HistFest

Event image Text: Sir Michael Palin: Travels Through Time. 5PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. In conversation with Rebecca Rideal. HistFest 2026.

📣 SIR MICHAEL PALIN: TRAVELS THROUGH TIME

5PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY

Join Sir Michael Palin for a special evening exploring his extraordinary career on screen and on the page through the lens of history.

Part of #HistFest2026 histfest.org/histfest-2026/

Event image Text: BIRTH, MOTHERHOOD AND CUSTODY: AN UNTOLD HISTORY. 11AM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. PROF. PRAGYA AGARWAL IN CONVERSATION WITH LUCY INGLIS AND PROF. LARA FEIGEL. HISTFEST 2026. Image: Headshots of Lucy Inglis, Pragya Agarwal and Lara Feigel against a purple, yellow and pink background.

Event image Text: THE LOG BOOKS: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened. 1PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. DAN VO IN CONVERSATION WITH TASH WALKER AND ADAM ZMITH. HISTFEST 2026. Image: Headshots of Tash Walker, Adam Zmith and Dan Vo against an orange background.

Event image Text: THE BRONTE SISTERS. 3PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. GREG JENNER IN CONVERSATION WITH DR TARA PURI AND ESSIE FOX. HISTFEST 2026. Image: Headshots of Greg Jenner, Tara Puri and Essie Fox against a background of heather.

Event image Text: Sir Michael Palin: Travels Through Time. 5PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. In conversation with Rebecca Rideal. HistFest 2026. Image: An image of Michael Palin against a blue background.

BOOK NOW histfest.org/histfest-2026/ #HistFest2026 2/2

Event image Text: Pharaohs and Empresses. 11AM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. Sofia Robleda and Saara El-Arifi. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshots of Sofia Robleda and Saara El-Arifi against a green and gold background.

Event image Text: Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’s Naval Mastermind. 1PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. A Special Lecture with Prof. Michael Scott. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshot of Michael Scott, next to a photo of a bust of Themistocles. Against a blue, wave-like background.

Event image Text: THE LOST VOICES OF POMPEII. 3PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. Dr Jess Venner and Raksha Dave. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshots of Dr Jess Venner and Raksha Dave with original artwork for Pompeii in the background.

Event image Text: LIVING HISTORY WITH RUTH GOODMAN. 5PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. Chaired by Dr Wanda Wyporska. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshots of Ruth Goodman and Dr Wanda Wyporska against a brown and yellow background.

📣 HISTFEST 2026 | BRITISH LIBRARY | 18-19 APRIL

We’re thrilled to share full details of HistFest 2026 at the British Library.

BOOK NOW histfest.org/histfest-2026/ #HistFest2026 1/2

If you’re part of a company, institution or other body and you’re interested in sponsorships or partnerships with @histfest.bsky.social, do get in touch.

We’d love to hear from you! histfest.org/contactus/

Event image Text: BIRTH, MOTHERHOOD AND CUSTODY: AN UNTOLD HISTORY. 11AM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. PROF. PRAGYA AGARWAL IN CONVERSATION WITH LUCY INGLIS AND PROF. LARA FEIGEL. HISTFEST 2026. Image: Headshots of Lucy Inglis, Pragya Agarwal and Lara Feigel against a purple, yellow and pink background.

Event image Text: THE LOG BOOKS: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened. 1PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. DAN VO IN CONVERSATION WITH TASH WALKER AND ADAM ZMITH. HISTFEST 2026. Image: Headshots of Tash Walker, Adam Zmith and Dan Vo against an orange background.

Event image Text: THE BRONTE SISTERS. 3PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. GREG JENNER IN CONVERSATION WITH DR TARA PURI AND ESSIE FOX. HISTFEST 2026. Image: Headshots of Greg Jenner, Tara Puri and Essie Fox against a background of heather.

Event image Text: Sir Michael Palin: Travels Through Time. 5PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. In conversation with Rebecca Rideal. HistFest 2026. Image: An image of Michael Palin against a blue background.

