SCHOOLS ONLINE CONFERENCE 4th MAR 2025

THE WARS OF THE ROSES

Presentation and Discussion of Primary Sources on Key Topics

Sponsored by the Richard III Society

This annual schools online conference is provided at the request of teachers and is aimed at sixth formers who are studying a 15th century module as part of their History A level.

Speakers confirmed for 4th March 2025:

Helen Castor on the usurpation of Richard II

John Watts on the rivalry between the Dukes of Somerset and York

Lauren Johnson on the political influence of Margaret of Anjou

Rachel Moss on the Paston Letters

Matt Lewis appraising Richard III

Sean Cunningham on the Yorkist threats to Henry VII

David Grummitt and James Ross debating the breakdown in the relationship between Edward IV and Warwick.

A UCAS presentation to finish.

Flyers will be circulated in due course.

The timing will follow that of the 2024 programme from 9am to 3pm with a lunch break..

Registrations may be sent at any time to education@richardiii.net

Invoices for £60 per school will be sent in January.

  • Report on the 2024 Conference

The 2024 Schools Conference took place on 27th February with our largest audience so far: thirty five schools and approximately eight hundred sixth form students.

The decision to continue to offer this conference online has proved popular with both schools and speakers to save time and travel costs.

We are able to attract a panel of speakers who are at the forefront of scholarship on the Wars of the Roses. These speakers are all colleagues and friends of Dr. Joanna Laynesmith, Editor of The Ricardian, to whom we owe a large debt of gratitude for the success of these conferences.

Over the first three years that the conference has taken place there has been a running total of fifty two schools and almost two thousand sixth formers taking part.

Quotes from Teachers in their feedback

a huge thank-you for all of your work in organising the Conferences and the other great work that you have done for the Society. It has been of enormous value for our students and they have benefited significantly.


Thank you so much for organising the conference again this year.  The speakers were excellent and seeing the experts explain and engage with the sources is so valuable for our students. A brilliant line up and we look forward to next year.

Thanks again for a great conference…. we would be pleased to be involved in next year’s conference

The conference was outstanding and thank you. We would like to do it again next year .

Iain Farrell

Education Officer

Richard III Society