Semper Fidelis: Rebellion, History, And Identity In Tudor And Stuart Exeter

About

Professor Mark Stoyle, ‘Semper Fidelis: The Civic Community of Exeter and the Memory of the Western Rising of 1549’.

Exeter people have long been proud of their city’s ancient motto Semper Fidelis (i.e., ‘Ever Faithful’). But how ancient is that motto? Why was it chosen in the first place? And how does it relate to the so-called ‘Jesus Day’ festivities which were formerly celebrated in the city every 6 August? Mark Stoyle’s lecture will explore these questions, and, in the process, will reveal that the motto which lies at the heart of Exeter’s modern-day ‘civic brand’ has its roots in the bitter religious rivalries of the mid-sixteenth century.

Dr Todd Gray, 'Exeter’s myths and manuscripts of the 1500s’

Exeter has a particularly rich archive for the Elizabethan period and yet the city’s history has had some extraordinary fabrications. In this lecture Dr Gray will outline some of those myths and reveal the staggering documents that we take for granted.

You do not need to collect your tickets from the box office - your booking details will be on the door.