. Take a look at our selection and find the perfect fit for your interests and schedule.
We can't wait to see you in class!
Highwaymen,
Rogues and Pirates
During the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, lawless men and women carved out a notorious reputation as they roamed both the land and the high seas. These individuals, often driven by desperation or a thirst for adventure, became infamous for their daring exploits, engaging in piracy, smuggling, and various forms of rebellion against authority. Figures who captured the imagination of the public, embodying the spirit of freedom and defiance. Their stories reflect a tumultuous era marked by conflict and the pursuit of fortune, leaving a legacy that continues to fascinate us today.
Some Famous Medieval
Kings & Queens of Britain.
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Explore the captivating and often overlooked history of Early Britain.
Discover the stories of remarkable rulers like Alfred the Great, King Canute, and William the Conqueror, who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation.
Uncover the legacy of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, Welsh counterpart to Alfred, and learn about the Dane who once ruled all of England. Join us on this journey through time to understand how these influential figures have left their mark on a rich history.
Georgian Nottinghamshire:
Country Houses, China Tea and Dancing the Quadrille!
This course explores the impact of the Georgian period on the landscape and culture of Nottinghamshire. Discover how the 18th century ‘garden town’ of ‘Nottingham’ was transformed into an industrial hub, how country houses sprang up all over the county and how the gentry and merchant classes discovered leisure. They drank tea, danced the quadrille and occasionally journeyed to spas and seaside resorts. But there was another Georgian Nottinghamshire that was rooted in restrictive Poor Law settlement laws, seasonal farm work, crime and the miseries of child labour. These 5 sessions will reveal these themes using archive sources, printed books and images of the period.
Chris Weir is a well-known local history author who has written many books on the history of Nottingham and the County. He has led and contributed to many heritage projects and is a member of Nottinghamshire Local History Association and the Nottingham Civic Society.
Brushstrokes of History
New 2025 Course
"A look at paintings that depict important historical events or simply reveal fascinating aspects of contemporary society.
This is a history course rather than an art history course but art is very much at its centre.
We will look at the Dutch "Golden Age" centred on Amsterdam and the great works of Rembrandt and other artists working there.
We will also examine Renaissance Italy, the driving forces behind it, the rivalries and even wars between city states, and the paintings of Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and others who flourished as artists at this time.
We'll also cover American art from 1850 to 1950, a period during which the United States moved on from the devastating Civil War, when it was still largely a rural country, to being an industrial giant with a predominantly urbanised population."
Brushstrokes of History
The Crusades – God’s War.
The course will aim to gain an appreciation of the significance of the 'Crusades’ , their enduring legacy and to demonstrate the complexity of relationships between co-religionists, both Christian and Muslim.
This course will consider the origins of the crusades, the role of the papacy in forging a new interest in the Holy Land and the Muslim Jihadi response. It will consider how Christians and Muslims perceived each other and how war was waged between them. The events of the first three crusades will be examined in relation to key figures, success or failure and changing interpretations and attitudes. The role of the military orders, such as the Templars and Hospitallers, will also be studied and will question how their rise challenged attitudes towards orthodoxy and stimulated the popular imagination. Finally, consideration will also be given to whether what we think about the crusades really matters today; from Walter Scott to Ridley Scott.
The History of the Moving Image
Join us as we explore the fascinating history of the moving image. From the invention of optical toys to the emergence of talking pictures, this journey highlights the groundbreaking achievements of early film. Discover how these innovations transformed storytelling and laid the foundation for the vibrant film industry we know today. Let’s celebrate the magic of cinema together!
Social History and Satire in Musicals
This is a history course based on some of the best-known musicals and operettas. Writers of these works often dealt with complex social, political and historical issues while providing an entertaining show with great songs. Show Boat, described as the first true musical, is set segregation in the southern states of America after the abolition of slavery; racial tensions also feature in West Side Story and South Pacific, two of the musicals that represented a major change in the style of musicals in post-Second World War America. The politics and society of Paris in the 19th century form the background to Les Misérables, and other musicals and operettas have also focused on Paris. Also covered in the course is the strange censorship of the Hollywood Production Code and how it affected musicals in particular. With slides and musical excerpts
Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” — Albert Einstein