BOOK NOW histfest.org/histfest-2026/ #HistFest2026 2/2

Event image Text: Pharaohs and Empresses. 11AM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. Sofia Robleda and Saara El-Arifi. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshots of Sofia Robleda and Saara El-Arifi against a green and gold background.

Event image Text: Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’s Naval Mastermind. 1PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. A Special Lecture with Prof. Michael Scott. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshot of Michael Scott, next to a photo of a bust of Themistocles. Against a blue, wave-like background.

Event image Text: THE LOST VOICES OF POMPEII. 3PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. Dr Jess Venner and Raksha Dave. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshots of Dr Jess Venner and Raksha Dave with original artwork for Pompeii in the background.

Event image Text: LIVING HISTORY WITH RUTH GOODMAN. 5PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY. Chaired by Dr Wanda Wyporska. HistFest 2026. Image: Headshots of Ruth Goodman and Dr Wanda Wyporska against a brown and yellow background.

📣 HISTFEST 2026 | BRITISH LIBRARY | 18-19 APRIL

We’re thrilled to share full details of HistFest 2026 at the British Library.

BOOK NOW histfest.org/histfest-2026/ #HistFest2026 1/2

The bottom of the image had speaker headshots, including Sir Michael Palin (left), Saara El-Arifi (top centre), Sofia Robleda (bottom centre), Ruth Goodman (top right) and Tash Walker and Adam Zmith (bottom right). The top of the image has the following text: HistFest 2026. 18-19 | British Library. Image credits: Michael Palin © John Swannell, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith © Jade Smith, Saara El-Arifi © Mustafa Raee

HistFest is back!

We’re thrilled to share details of HistFest 2026. From Ancient Greek naval commanders and Egyptian queens to the history of motherhood and LGBTQ+ social histories – this year, we bring you a raft of fascinating histories and speakers.

Book now! histfest.org/histfest-2026/

Raksha Dave and Ruth Goodman are both going to be there

Do I want to spend like a week in London?

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra? The Egyptian queen has fascinated me from childhood, but following the archives led only to ancient gossip and Roman propaganda. Fiction was the way to liberate her from misogynist myth

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra? Excellent piece from Saara El-Arifi, who’ll be speaking at #HistFest2026 on 18 April. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...

The bottom of the image had speaker headshots, including Sir Michael Palin (left), Saara El-Arifi (top centre), Sofia Robleda (bottom centre), Ruth Goodman (top right) and Tash Walker and Adam Zmith (bottom right). The top of the image has the following text: HistFest 2026. 18-19 | British Library. Image credits: Michael Palin © John Swannell, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith © Jade Smith, Saara El-Arifi © Mustafa Raee

Book your tickets now! histfest.org/histfest-2026/

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra? The Egyptian queen has fascinated me from childhood, but following the archives led only to ancient gossip and Roman propaganda. Fiction was the way to liberate her from misogynist myth

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra? Excellent piece from Saara El-Arifi, who’ll be speaking at #HistFest2026 on 18 April. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...

Rule Britannia: Queens, Power, Thrones From the Tudors to the twentieth century, join leading historians Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis and Rebecca Rideal for an absorbing study day spotlighting queens who ruled in their own rig...

📣 RULE BRITANNIA: QUEENS, POWER, THRONES
Sat 7 March | University of Oxford

Come and join Professor Kate Williams, Dr Nicola Tallis and myself in Oxford for a special study day exploring all things queens.

There’s still time to sign up lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/rule...

Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’s Naval Mastermind
1PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY

Join Prof. Michael Scott for a special lecture exploring the life & legend of Themistocles - one of ancient Greece's greatest heroes.

Part of #HistFest2026. Book now events.bl.uk/events/histf...

Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’s Naval Mastermind
1PM, SAT 18 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY

Join Prof. Michael Scott for a special lecture exploring the life & legend of Themistocles - one of ancient Greece's greatest heroes.

Part of #HistFest2026. Book now events.bl.uk/events/histf...

