Beginning with the death of Edward I in 1307 and ending with the deposition of Richard II in 1399, Sceptred Isle is the story of a century told through the lives of the last Plantagenets, uncovering lesser-known voices and untold stories along the way. Through the epic drama of regicide, war, the prolonged spectre of the Black Death, religious antagonism, revolt and the end of a royal dynasty, we encounter the human stories behind a fractured monarchy, the birth of the struggle between Europeanism and nationalism, social rebellion and a global pandemic. Sceptred Isle is a thrilling narrative account of a century of revolution, shifting power and great change – social, political and cultural – shedding new light on a pivotal period of English history and the people who lived it.

Helen Carr is an award nominated writer, historian specialising in medieval history and public history. She is the author of two Times top ten best-selling books, The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and recently, the instant bestselling, Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century. She is also the co-author and editor of What is History, Now?: A follow up to What is History? (1961) by her great-grandfather, the historian, E.H Carr. Helen writes and reviews non-fiction for the TLS, The Spectator, The Telegraph amongst others and she hosts podcasts for Intelligence Squared. Helen is a royal historian for Global News Canada and has broadcast for CNN, NBC, Sky and CityTV covering the British Royal Family. Helen is an elected fellow of the Royal Historical Society and currently with Queen Mary University London.

First of all, Vikki Jenner, our host for this evening, will begin the evening by exploring St Torney’s Church, North Hill (Cornwall). Our churches cost on average £2,500 per year to keep them clean, carry out conservation work, conduct maintenance checks, and ensure they are in a safe condition for visitors to enjoy. Please help us to keep our churches open by donating a gift of £5 or £10. You can donate quickly and easily to any of the churches mentioned today by texting the numbers below or visiting our donation page. Your generous donation will help us to protect a beautiful part of local and national heritage.

Watch our film to learn more about this new vesting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_76TjcG-fkQ

You can make a donation to these churches by texting NHILL to 70191 to give £5, or 70191 to donate £10. Or donate via this link here: https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/get-involved/donation. Thank you.