Delve into history

Explore the events of the past, and how they’ve shaped the world we live in today. Immerse yourself in different eras, marvel at historic achievements, and examine how different things could have been.  

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All of our courses are designed to help develop your skills in historical research and analysis, encouraging you to look beyond the surface of key historical moments. From the history of King Arthur to World War I and II, you’ll develop a better understanding of key historic customs, beliefs, and ways of life.   

Whether you consider yourself a history buff with decades of experience, or someone just starting out that wants to learn more, you can choose from a wide selection of topics.   

Attend a WEA history course near you  

A variety of our history courses are taught in-person or are delivered online - it all depends on what suits your needs best. From the comfort of your own home to a space in your local community. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is vastly experienced.   

The support you’ll receive on our history courses  

They'll help you develop an understanding that goes beyond just what's on the surface, all within a friendly and encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with many of those attending our courses going on to achieve incredible things. You’ll learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you too, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have. 

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Humanities: Day School: What is a ‘Free and Fair’ Election?

In 2024, over 70 countries, including the UK, will hold national elections. This course examines what constitutes a democratic election, delving into franchise, electoral systems, and election delivery. While focusing on the UK, it also uses international examples to illustrate the concepts of 'free' and 'fair' elections. Students will engage critically with contemporary debates about election quality and integrity worldwide.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 07/12/2024 -
Sat 07/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (King's Lynn)
38 Bridge Street
King's Lynn
PE30 5AB
Tutor:
Nicky Turner
Course code:
Q00017667
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

History: Rediscovering the Great War’s Christmas Truce

The Christmas Truce is one of the most mythologised and celebrated events of the First World War, which has featured in film, song and fiction. In this one-off session, we will attempt to uncover the actual story behind the event, exploring the truce or truces through letters, reports, photographs and retrospective accounts. The course will be interesting to those with an interest in the Great War, and the manner in which that conflict has been interpreted in the century since its ending, but the course will also appeal to those with an interest in how societies shape and define themselves by their myths.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 07/12/2024 -
Sat 07/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00019614
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Humanities: Christmas for Curmudgeons? Why gift-giving is wasteful (if you’re an economist)

Christmas is a time for giving: but is it really a good idea? Wouldn’t it be better if you just bought something for yourself that would bring you joy, and didn’t have to worry about getting presents for other people, which they might just regift anyway? Why do economists act like Grinches? How can we save Christmas from the Bah!Humbug! Brigade?

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 07/12/2024 -
Sat 07/12/2024
Times:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jonathan Warner
Course code:
Q00019895
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

History: History of the Old Bailey

This three hour lecture offers an in-depth examination of the rich history of the Old Bailey in London. It delves into the architectural evolution of the building itself, tracing its development from its early days to its current form. Additionally, the lecture explores the Old Bailey's significant role in the British legal system, highlighting its function in upholding and administering the law throughout the centuries. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how this iconic courthouse has shaped and been shaped by the legal landscape, reflecting broader societal changes and the pursuit of justice in London and beyond.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 07/12/2024 -
Sat 07/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00017273
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Humanities: The 12 lunches of Christmas

If you find the Festive season challenging or lonely, or you just need to have a break from all the chaos and the bad TV, join tutor Jane Williams, who will break up Christmas Day with this fun and interesting look at the 12 days of Christmas Carol. She will go through each of the gifts given on each of the Twelve Days, according to the carol, and see how one might celebrate them in food. So join Jane on the 25th of December for this one off online session.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 12/12/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00019851
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

History: St. George - The Man and the Legend

Who was St George? Was he real, or just a character in a legend about a dragon and a princess? Was the dragon real - or perhaps symbolic of something else? If George existed, was he even English? When and where did he live? Given that he was made a saint, what is the connection between the man, the legend and the Christian Church? Is the legend just another way to look at the resolution of conflict – the light versus the dark, the triumph of good over evil? In this two-hour session, we will examine some of the evidence about the existence of the man and any basis to the legend with Medievalist Terry Bloxham.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/12/2024 -
Mon 16/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (Berkhamsted)
289 High Street
Berkhamsted
HP4 1AJ
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018060
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Humanities: Christmas food around the world

Here in England we traditionally eat roast turkey for Christmas dinner, but what do other countries do? Is it fun? Is it a tradition you might like to borrow? Some of them do the main celebration on Christmas Eve, or on other dates, so you can do multiple Christmas traditional meals! Some of these have come to common attention when groups of immigrants bring their customs from home, some haven’t, but variety is the spice of life, either way. (Yes, curry is an option.)

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/12/2024 -
Thu 19/12/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00019857
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Humanities: On the Feast of Stephen

The 26th of December, Boxing Day, is also St Stephen’s Day. So, quite apart from wondering about “Boxing”, who was Stephen? And since we know him mainly because “the Feast of Stephen” is when Good King Wenceslas looked out, who was Wenceslas? What other myths and legends are associated with this day: in particular, what does the Wren have to do with it? A light-hearted look at the traditions of the day, suitable for relaxing with a mince pie and a turkey sandwich.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/12/2024 -
Thu 26/12/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00019855
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

History: Intermediate History: The Cross & the Crescent - The Crusades

The term will focus on the consolidation of the various Principalities of Outremer in the aftermath of the first crusade. A particularly closer examination will be made of how such embattled regions managed to survive their first precarious years, despite pressure from neighbouring Muslim states. We will also pay close attention to the development and growth of the various governments in those regions, and their ongoing relationships with neighbouring states both Muslim and Christian. Finally, we will consider the circumstances of the Second Crusade and why it failed in its primary objectives, as well as the consequences of its failure.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
7:15pm - 9:15pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00016034
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

History: The History of the World in Ceramics with Terry Bloxham

The History of the World in 100 Objects? Terry Bloxham, former curator in the Ceramics & Glass Department of the Victoria & Albert Museum will teach us how it is possible to gain a knowledge of global history from our shared heritage of ceramics by considering the different clay types that have been used in their manufacture, and where these clay types occur naturally in the world, along with the different decorations which adorn the finished ceramics. She will also discuss the ways in which ceramics became shared globally.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Mon 06/01/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (Berkhamsted)
289 High Street
Berkhamsted
HP4 1AJ
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018329
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40