
A Byron Letter - and a Royal Kerfuffle
The story begins with a dinner given by the Prince Regent in 1812 to mark his daughter Charlotte’s sixteenth birthday. Princess Charlotte of Wales was an attractive character, high spirited and strong-minded. At this dinner, George revealed that he was defying expectations by keeping the Tory Spencer Perceval as the Prime Minister in the new cabinet. Charlotte, whose sympathies were firmly Whig, burst into tears.
A hitherto unpublished 1814 letter from Lord Byron to John Murray casts light on early strains in the poet-publisher relationship. The letter relates to a short poem by Byron commenting on this very occasion when the Prince Regent reduced his daughter to tears, and shows Byron’s defiant reaction to hostile criticism from the Tory press.
Intrigued? Join us at York Mansion House for a revealing talk with George Simmers, published author in the Byron Journal. As you enjoy a glass of cloudy lemonade you will be transported back to a time of scandal, turmoil and tragedy.
Start time: 13:30 (Doors open 13:15)
Finish time: 14:30
Refreshing cloudy lemonade on arrival
Location: York Mansion House, St Helen's Square, York, YO1 9QL
Please note we have 2 wheelchair spaces available, please email ymhevents@york.gov.uk or call us on 01904 553663 when booking your tickets to secure a wheelchair space.
Non-refundable