Course Descriptions
(Available for a one or
two hour lecture)
- Great Castles of Scotland
On
the Grail Trail: Castles of Templar & Arthurian Legend (England &
France)
From romantic ruins on England’s windswept Cornish coast to spectacular
castles perches in the Pyrenees Mountains of France, tails of King Arthur,
Knights Templars and the Holy Grail imbue the landscape. Travel writer and
architectural historian, Shawnie discusses various origins of the grail myth,
and using images from her research with English heritage, explores its
connection to a number of different castles and churches in Britain and France.
Discussion includes Glastonbury,
Rosslyn, Rennes-le-Chateau, and controversial theories that have fueled the
imagination of troubadours and novelists for centuries.
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The
England of William the Conqueror (England)
One of the most powerful
and oldest monarchies in Europe was established when the Duke of Normandy
invaded England in 1066 and was crowned King William I. William the Conqueror
violently supplanted the Anglo-Saxon culture with that of the French Norman’s
and then ruled one of Europe’s most sophisticated governments. Travel writer
and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley, leads a virtual pilgrimage through
11th century England,
beginning in the Anglo-Saxon capital of Winchester
and following William’s aggressive castle-building campaign on the Sussex Coast
to his glorious cathedrals across England. Discussion includes
castles and churches in London, Gloucester,
Durham, and
Hexham. Interesting aspects of the Doomsday Book, and ancient inventory of Britain’s
wealth, are also addressed.
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Chateaux of the Loire Valley (France)
Just two hours south of Paris is the lush and ancient Loire
River Valley-
the playground of Renaissance kings and the site of France’s bloodiest battles. Join
travel writer, Shawnie Kelley, for a virtual exploration of the history and
architecture of this legendary region’s most popular chateaux, including King
Francis I’s over-the-top “hunting lodge,” Chateau Chambord. Her slideshow also
highlights Chinon, the castle where Joan of Arc rallied future King Charles
VII, and the lesser-known, but equally storied chateaux at Saumur and
Bourdaisiere.
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Great Abbeys of Yorkshire (England)
The ecclesiastical heart
of England lies, not in London or Canterbury, but
in Yorkshire. Nine hundred years ago, northern
England
was the breeding ground of monasteries and today, beautiful rubble n’ ruin dot
the countryside. With expertise in this region, travel writer and architectural
historian, Shawnie Kelley, uses hundreds of images to illustrate the historical
and architectural highlights of seven great abbeys, beginning at St. Mary’s in York, whose abbots were
allegedly Robin Hood’s nemesis. The virtual tour continues through the massive,
well-preserved ruins at Fountains, Rievaulx, Byland, and Kirkstall Abbeys.
Haunting images of Whitby make Yorkshire’s northernmost abbey an unforgettable
place- scenery that inspired Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ and wealth that prompted
Viking raids Class ends with an exploration of the thousand year-old
abbey church at Selby, which amazingly is still in use today.
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Great
Palaces of France
France is renowned for its sumptuous palaces, with
extraordinary architecture, glorious gardens, and rich and racy pasts. Using
images from her research, travel writer and historian, Shawnie Kelley
illustrates the architectural and historical highlights of six of France’s great palaces- beginning in Paris with the Louvre, which started life not as a museum,
but as a royal residence on the Seine, and
then moving upriver to the Palace de la Cite, where the Conciergerie now
stands. Discussions also include: the medieval palace at Poitiers, home to the
powerful Dukes of Aquitaine and birthplace of chivalry; Perpignan’s
Spanish-influenced Palace of the Kings of Mallorca (c.1276); and Avignon’s
monumental Chateauneuf du Pape – the “new castle of the pope”- from where nine
popes reigned, beginning in 1309. Class ends at Versailles (c. 1664), the colossal palace
complex of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
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Edinburgh’s Royal Mile (Scotland)
ScotlandEdinburghEdinburghCastleHolyrood
Palace
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On
the Pilgrim’s Trail: Great Churches of Northern France
Northern
France is a hotbed of
cathedrals with magnificent architecture and holy relics. The slideshow begins
at Reims Cathedral, where kings of France have been crowned since the
11th century. Class visits Amiens, the largest
Gothic Cathedral in France
claiming the skull of John the Baptists and tiny St. Chapelle in Paris, which was built to
house Christ’s crown of thorns. Along the way, we look at dizzying architecture
of Beauvais and
learn of the fateful connection of Joan of Arc to Rouen Cathedral. Travel
writer, Shawnie Kelley shares historic and architectural highlights of each
location through images and exciting stories.
