Christ Church Special Interest Event welcomes Chancellor Lord Hague

Designed for lifelong learners, the event offers participants the opportunity to engage in depth with current scholarship in an immersive college setting.

This year’s event, Britain Turned Upside Down: Civil War and Republic, 1640–1660, examined one of the most turbulent periods in British and Irish history. The theme was particularly fitting for Christ Church, where King Charles I established his court during the Civil War, making the Deanery his palace and holding Parliament in the Great Hall.

Through a programme of expert lectures, the event explored not only the causes and consequences of the Civil Wars, but also the lived experiences of those who endured them – from soldiers and widows to political and religious thinkers.

Speakers including Professor Andrew Hopper, Dr Jonathan Healey and Professor Jane Ohlmeyer considered how these conflicts reshaped relationships across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, challenged traditional ideas of authority, and opened up new political possibilities. 

On Friday afternoon, the event welcomed the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Lord Hague, who joined participants and speakers for part of the programme. In a short address, he reflected on his first year as Chancellor, describing it as ‘the most inspiring year of my life’. 

Drawing on his experience as Foreign Secretary, Lord Hague spoke about the value of historical understanding, sharing humorous anecdotes to illustrate how a knowledge of the past provides perspective on present-day events. He also reflected on the enduring relevance of the Civil Wars, describing their history as a warning and observing that civil conflicts are often the bloodiest. He pointed to the ongoing war in Sudan as a reminder that such conflicts remain a pressing global reality, even when they receive limited attention in the West.

During his visit, Lord Hague met with speakers and students, including DPhil student Liv Bennison, who presented him with the Special Interest Event booklet she authored. Bennison’s research explores aspects of early modern history connected to the themes of the event, and her contribution formed an important part of this year’s programme.