Welcome to Wessex Society, the cultural society for the land of Thomas Hardy, King Alfred, Broadchurch, Hot Fuzz and The Wurzels. Here you can buy merchandise, learn about the region, and read our blog.
Wessex Chronicle (Blog)
Wessex Worthies: John Locke
John Locke (1632-1704) of Wrington in Somerset is often called the “father of liberalism”, though he is noted more as an apologist for the Glorious Revolution of 1688 than as an originator of Enlightenment thought. His work attracted comparatively little attention during his lifetime, but garnered renewed interest in the period leading up to the …
Essential Wessex: Wessex Culture
Wessex culture in this context does not mean the wider sense of anything to do with the region’s history, heritage or arts scene. Rather, it refers to the early Bronze Age culture of what would later become Wessex. The term was coined in 1937 by the Hampshire-born archaeologist Stuart Piggott, in an influential paper for …
Wessex Attractions: Totnes Castle
Totnes is best-known as the landing site of Brutus of Troy in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s origin myth for Britain. But it also houses one of the best-preserved Norman castles in England. After William the Bastard invaded in 1066, he ordered a string of castles built in order to subjugate the native English population. Saxon Totnes …
Contact Us
The Society holds events on the closest Saturday to Barnes Night (22nd February), St Ealdhelm's Day (25th May) and King Alfred Day (26th October). However, all events are currently suspended due to the coronavirus lockdown. The next event will be announced once the lockdown is lifted.