From gentlewoman Celia Fiennes accounts of her excursions in the late 17th century, via Daniel Defoe's best-selling book Tours Through the Whole Island of Great Britain in the 1720s, to the enormously popular 20th century King's England Guides of Arthur Mee this course charts more than 300 years of change in the landscape and settlements of the historic Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Using the original observations and recommendations of travellers to this area in the past combined with a wealth of period paintings, antiquarian engravings, vintage postcards and modern photographs this will be a fascinating and unusual perspective on the history of East Anglia.
Course aim
To provide an introduction to more than 300 years of change in the landscape and communities in the historic Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk using the original observations and recommendations of travellers and writers in past centuries.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- increase my knowledge of the history and heritage of the East Anglia.
- chart the changes affecting the people and communities in East Anglia over past centuries
- develop my appreciation of a variety of different types of historical writing
- share my knowledge of aspects of the history of East Anglia with other students
What else do I need to know?
You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas. Nothing else is needed
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