Three free talks will explore the rich history of Walmgate in York over the coming weeks.
The talks, to be held in St Denys Church in Walmgate, will explore fascinating facets of local life through the centuries.
In the first talk, York-based historian Charles Kightly throws light on the relationships, daily lives and beliefs in late-mediaeval and Tudor Walmgate.
He will draw on the remarkable parishoners’ wills preserved in the Borthwick Institute to tell these stories of remarkable characters and their times.
The second talk by Sarah Shiels looks at the Irish people who settled in and around Walmgate.
Arriving as refugees from the Great Hunger of the 1840s, or later as economic migrants, the Irish found work here and stayed.
Sarah will explore how, although sometimes set apart by religion and culture, they were integrated into the community, becoming an accepted part of York’s heritage.
Finally, Shannon Kirshner of York’s Liberal Jewish Community will gives an overview of the city’s Jewish history from the 18th century to the present day.
Her talk starts with one of the most infamous incidents in York’s history: the 1190 massacre of the city’s Jewish population in Clifford’s Tower, on the edge of Walmgate.
She will be joined by Rose Berl who grew up in York as the daughter of a Jewish Holocaust survivor who was twice given sanctuary in our city.
The talks
- Monday May 16: Life in Mediaeval Walmgate – Charles Kightly
- Monday June 13: The Irish in York – Sarah Shiels
- Monday July 4: York’s Jewish Community – Shannon Kirshner & Rose Berl
These free talks start at 6pm. Each will be BSL signed and refreshments are available. For further details email [email protected].