Meet the Ton: The real history of fashionable society in Georgian London A four-week online course exploring 18th- and 19th-century London high society

Are you ready to Meet the Ton?

Join author, academic and historical advisor Professor Hannah Greig for a fascinating four week online course exploring all things Georgian London. Sign up www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-t...

I’m looking forward to hosting this Brontë event with two great writers 👇

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Tickets to HistFest 2026
Is what they want from you… events.bl.uk/events/histf...

The Brontë Sisters: Lives & Legacies
3PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY

Join public historian Greg Jenner in conversation with literary scholar Dr Tara Puri & historical novelist Essie Fox to explore literature's most famous siblings.

Part of #HistFest2026. Book now events.bl.uk/events/histf...

The Brontë Sisters: Lives & Legacies
3PM, SUN 19 APRIL | BRITISH LIBRARY

Join public historian Greg Jenner in conversation with literary scholar Dr Tara Puri & historical novelist Essie Fox to explore literature's most famous siblings.

Part of #HistFest2026. Book now events.bl.uk/events/histf...

Meet the Ton: The real history of fashionable society in Georgian London A four-week online course exploring 18th- and 19th-century London high society

Are you ready to Meet the Ton?

Join author, academic and historical advisor Professor Hannah Greig for a fascinating four week online course exploring all things Georgian London. Sign up www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-t...

Hurrah!

Small Prophets review – Mackenzie Crook’s magical new comedy is pure, pure pleasure Wonder lies below the surface of this truly fantastic sitcom from the creator of Detectorists. It’s an impossible marvel of TV making

Detectorists fans, rejoice! Five stars for Mackenzie Crook’s new series.

Really excited to host one of its stars - SIR MICHAEL PALIN - at #HistFest2026 in April. @histfest.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Got your HistFest tix yet? 🎟️📚

18-19 April at the British Library and around the world (I think?) online. More speakers to be announced soon!

Learn things, have a nice time, buy some books, maybe a coffee or wine!

And also Michael Palin Michael Palin Michael Palin ⏬

histfest.org/histfest-2026/

Sketch of Bill Richmond watching Molyneaux - two Black Georgian boxers - at the fight billed as 'The Battle Between Cribb and Molineaux' 1811

Celebrating the forthcoming blue plaque to Tom Molineaux and Bill Richmond at the National Gallery, I'm proud to be joining a panel with Tony Warner (Black History Walks), Roberto Nigro, Luke G. Williams & S.I Martin at UCL! 👊 Apr 15 - FREE tix #AThousandBlows

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/champion-b...

If you're in or near London, @histfest.bsky.social at @britishlibrary.bsky.social is a great history festival!

💙📚 🗃

Join us (and SIR MICHAEL PALIN) at the British Library 18-19 April! Go go go for tickets. £35 for a full day (four talks / panels) or £55 for both days. Or all online too >>

histfest.org/histfest-2026

More speakers to be announced soon.

@rebeccarideal.bsky.social is SO GOOD at this!!!

📜🏳️‍🌈🗺️🛶🤰🏽

Hi Duncan, just spotted your book. Will DM.

The bottom of the image had speaker headshots, including Sir Michael Palin (left), Saara El-Arifi (top centre), Sofia Robleda (bottom centre), Ruth Goodman (top right) and Tash Walker and Adam Zmith (bottom right). The top of the image has the following text: HistFest 2026. 18-19 | British Library. Image credits: Michael Palin © John Swannell, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith © Jade Smith, Saara El-Arifi © Mustafa Raee

HistFest is back!

We’re thrilled to share details of HistFest 2026. From Ancient Greek naval commanders and Egyptian queens to the history of motherhood and LGBTQ+ social histories – this year, we bring you a raft of fascinating histories and speakers.

Book now! histfest.org/histfest-2026/

An image with a cream background and the following text: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 10AM 21/01/2026. HISTFEST.

You do not want to miss this…

An image with a cream background and the following text: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 10AM 21/01/2026. HISTFEST.

You do not want to miss this…