Monthly Talk – A Hard and Grievous Battle; the Siege of Haughley Castle and the Battle of Fornham in 1173

Presented by Dr Mike Walker.

The talk ‘A Hard and Grievous Battle; the Siege of Haughley Castle and the Battle of Fornham in 1173’ is an exciting illustrated lecture bringing to life little-known but crucial events in Suffolk, of 850 years ago. It covers in particular the invasion of Suffolk by Leicester and his army of Flemish mercenaries, his campaign across Suffolk, the successful siege and fall of of Haughley Castle, the role of Bury St Edmunds and of Saint Edmund’s body and banner, and in detail the events of the Battle of Fornham.

Dr Mike Walker read History at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, where he also took his PhD. He has taught in Universities and schools, lecturing in the United States, becoming Headmaster of King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, and then of Felsted School in Essex, and also lecturing at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University. Since retirement to Suffolk he has written a history of events in Suffolk in 1173, and has been a regular contributor of items on a wide range of Suffolk history topics to BBC Radio Suffolk.