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On
the Pilgrim’s Trail: Great Churches of Northern England
Northern England has some of the finest and best-preserved cathedrals in Europe. This virtual tour begins at York Minster, the
largest Gothic Church
north of the Alps – famed for its powerful bishops and home to Britain’s
largest collection of medieval stained glass. We explore the 950-year old,
innovative architecture of Durham Cathedral before heading into Robin Hood
Country to look at the sublime Angel Choir of Lincoln Cathedral and the “Green
Man” sculptures at the lesser-known Southwell Minster. Travel writer, Shawnie
Kelley uses a slideshow & lecture to share exciting historic and
architectural highlights of each location.
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Rubble ‘n’ Ruin: Great Castles of Scotland
There are few more romantic sites in the British Isles
than a Scottish castle. This class takes an intimate look at five formidable
fortresses of Scotland.
We begin in the capital at Edinburgh
castle then journey down the Royal Mile to the Queen’s official Scottish of
Holyrood Palace. After a quick tour of St. Andrew’s Castle and Cathedral, we
head north to ‘Braveheart’ country where we linger at Scotland’s most historically important castle at
Stirling. We finish up on the shores of Loch
Ness at Urquhart Castle. Travel writer and architectural
historian, Shawnie Kelley, shares historic and architectural highlights of each
location through a slideshow and lecture, bringing to life her years of research
with Historic Scotland.
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History of the English Castle
Castles are considered the
quintessential symbol of the middle ages, but why and when did they become such
a permanent fixture in the English landscape? How were they built? From humble
servants to the nobility, what was daily life like for the inhabitants of a
castle? Beginning with Iron Age earthworks and Roman fortresses, travel writer
and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley, traces the development of English
castles, their distinguishing architectural features, defensive innovations,
and evolving social, political and military functions. Her slideshow highlights
the Iron Age hillforts of Cadbury and Maiden
Castle, Saxon Shore Forts; and the
castles at York, Carlisle, Rochester,
Leeds and Warwick.
Class concludes with a brief look at the coastal forts of Henry VIII.
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On
the Pilgrim's Trail: Great Cathedrals and Abbeys of France
Follow in the footsteps of
medieval pilgrims and take a virtual tour of France’s most popular churches. The
journey begins at the ancient cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris then ventures
north to St. Denis- Europe’s first Gothic cathedral. Visit the famed flying
buttresses at Chartres Cathedral and over-the-top sculptures in the abbeys of
Vezelay and Moissac. Follow the pilgrim’s route south to the abbey of St. Foy,
where monks behaved badly to boost its prestige then visit the evocative St.
Sernin in Toulouse,
where pilgrims have worships since 1096. Travel writer and architectural
historian, Shawnie Kelley, shares historic and architectural highlights of each
location through a slideshow and lecture.
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Rubble 'n' Ruin: Castles and Cathedrals of England
History buffs, armchair
travelers and those planning a trip to the U.K. can escape to Medieval England
with travel writer and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley. Find out why
the Tower of London
is called the “Bloody
Tower” and tour the
cathedrals where Harry Potter and Shakespeare In Love were filmed. Learn about
the archbishop brutally murdered at Canterbury Cathedral and explore coastal
castles that have defended the country for more than 1,000 years. Shawnie
shares exciting historic and architectural highlights through a slideshow and
lecture, bringing to life her years of research with English Heritage. Come, be
transported back in time.
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Castles of Edward I (Wales)
Edward I also known as long Shanks reigned as King of England from 1271 - 1307.
He is best known for military campaigns to subdue Scotland
& Wales.
Beginning in 1277 Edward began construction of innovative castles. Travel
writer & architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley leads a virtual tour
through these castles, which include Flint, Conway, Beaumaris and
Caernarfon
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Castles of England
Castles are considered the
quintessential symbol of the middle ages, but how and when did they become part
of the English landscape? How were they built? What was life like in a castle?
