Sarah Dunant-The First Lady of the Renaissance: The Monstrous Marchesa of Mantua

Thursday, June 18, 2026
George Watson Memorial Hall, Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

Sarah Dunant-The First Lady of the Renaissance: The Monstrous Marchesa of Mantua

Thursday, June 18, 2026
George Watson Memorial Hall, Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

What you need to know

The Monstrous Marchesa. 

An illustrated lecture on the life and exploits of Isabella D 'ESTE 


In an age where women had little public power, Isabella d’Este (1474 – 1539) stands out as a formidable figure. She was born into one of Italy’s most illustrious dynasties and married into another. Her husband , Francesco Gonzaga, was a warrior and a philanderer, but their partnership – she ran the state while he was away fighting - lasted over a quarter of a century, during which time she became the greatest female patron and art collector of the Italian renaissance. Her taste, both in art and fashion, her appetite for everything - particularly shopping and food, along with her strong-minded personality make her a great subject for a novel.  But getting under her skin means accessing an extraordinary archive of letters which she left (thirty-three thousand of them) as well as walking in her footsteps through the fortresses and palaces of Ferrara and Mantua.  This lecture will also give you some idea of both the pain and pleasure of that process. Getting history right is not an easy business.


Date and Time:

Thursday 18th June

7.30pm


Location:

The George Watson Memorial Hall, 65 Barton St, Tewkesbury GL20 5PX


Tickets:

£20 

Location

George Watson Memorial Hall
65 Barton Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PX United Kingdom

Getting to the George Watson Hall

Address: 65 Barton Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PX

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Located in Tewkesbury town centre next to Tewkesbury museum and only a few minutes’ walk away from the High Street and Tewkesbury Abbey

Car: Junction 9 off the M5 motorway is only 2 miles East of Tewkesbury

There are numerous council run car parks nearby https://tewkesbury.gov.uk/services/parking/cars/

Please note all car parks are free after 5.30pm

Bus & Rail: The nearest railway station is Ashchurch for Tewkesbury. There is a bus stop a short walk away for the Stagecoach 41 service (Cheltenham) and 71 service (Gloucester) to bring you into Tewkesbury.

41 – Nearest stop is Tewkesbury Hospital, Barton Road

71  - Nearest stop is The Cross

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables

Pulhams service 40 also operates a service between the train station, Cotswold Designer Outlet and Tewkesbury town centre. Please note this service operates on Saturday and Sunday only.

https://www.pulhams.co.uk/busservices/timetables/

Walk: If you are staying in Tewkesbury;  you’ll find most accommodation is just a short walk away from the George Watson Hall which is centrally located in Barton Street

Access

The entrance to the building is accessible being on the ground floor and has an entrance ramp and a handrail.

Toilet facilities including a separate accessible toilet are available

When

  • Thursday, June 18, 2026 7:30 PM
  • Doors open 7:15 PM
  • Timezone: United Kingdom Time
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