Books from the In Brief series of Books for Busy People
Books from the In Brief series of Books for Busy People
Lecturer, and author of the In Brief series of Books for Busy People
Lecturer, and author of the In Brief series of Books for Busy People
Lecturer, and author of the In Brief series of Books for Busy People
LECTURES
Sample lectures by Canon Dr Anne Davison
Anne is an accredited lecturer with the The Arts Society.
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Her talks are available with or without Powerpoint and can be tailored to suit the particular needs of the audience.
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It is also possible to cover some of these topics in greater depth in the form of a Study Day.​
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​​If you would like to discuss the possibility of a one off talk or a Study Day please get in touch using the form below.
​​FROM THE MEDES TO THE MULLAHS
Covering the rich and complex history of Iran, starting with the period of the Medes in around 600 BCE.
This lecture, which has proven to be popular with the University of the Third Age, can be easily adapted for a Study Day.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE​​
The entire region of the Eastern Mediterranean came under rule of the Ottoman Empire for much of its 600 year existence.
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In this talk we look at the origin of the Ottomans and consider some of the reasons for the empire's gradual decline.
​​THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
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Famously described as "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire", how then did this 'federation' come to be described as such? And how did it manage to survive for so long?
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A large and complex topic, this is extremely suitable for a Study Day.
​​THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE MUGHALS
For almost 300 years, between 1526 and 1858, a Muslim dynasty ruled most of the Indian subcontinent.
In this talk, which is easily adapted for a Study Day, we look at the empire's rise and consider some of the reasons for its fall.
CARAVAGGIO AND THE KNIGHTS OF ST JOHN
Covering the rich and complex history of Iran, starting with the period of the Medes in around 600 BCE.
This lecture, which has proven to be popular with the University of the Third Age, can be easily adapted for a study day.
​​THE MANY FACES OF HINDUISM
Covering the rich and complex history of Iran, starting with the period of the Medes in around 600 BCE.
This lecture, which has proven to be popular with the University of the Third Age, can be easily adapted for a study day.
​​THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE MUGHALS
For almost 300 years, between 1526 and 1858, a Muslim dynasty ruled most of the Indian subcontinent.
In this talk, which is easily adapted for a Study Day, we look at the empire's rise and consider some of the reasons for its fall.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE​​
The entire region of the Eastern Mediterranean came under rule of the Ottoman Empire for much of its 600 year existence.
​
In this talk we look at the origin of the Ottomans and consider some of the reasons for the empire's gradual decline.
​​THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE MUGHALS
For almost 300 years, between 1526 and 1858, a Muslim dynasty ruled most of the Indian subcontinent.
In this talk, which is easily adapted for a Study Day, we look at the empire's rise and consider some of the reasons for its fall.
​​THE PATH OF THE BUDDHA
Born in Northern India sometime between 600 and 400 BCE, Siddartha Gautama followed the life of the ascetic.
This talk looks at his life, the basic tenets of Buddhism, and its spread to Europe and North America.
​​FROM THE SANDS OF SAUDI ARABIA TO THE GLORY OF THE GULF
Tracing the history of Islam from 6th Century Arabia to its spread eastwards across Asia and westwards to Spain.
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Including the situation in the Muslim world today, the scale of this topic lends itself to a Study Day.
​​THE LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER
When Luther pinned his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Church in 1517, he couldn't have known his actions would lead to the Protestant Reformation.
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With the aid of artists such as Holbein and Durer, this talk looks at his life.
CARAVAGGIO AND THE KNIGHTS OF ST JOHN
Wanted by the Italian authorities for murder, how did Caravaggio end up joining a religious order dedicated to holiness, celibacy and obedience?
This lecture, which is popular with Arts Society audiences, can be easily adapted for a Study Day.
​​THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
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Covering the 1,000 year existence of the Byzantine Empire from its creation in the Fourth Century to its fall in 1453.
This lecture looks at how it managed to thrive at a time when the Western Roman Empire had collapsed.
​​PAUL OF TARSUS: A FIRST CENTURY RADICAL
Placing Paul the Apostle in a historical context, this talk addresses how his status as a Greek-speaking Roman Citizen helped facilitate the spread of Christianity in the First Century.
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This topic can be adapted for a Study Day.
THE LEGACY OF ABRAHAM
Considered by Muslims, Jews and Christians to be their first Patriarch, the legacy of Abraham has survived down the centuries through literature and painting.
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This talk illustrates some of the greatest works of art depicting his life.
​​THE MANY FACES OF HINDUISM
Manifesting itself in multiple forms but with an underlying unity, Hinduism is one of the oldest and probably most diverse religions in the world.
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A huge topic which lends itself to a Study Day but can be covered in a one-off lecture.
​​JERUSALEM, THE ETERNAL CITY
A look at why Jerusalem is so important to the three Abrahamic faiths, and the political, economic and religious reasons for its having been a centre of conflict for so many millennia.
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This lecture can be easily adapted for a Study Day.
THE COPTS OF EGYPT
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According to tradition, St Mark the Evangelist travelled to Egypt where he founded the Coptic Church in the First Century.
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This talk traces the history of the church, monasticism and the life of the desert fathers.
THE MILITARY KNIGHTS
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At the time of the First Crusade in 1099, two powerful military orders were founded. The Knights Templar were disbanded in 1312 while the Knights of St John remain a worlwide organisation.
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This talk traces the history of the two orders.
​​THE CRUSADES: A HOLY WAR FOR A HOLY LAND
Between 1096 and 1204, four crusading armies travelled across Europe towards the Holy Land.
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This talk looks at the context of the Middle East at the time, and considers the repercussions for Christian / Muslim relations today.
CARAVAGGIO: ROGUE AND GENIUS
Born in 1571, Caravaggio was a renowned artist, receiving commissions from the Papal court and Roman aristocracy. He ended life as a fugitive, dying mysteriously on a deserted beach at the age of 39.
This talk tells his story.
​​FROM THE MEDES TO THE MULLAHS
Covering the rich and complex history of Iran, starting with the period of the Medes in around 600 BCE.
This lecture, which has proven to be popular with the University of the Third Age, can be easily adapted for a Study Day.
​​THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
​
Famously described as "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire", how then did this 'federation' come to be described as such? And how did it manage to survive for so long?
​
A large and complex topic, this is extremely suitable for a Study Day.