Beginning with Iron Age earthworks and Roman fortresses, travel writer and
architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley, traces the development of English
castles, their distinguishing architectural features, defensive innovations,
and evolving social, political and military functions. Her slideshow highlights
the Iron Age hill fort of Maiden Castle, Saxon
Shore fortresses, and castles at York, London, Rochester, Warwick and Windsor.
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Castles of Scotland
There are few more
romantic sites in the British Isles than a
Scottish castle. This class takes an intimate look at five formidable
fortresses of Scotland.
We begin in the capital at Edinburgh Castle then journey down the Royal Mile to the
Queen’s official royal residence of Holyrood
Palace. After a quick
look at Scotland’s most
iconic castle, Eilean Donan, we head north to ‘Braveheart’ country for a tour
of the country’s most historically important castle at Stirling.
We finish up on the mysterious shores of Loch Ness at Urquhart Castle.
Travel writer and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley, shares historic and
architectural highlights of each location through a slideshow and lecture,
bringing to life her years of research with Historic Scotland.
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Discover
Columbus
Author of our city’s first
national travel publication, Insiders’
Guide to Columbus, Shawnie Kelley discusses everything Columbus—from
restaurants to beautiful parks & gardens to off-beat, inexpensive day
trips. This slide presentation concludes with a Q&A and your suggestions
for future editions of the guide. Open to the public. Free.
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Britain's Roman
monuments
It took a full century for
Rome to conquer
its westernmost outpost, Britannia, but once they did, an indelible mark was
left on both the cultural and physical landscape of the country. Travel writer
and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley shares images from her research
with English Heritage to highlight the historical events and unique
architectural features surrounding the most famous Roman monuments in England, beginning in the north with Hadrian’s Wall, the edge of the Empire. Discussion also
includes: Colchester, England’s
first city and its destruction by Boudicca; Fishbourne
Palace’s spectacular mosaics; bath
with its sacred spring and ancient spa; and various Roman ruins in York, Chester, Lincoln and St. Alban’s.
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Coastal Castles of Great Britain
Great Britain’s 20,000 miles of coastline boasts hundreds of castles rich in military and social history. Travel writer and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley explores the unique architectural features and turbulent history of a dozen lesser-known castles, stretching from the southern tip of England to the northern extremes of Scotland. Highlights include: Scotland’s jaw-dropping Dunnotar Castle; England’s impressive strongholds of Bamburgh and Lindisfarne castles; Henry II’s one-of-a-kind Orford Castle, Yorkshire’s sprawling Scarborough Castle; Henry VIII’s string of artillery forts along Cornwall’s coast; the massive Welsh castle of Criccieth; and plenty of castle trivia.
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Great Castles of Scotland
It took a full century for
Rome
to conquer
its westernmost outpost, Britannia, but once they did, an indelible mark was
left on both the cultural and physical landscape of the country. Travel writer
and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley shares images from her research
with English Heritage to highlight the historical events and unique
architectural features surrounding the most famous Roman monuments in
England
, beginning in the north with
Hadrian’s Wall
, the edge of the Empire. Discussion also
includes:
Colchester
,
England
’s
first city and its destruction by Boudicca;
Fishbourne
Palace
’s spectacular mosaics; bath
with its sacred spring and ancient spa; and various Roman ruins in
York
,
Chester
,
Lincoln
and St. Alban’s.
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Architecture of Silence: Cisterican Abbeys of France & England
It took a full century for
Rome
to conquer
its westernmost outpost, Britannia, but once they did, an indelible mark was
left on both the cultural and physical landscape of the country. Travel writer
and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley shares images from her research
with English Heritage to highlight the historical events and unique
architectural features surrounding the most famous Roman monuments in
England
, beginning in the north with
Hadrian’s Wall
, the edge of the Empire. Discussion also
includes:
Colchester
,
England
’s
first city and its destruction by Boudicca;
Fishbourne
Palace
’s spectacular mosaics; bath
with its sacred spring and ancient spa; and various Roman ruins in
York
,
Chester
,
Lincoln
and St. Alban’s.
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OTHERS
- The History of Gothic Cathedrals
- England’s Great Palaces & Estates of England
- Great Cathedrals of Southern
England
- England’s Great Coastal Castles
- On the Pilgrim’s Trail: Cathedrals on the Road
to Santiago de Compostela
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