Fascinating history talks series to celebrate 400th anniversary of King Charles I’s ascension, as part of National Civil War Centre, Newark, 2025 events programme

A museum will host a series of special events and talks to mark 400 years since King Charles I ascended to the throne.

Throughout 2025 The National Civil War Centre, on Appletongate, Newark, will mark the 400th anniversary of the historic event as part of its newly released programme.

• An insight into life at Charles I’s royal court can be gained in the first talk of the year, on Thursday, January 23, ‘Masques, Music and Mayhem: Dance in Stuart England’.

The talk will explore the importance of dance in the Stuart world, offering an understanding of royalty and party culture in the period.

• On Friday, January 31, the Centre’s Tudor Hall will become Westminster Hall for an interactive performance event recreating the trial of King Charles I.

This event is suitable for all ages over 12, and audience members will be able to take part in the trial and decide for themselves if they would sign the warrant to execute a King.

• Then on Thursday, February 14, a fascinating talk will interrogate whether Charles I was to blame for the Civil War, which ended in his execution and the establishment of a republic.

Dr Jonathan Fitzgibbons, Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Lincoln, will examine if Charles can be blamed for his own fate.

• Friday, March 7, will see a shift in focus to an important local woman, Lucy Hutchinson, in honour of International Women’s Day.

She was a poet, translator and biographer, married to Newark’s arch enemy, John Hutchinson, Governor of Nottingham during the Civil War and regicide.

The talk will uncover the story of this 17th century ‘power couple’ and challenge beliefs about women in this period.

• Another king is the focus of a talk on Saturday, April 5, when the Centre will welcome some of the team responsible for the discovery of King Richard III in a car park in Leicester.

The remarkable find inspired news and media coverage across the world and offered unprecedented new insights into the Battle of Bosworth.

This event will take place immediately following the ‘King in a Car Park’-themed Family Saturday on the same day.

• One of the museum’s most striking exhibits, Sir Thomas Fairfax’s wheelchair, is the inspiration for a talk on Thursday, April 24.

The dramatic and action-packed life of its owner, the general who won the Civil War, is revealed alongside grisly details of his injuries.

• Finally, an eye-opening evening will put the focus back on Charles I, on Friday, May 23, as the lens shifts to his military command and his Royalist army’s Siege of Leicester.

The brutal sacking, in May 1645, caused outrage throughout the nation and was a major factor in his ultimate downfall.

Archaeologist Mathew Morris will explore new archaeological evidence which is helping to reappraise what happened.

Portfolio holder for heritage, culture and the arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, Rowan Cozens, said: “Over the past year, the museum has received great acclaim for its family activities, winning the national Family Friendly Museum Award for Best Small Museum.

“However, they really do offer something for all ages and whether you’re young or old, a keen historian, a student or just have a passing interest, these talks will offer a truly fascinating insight into an extremely important period of UK history.”

Tickets for all events are priced at £10, or £3 for Friends of the National Civil War Centre – Newark Museum.

This excludes the Richard III talk, which is reduced to £5 with free admission for under 25s.

Bookings can be made online through the National Civil War Centre’s website or by calling 01636 655765.

Regular entry to the museum is now free for Newark and Sherwood residents.