Royal Armouries launches ‘Thursdays at Three’ a fortnightly afternoon lecture series based on its world-renowned collection

Armet – The Horned Helmet (1512)

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is set to launch a series of special afternoon lectures based on its world-famous collection of arms and armour.

The fortnightly*lectures will be free to attend and launch on Thursday 4 October from 3 – 4 pm. Topics covered will include the mysterious Horned Helmet of Henry VIII, Franz Ferdinand and the era of assassination, the Iraqi supergun project, and the death of Richard III.

Royal Armouries has three museums across the United Kingdom, at Leeds, Fort Nelson in Hampshire and the Tower of London. It cares for one of the most important national collections of arms and armour in the world, with its history dating as far back as the Middle Ages. Its collection comprises approximately 75,000 objects, including a remarkable range of swords, armour, artillery, firearms and more.

Commenting on the lecture series, Laura Bell, Director of Collections, said: “We are delighted to launch this special series of lectures. Our curators and conservators are some of the leading authorities in their fields and our collections include some of the most extraordinary pieces of arms and armou

r in the world. The lectures will give attendees an opportunity to explore the treasures of our collections, as well as question our experts and learn about the important work that goes on behind-the-scenes at our sites.”

Upcoming lectures:
4 October: The Horned Helmet of Henry VIII with Graeme Rimer, Curator Emeritus
18 October: The history of the Royal Armouries collection with Laura Bell, Director of Collections
1 November: Franz Ferdinand and the era of assassination with Lisa Traynor, Curator of Firearms
15 November: Early machine guns with Peter Smithurst, Curator Emeritus
6 December: The truth behind the Iraqi supergun project with Mark Murray-Flutter, Senior Curator & Analyst
10 January: Musket or mistress? The real meaning of ‘Brown Bess’ with Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery
24 January: ‘Killed the boar, shaved his head’: The death of Richard III with Robert Woosnam-Savage, Curator of Armour & European Edged Weapons
7 February: Conserving the treasures of the Royal Armouries with Lauren Piper and Ellie Rowley-Conwy, Conservators
21 February: Samurai armour in Tokugawa Japan with Natasha Bennett, Curator of Oriental Collections
7 March: With bayonet, sword and lance: The edged weapons of Waterloo with Henry Yallop, Keeper of Armour & Edged Weapons
21 March: Arms and armour of the British Civil Wars with Keith Dowen, Assistant Curator of European Armour

Further details about the upcoming lectures can be found on the Royal Armouries website.

*The majority of the lectures will take place fortnightly except for those taking place in December 2018.
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