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)
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 …
Wessex Attractions: Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, is one of the Cotswolds’ premier attractions. It is known to have been the site of a manor since Saxon times, when Ethelred Unrede gave it as a wedding gift to his daughter Goda. It was fortified during the Anarchy, when its then-owner, John de Sudeley, sided with the Empress Matilda …
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.