A History of Royal Funerals by Dr Helen Frisby

Location: Wedmore Village Hall, Wedmore

Organiser: Wedmore Festival

Website

This talk with Dr Helen Frisby, author of the Shire book Traditions of Death and Burial, explores royal funeral customs from Anglo-Saxon times to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Some royal funeral customs remain virtually unchanged down the centuries, while others have evolved along with changing ideas about royal power and general social mores. Meanwhile many monarchs have added their own personal touches to their funerals, and of course accidents happen too – so why do only some of these then become ‘traditions’?  In answering this question we get to the heart of why funerals matter at all.

Helen has taught history at the University of the West of England, Bristol, and funeral directing at the University of Bath where she’s also a Visiting Research Fellow. Hon. Secretary of The Folklore Society, Helen has appeared on The History Channel and BBC radio. She continues to research and publish on topics relating to death, funerals and bereavement, past and present. 

Helen will be signing and selling her book after the event.

There is also an option to buy a ticket that includes lunch and join the speaker and join Helen afterwards at a private house.