About
King Harold: Man of Secrets
Wednesday 15th October 2025
A talk by Tom Licence, Professor of Medieval History at the University of East Anglia
7.30 - 8.30pm (doors open 6.30pm)
Tickets £6.50 per person - light refreshments available
Book online here: Museum Talk- King Harold: Man of Secrets at Epping Forest District Museum CIO event tickets from TicketSource
As part of the King Harold Festival 2025, the Museum are hosting a talk by Tom Licence, Professor of Medieval History at the University of East Anglia, on Wednesday, 15 October, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM.
Following the success of his biography on Edward the Confessor, Tom will discuss his research for a new book on King Harold, part of the Yale University Monarch Series. Harold Godwinson rose to power as the Earl of Wessex after his father's death in 1053, becoming the most influential figure in England after the King. He successfully defended England against Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge but was ultimately killed by William the Conqueror’s forces at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest.
After Harold's death at Hastings, it is believed that his body was brought back to Waltham, a church he was fond of and had re-founded in 1060. But how much do we really know about Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England? This talk promises to be both fascinating and engaging!
More information on the museum facebook page here.
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Catering
- Refreshments Available
Map & Directions
Road Directions
M25 (junction 25/26) A121 – Waltham Abbey. The Abbey Church is in Highbridge Street (postcode EN9 1DG).
Car parking is available outside the Abbey Church – free for two hours. Or park in the Cornmill car park behind the Muhinur restaurant, or in the Abbey Gardens car park (accessible from the roundabout on the B194 at the junction of Abbey View and Crooked Mile).
Public Transport Directions
By Rail
To Waltham Cross (1.2 miles) from London Liverpool Street, Hertford East and Cambridge. – Services run approximately every 30 minutes in each direction. For details, contact Greater Anglia.
By Bus
Waltham Abbey is served by several bus routes – for information, refer to Travelline South East and Anglia. Use Find a Timetable and enter Waltham Abbey as the location.
