News

Contents

  • Committee Vacancy – secretary
  • Next Talk – Thurs 19 Dec: Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders: Shadowy Conspiracies and Murky Plots 
  • Articles in the Independent – 4 September 2024
  • Article in the Independent – 14 August 2024
  • History Walk – 17 May 2024
  • New Publication – Bishop’s Stortford Yesterday & Today Revisited
  • Historic Environment Record viewer

Committee Vacancy – Secretary

We are looking for a new secretary for the committee.  We have an active chair plus a programme organiser and webmaster, so the main duty is providing minutes of the committee meetings, held about every 2 months.  If you are interested or would like further information, then please contact the chair, Tim Howard-Smith (bshschair@btinternet.com).

Next Talk – Thurs 19 Dec: Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders: Shadowy Conspiracies and Murky Plots 

In 1485 Henry Tudor emerged from the Battle of Bosworth victorious, having killed Richard III. But peace did not reign over England thereafter.  In this talk the myriad conspiracies and murky plots which sought to depose the first Tudor king will be examined, focusing on the three pretenders whose causes were fervently advanced by Yorkist dissidents – Lambert Simnel, Perkin Warbeck and Edward, Earl of Warwick. Just how close did the Tudors come to being overthrown long before the myth of their greatness had taken hold?

Articles in the Independent – 4 September 2024

The Society was featured in two articles forming a double page spread.  The first, entitled “Bishop’s Stortford History Society looks to the future and it’s 70th anniversary” highlighted the recently published “Bishop’s Stortford Yesterday & Today Revisited” and further publications, including a re-issue of the “Local History Chronicles” part I” and books on Waytmore Castle, the opening of the Stort Navigation in 1769 and its impact on the town, and a history of the Corn Exchange.  The second  article provided summary of the 2024-5 season of talks.  Follow the link for the full articles. 

Article in the Independent – 21 August 2024

The Independent published an article on the Society’s forthcoming book on the Corn Exchange, with a call out to share your Corn Exchange memories, so we can extend our oral history archive.  

History Walk – 17 May 2024

Tim Howard-Smith, Mike James and Chris Connell led a town history walk for the Library, as part of their Local History Week.  This was well supported, with a large waiting list.  This was subsequently reported in the Bishops Stortford Independent, in an article by Dr Gareth Oakland, under the title “From St Michael’s to the castle, via Betty’s brothel….”

New Publication – Bishop’s Stortford Yesterday and Today Revisited

We have revised and updated the original edition published in 1971, with new colour photographs, to complement the archive images.  This is now available and will be on sale at our meeting on 16 May, £5 (members) and £6 (non-members). 

Historic Environment Record viewer

Hertfordshire County Council has launched a new website – the Historic Environment Record viewer.

 
This provides access to resources relating to archaeological sites, finds and historic monuments within Hertfordshire. Clicking on an icon will give you information about buildings and sites, from finds of prehistoric flint tools, to medieval castles, to pillboxes from the Second World War. You can use the viewer to find out historic information about where you live! 
 

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