Secrets of the National Archives - An Illustrated Talk by Richard Taylor

With unprecedented access to the National Archives, Richard Taylor reveals an extraordinary collection of documents that helped shape the world we know today.  Each of the documents has a timeless quality, acting as a true testament to a moment in history.  From the Magna Carta to the actual telegram sent from the sinking Titanic, from a ship’s log written by Captain Cook at anchor in Botany Bay recording his first encounter with Australian Aborigines to a parchment letter written by a terrified young girl pleading for her life which paves the way for the girl to become Elizabeth I.  This fascinating talk explores the stories behind the letters and documents of our past. 

Sheffield Archives will be attending the event to display some of the documentary treasures that they hold - the original charter for Sheffield to be a market town; letters from Mary Queen of Scots and Charles I and many more.  This will be a very special opportunity to explore the secrets of our local as well as our national archives. 

Richard Taylor lives and works in Sheffield.  He is the author of the bestselling book How to Read A Church.

“Secrets of the National Archives provides a fascinating sample of the extraordinary and often unexpected treasures which are the essence of our history” Antony Beevor

Sponsored by DLA Piper  

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