The Historical Association Shakespeare and Kingship Lecture

Join Dr Darren Freebury-Jones for a talk on Shakespeare’s history plays and the enduring appeal of kingship on the early modern stage. Rather than focusing only on the tragedies and comedies for which Shakespeare is best known, this lecture highlights the popularity of the chronicle history play and the audiences who flocked to see works such as Richard III and Henry V.

The talk explores how Shakespeare, writing across the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, navigated the political pressures of presenting kings and power on stage. It asks whether he should be seen as a propagandist, a subversive writer, or something more complex, and considers the big questions raised by his portrayal of monarchy, authority and political legitimacy.

This is a free in-person event at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, with no booking required. It is organised by the Swansea Branch of the Historical Association.