Siblings, Spies and Civil War: a London Luminaries talk, 1 February 2024

Siblings, Spies and Civil War: How Family Ties Led to Conspiracy and Betrayal at Syon, 7-8pm 1 February

An online talk by Howard Simmons, an experienced Syon House guide, for the Luminaries’ 2024 theme of Conspiracy & Betrayal. Algernon, Henry and Lucy Percy were three siblings raised at Syon by their father the Wizard Earl, 9th Earl of Northumberland. They could be called the heir, the spare, and the ‘seductress’. Join the event to discover the powerful story of the part played by the Percy siblings in the intrigue and betrayal of both the Royalists and Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Howard Simmons will describe how they changed sides and acted as double agents and explain how they each achieved their political influence at court from the reign of James I/VI right through to the Restoration of Charles II. Not to be missed if you enjoyed Howard’s talk to B&CLHS on 25 January!

Tickets are free with an optional £5 donation – book on Ticketsource

Devotion, Lust & an Exploding King: stories of love & death from Medieval & Tudor Syon Park, 7.30pm, 15 January 2024


In this illustrated talk, Howard Simmons, a professional guide at Syon for 10 years, will describe the Bridgettine nuns’ love of God, Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, his love of money and power and the marriages, births and deaths associated with his six wives, plus the strange account of his corpse exploding in Syon’s crypt!

This will be an in-person event at the Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4, and it will also be offered via Zoom. There is no charge to join this event but if you want to join on-line, please reserve a place here via Ticket Tailor

Your ticket will provide the Zoom joining details.

A modest donation from visitors (non-members) is always welcome

Gifts & Bequests in Local Wills in the 18th Century, 7.30pm, 18 December 2023

Miniatures of Joshua Kirby & his daughter Sarah Trimmer

An illustrated talk for the time of year when people are thinking about gifts and presents. Many Georgian residents of Brentford and Chiswick bequeathed mementoes to their family and friends. For this talk, Val Bott has been studying their wills which reveal the richness of their possessions in their bequests to family, friends, servants and business partners, which are often listed in some detail. These ranged from mourning rings through silver table ware, snuff boxes, tankards and candlesticks, miniatures and pocket watches, to furniture and clothing. Some can even be traced through more than one generation.

This will be an in-person event at the Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4, and it will also be offered via Zoom. There is no charge to join this event but if you want to join on-line, please reserve your place via Ticket Tailor at: https://buytickets.at/brentfordchiswicklocalhistorysociety/1086638

Your ticket will provide the Zoom joining details.

A modest donation from visitors (non-members) is always welcome

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