Charlemagne 1200
EVENT: The legacy of Charlemagne will be
th
celebrated on the 1200 anniversary of his
death in London at King’s College.
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On the 28 of January 814, Charlemagne died in Aachen. Since then he has been widely recognised as a
key figure in European history. But what does he mean now? What does he still have to offer to
Europeans today, and more specifically to British Europeans?
In order to shed light on some of these questions, a public celebration of the legacy of Charlemagne is
organized by King’s College London, known for long-standing academic research into the life and times of
Charlemagne. Charlemagne’s legacy will be approached not just through texts, but also through the
senses: images, material culture, coins, and landscape.
The afternoon will finish with a requiem mass as it might have been heard in Charlemagne’s day, sung by
members of the King’s College London choir.
PROGRAMME:
1.30-2.10:
Registration
2.10-2.15:
London)
Welcome by Jinty Nelson (Dame Janet Nelson is Professor Eremitus at King’s College,
2.15-2.35:
Michael Wood: ‘Why study Charlemagne in the UK?’ (Michael Wood is historian and
broadcaster, known for his numerous documentary series on both British and World History. He is
currently holding a chair as professor of Public History at the University of Manchester)
2.35-2.45:
Questions
2.45–3.05:
Leslie Webster: ‘Material culture in the age of Charlemagne’ (Former keeper of the
Department of Prehistory and Europe, the British Museum and Honorary Visiting Professor, University
College London, Institute of Archaeology)
3.05-3.25:
Gareth Williams: ‘Charlemagne’s coinage’ (Gareth Williams is Curator of Early Medieval
Coins and currently working on curating the exhibition Vikings: life and legend, which will be showing at
the British Museum March 6-June 22, 2014)
3.30-3.50:
Jo Story: ‘Charlemagne’s epitaph’ (Joanna Stoy is professor of Early Medieval History at
Leicester University – –
3.50-4.00:
Questions
4.00-4.30:
Tea and coffee
4.30-5.15:
Interview with Jinty Nelson and Panel discussion
5.15-5.25:
David Trendell: ‘The requiem mass of Charlemagne’. (David Trendell is lecturer in Music
at King’s College, London and Choir director at King’s College.)
5.25-5.30:
Move to the Chapel
5.30-6.00:
Charlemagne’s death: a reading from Theganus and a requiem Mass
6.00-7.00:
Drinks in the History Dept 8th floor Strand. A few words from the Principal
SOURCE:
Charlemagne: the First 1200 Years
King’s College, Great Hall
28.01.2014
Free admission, though places are limited: please register here
FEATURED IMAGE:
Charlemagne’s epitaph
READ MORE:
Read some of the presentations, listen to podcasts and – not least – enjoy the concert