Winchester Women: Power, Courage & Justice
United Church, Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8RZ
Winchester Heroines
History and heritage are inseparable, and Winchester is filled with stories that span centuries. This engaging talk explores the lives of three extraordinary women who each left a lasting mark on the city between the 10th and 17th centuries.
The talk begins with Emma, the Saxon queen who lived to see her son, Edward the Confessor, crowned in 1042, restoring her dynasty after a period of Danish rule. It then follows the dramatic struggle of Empress Matilda, whose claim to the throne was challenged during the years of civil war known as The Anarchy, before her son eventually became King Henry II in 1154. Finally, the talk examines the tragic story of Alice Lisle, an elderly widow wrongly accused of treason and executed in Winchester during the Bloody Assizes of 1685 under Judge Jeffreys.
Through these stories, the talk explores themes of power, resilience, justice, and memory, while reflecting on how history itself is shaped through surviving evidence and interpretation.
The speaker, Garry, is a local historian and author who has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. A keen amateur historian with a particular interest in early medieval England, he has written three books on the history of Winchester and brings both enthusiasm and insight to the city’s remarkable past.
Timings
- Saturday 12 September:
- 13.30
Location & directions
United Church, Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8RZ
- Directions:
- The talk will be held in the upstairs Sanctuary.
- Contact on day:
- Mesh Kuszyk
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking preferred
- Booking conditions:
- Pre-booking is preferred due the capacity of the venue
- Booking contact name:
- Hampshire History Trust
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampshire-history-trust
- Booking opens:
- 27 Aug 2026 09:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 11 Sep 2026 03:00 PM
Accessibility details
The talk will be held in the upstairs hall, which can be accessed by a small flight of stairs or an access ramp located towards the rear of the building.
Additional information
- Max number of people:
- 200
- Estimated duration:
- 1 hour(s)
