The Tyrant of Derby: Sir John Gell and the Plunder of the High Peak - Talk

A Talk by Simon Fussell, 15th September 6 pm to 7.30 pm

When the English Civil War broke out in 1642, the rugged terrain of the High Peak turned into a fractured battleground. However, for Buxton and its neighbouring towns, the greatest danger didn't come from a royal army but rather from their own fellow residents.

Enter Sir John Gell: a Parliamentarian General, a lead-mining tycoon, and widely considered the wealthiest man in Derbyshire. With military power at his disposal, Gell spent the 1640s treating the Peak District as his private treasure trove, supply depot, and stage for personal vendettas. He conducted midnight cavalry raids to snatch crucial lead ore and shockingly desecrated his rivals' family tombs. Gell ruled the region with an iron grip that instilled fear in locals and frustrated his own commanders.

In this captivating 50-minute talk, we delve into the gritty realities of the Civil War, peeling away the grand myths to reveal a local tale filled with greed, occupation, and the struggle for political survival.

Timings

Tuesday 15 September:

6PM Start

Location & directions

Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre, Green Lane, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9DH

Directions:

Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre, Café at the Cavern. Parking is pay and display (free for Blue Badge holders and BCA Oak Members)

Contact on day:

Simon Fussell

Telephone number:

+44129826978

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Places must be booked in advance.

Alternative booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-tyrant-of-derby-sir-john-gell-and-the-plunder-of-the-high-peak-talk-tickets-1993000018706?aff=oddtdtcreator

Additional information

Max number of people:

40

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

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