Buckden Learning Group

Course Description: The Origin and Development of the Fens: 400,000 years ago to the present day. This short course will cover the geology, geography, history and drainage of the Fens. It will also consider the impact of climate change, environmental issues and government policy on the future of this unique environment.

Course Description: England under Elizabeth 1 was a vibrant and colourful country which laid many of the foundations of the modern state. It provided a lengthy period of relative calm after the religious and political upheavals of the preceding 25 years. As well as becoming influential in European affairs, England embarked on overseas exploration which later led to Britain becoming a world power. The course takes a thematic approach and examines religion, the cult of Gloriana, major personalities, threats to security, the development of the theatre and life in both city and country.

Course Description: : The tensions and conflicts in the Middle East are so often on our TV screens - and of course the situation is far from new, with roots that stretch back far into history. Join Simon for this 12-week course exploring the history of the Middle East from 1917 through to the early C21, through periods of crisis, conflict and change. From the closing months of the First World War, through the period of the British Mandate and the involvement of the United Nations and on to the creation of the State of Israel in the mid-C20, we will trace the tides and currents of history. We will go on to explore both the further conflicts, and the attempts at finding peaceful resolutions to those conflicts, through the 1950s up until 2012. Please note that this is primarily a history programme, and whilst we will of course be exploring the factors which give rise to the current tragedies unfolding in the region, this will not be a forum for political debate on current affairs or conflicts.

Course Description: Titus Andronicus may be Shakespeare’s goriest play! It has certainly been labelled Shakespeare's worst play, to the point where some critics believe it's not by him. The sessions will examine how the themes and language and characters in this play anticipate much in Shakespeare's later work, setting a template for his tragedies. At the suggestion of our Huntingdon based sister group we are running this course in 2027 to enhance people’s understanding of this play. These sessions are independent from the Shakespeare at the Towers group who will be performing the play at Buckden Towers in 2027.

Course Description: The dynastic struggle for the throne of England that shook the country to the core in the 15th century is regularly depicted in fiction. But was the classic division into the house of Lancaster and York as straightforward as it sounds? Who were the major players and behind the scenes influencers? Was allegiance fixed or flexible? Who were the women supporting their more famous menfolk and what of the ordinary people of England, How were their lives impacted by the doings of the nobles? Taking a different theme each week, This short course will seek to answer these questions and others.