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	theHoustonMuseumofnaturalscience
	
	Magna Carta Lectures
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	Interview with the Curator
	
	Link
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	 
	
	
	Magna Carta Lectures
	
	
	Tickets $18, Members $12
	
	
	www.hmns.org/lectures
	
	
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	
	
	“A Universal Charter? The Legacy of Magna Carta”
	
	
	Sir Robert Rogers, House of Commons
	 
	
	Text From Lecture
	
	Slides From Lecture
	Combined Text and Slides
	
	
	
	Wednesday, February 19, 6:30 p.m.
	
	
	Nearly eight centuries ago, twenty-five barons wait, under fluttering 
	pennants, for King John to round the bend in the river. The events of that 
	day underpin our modern concepts of liberty, freedom and justice. But why, 
	and how did Magna Carta come about? What distinguished it from other Great 
	Charters of early mediaeval times? What did it really say and why? How did 
	it then become embedded in the consciousness of the people of England before 
	travelling the world? And most importantly, what does it mean for us today? 
	Sir Robert Rogers is the Clerk of the British House of Commons—an office 
	that dates back to 1363.
	
	
	
	
	 
	
	
	“13th Century Sword & Buckler: Origins of the Knightly Fighting
	Arts”
	
	
	John Clements, ARMA
	
	
	
	
	Wednesday, February 26, 6:30 p.m.
	
	
	The liberal arts in medieval times were those subjects studied by a free 
	man—who was free precisely because he was armed and trained in the fighting 
	arts. Much of what is known of 13th-century sword and buckler training is 
	documented in the only surviving fencing manual of the period. John 
	Clements, martial arts historian and director of ARMA (Association for 
	Renaissance Martial Arts), will describe the science of defense developed in 
	this period, as well as the arms, armor and chivalric work of knights. The 
	lecture will be followed by a demonstration. This lecture will be followed 
	by a live demonstration of medieval martial arts.
	
	
	 
	
	
	“Conquest, Wars and Liberties of the Realm: the Long Run-Up to Magna Carta”
	
	
	Bruce O’Brien, Ph.D., Univ. of Mary Washington
	
	
	Wednesday, March 12, 6:30 p.m.
	
	
	To understand Magna Carta, one has to understand England’s past. Much has to 
	do with the obligations of kings and their subjects, which was a point of 
	negotiation. This process is writ large in pre-conquest Anglo-Saxon laws, in 
	the monuments of the Norman kings such as Domesday Book and the coronation 
	charter of Henry I, and in the legal reforms instituted by Henry II, which 
	formed the basis for what came to be known as the Common Law. Cosponsored by 
	Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies
	
	
	 
	
	
	“Medieval Genealogy”
	
	
	Wednesday, April 16, 6 p.m.
	
	
	Do you have royal lineage? Are you a descendant of a rebellious baron? 
	Genealogy researcher Lynna Kay Shuffield will review tips to help you trace 
	your family to medieval Europe. For those with English roots there is a fair 
	chance you may find a Magna Carta link. Over 3,000 Texans are currently 
	registered as descendants of the Magna Carta Dames and Barons from 
	Runnymede. You do not need to be an avid genealogy researcher to enjoy this 
	program.
	
	
	 
	
	
	 
	
	
	More Magna Carta Programs
	
	
	www.hmns.org/adults
	
	
	 
	
	
	Adult Class - 
	
	Calligraphy, From Quill to Pen
	
	
	Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
	
	
	Saturday, June 21, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
	
	
	Calligraphy—from 
	
	ancient Greek kallos
	for “beauty” 
	and  graphe for
	“writing”— 
	is a visual art dating back to at least 5,000 BC, although our western 
	letter forms were standardized during in the 8th century. In this 
	beginner-level class, Cindy Haller, Houston Calligraphy Guild instructor, 
	will teach you to use a dip pen (our modern answer to the quill) and ink to 
	create the Italic script, and 
	introduce you to the history of English 
	script writing. All supplies are provided and are yours to keep. 
	Participants must be 15 years of age or older.
	
	
	 
	
	
	Behind-the-Scenes Tour -Magna 
	Carta
	
	
	Monday, April 14, 6 p.m.
	
	
	 
	
	
	Cultural Feast - “A 
	Medieval Culinaria”
	
	
	Tuesday, April 29, 7 p.m.
	
	
	Hosted at Tony’s
	
	
	Aristocratic dining at the time of Magna Carta fused Anglo-Saxon and Norman 
	traditions with exotic flavors and ingredients introduced by Crusaders 
	returning from the Holy Land via Mediterranean islands such as Sicily and 
	Cyprus. In addition, family ties, including the marriage of King John’s 
	sister to William II of Sicily, played an important role in this culinary 
	fusion. Feasting, revelry and courtly manners were important markers of 
	prestige and power. Explore the culinary world of the barons and King John. 
	Tony Vallone and culinary historian Merrianne Timko have created a menu 
	inspired by these historical complexities to delight our modern palates.
	
	
	
	
	 
	
	 
			
			
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