Patricia Wright - lecturer on medieval subjects and the history of Buckingham Palace.

Patricia Wright
Sussex

Patricia Wright qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and later studied by open learning at London University, gaining a first class honours degree in History. She has published a number of articles and books, both fiction and non-fiction, including one which won the Georgette Heyer Historical Novel prize. Another became alternate Book Society Choice in America. She has taught part-time and served for sixteen years as a County Councillor. Her talks are aimed to amuse as well as to interest a variety of audiences, and can be adjusted to suit particular needs. All are normally given without illustration, but slides are available if required.

Topic:- History

Illustrated talk:
The Strange History of Buckingham Palace
We learn about kings and queens who have lived there, see its splendid position at the heart of fashionable London, and now at last there is a chance to visit inside this famous building. Did you know that the Duke of Wellington described it as 'a monstrous insult to the nation'. Or that a witch lived where the forecourt now is? Then there is the matter of exploding bosoms, mentioned in an 18th Century letter, and the many earlier, fascinating buildings on the site, nearly all of which were the result of dishonest land dealings. Even the vintners of Westminster once marched out with 'roaring drums and girded swords' during the Civil War to build a fort beside the present terrace and, unknown to puritan killjoys, a clandestine pleasure park and haunt of courtesans grew up where the royal apartments are today.

Talks:-

Strange Tales and Ghosts from Buckingham Palace's past - An amusing hour with the unexpected.
Royal London - An entertaining tour through the past including St James's, Whitehall, Westminster, as well as Buckingham Palace.
Meet your Medieval Ancestors - fashion, flirting, feasting and insights, all bringing our predecessors to life.
Upstairs and downstairs on an old landed estate - personal recollections from a now vanishing world.
The Wonderful Mediterranean: cradle of civilizations - A fascinating tour through this unique meeting place of peoples and cultures. Particularly suitable for cruises.
Only Yesterday : The courts of Europe before Victoria - For centuries these formed a stage for extravagance, power, patronage of the arts - and back-stabbing.
A European Treasure Trail - Sit back and enjoy some supreme achievements, from architecture to jewellery, manuscripts to embroidery. (This talk does need slides)