Fireworks - the science and the history - Afternoon

Course Programme

14:00 The Crimes of the Gunpowder Plotters: part 1, Dr Mark Nicholls

What did Guy Fawkes and his colleagues seek to achieve by destroying the House of Lords on 5 November 1605? We will explore the abiding mysteries and unanswered questions that still surround the story of the Gunpowder Plot.

15:15 Tea

15:30 Treason, Dr Mark Nicholls

Running across seven centuries, we will examine the nature of treason in England, asking if there is a life-cycle to the crime, and explaining why if was so important to the state for so long, and why it has more recently been set aside and has 'died'.

17.00 Finish

Dr Mark Nicholls is a Fellow, Librarian and a Tutor of St John's College.

Lunch

A selection of sandwiches will be available to purchase in the Terrace Bar.

Additional requirements

ICE is committed to providing equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality. We aim to support and encourage under-represented groups, promote an inclusive culture, and value diversity.

Further information about student support.

Entry requirements

No academic qualification is required, and most courses are suitable for students who are new to the subject.

All teaching is in English (unless a foreign-language course). If your first language is not English, you need to satisfy yourself that you have the required near-native command of the language to get the maximum benefit from studying with ICE.

This course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education.

About Madingley Hall

Madingley Hall itself is an impressive manor house dating back to the mid-16th century. The decoration of the Saloon and the formal Stair Hall was carried out 200 years later, and the whole fabric was renovated with great care around 1900. About four miles from the centre of Cambridge, the Hall stands in several acres of beautifully-maintained gardens and overlooks a landscape which has changed relatively little since it was laid out by Capability Brown. It is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports.

Getting here

For more information see directions to Madingley Hall

We now have a mini-bus service which runs between the station and Madingley Hall. For the timetable and further information, please see our Lifelong Learning page or contact the reception desk at ICE.