Festival regular Mary Lister is back this year with another illustrated talk, this time about blackmail and scandals at the heart of the Court.

Mary was left five volumes of loose letters to her great great-grandmother Theresa Lister/Lewis. Theresa’s father George Villiers was a favourite of George the Third, and her mother, Theresa Villiers, was close friends with the princesses, especially Amelia. Theresa grew up surrounded by suppressed scandal and secrets.  There were rumours that she herself was the love child of Princes Amelia and General Fitzroy.  Theresa was her favourite ‘adopted’ child or was she?

Who doesn’t love scandals, secrets…and blackmail?  The Georgians certainly did! Letters discussed will be from George III, Queen Charlotte, the Prince Regent, George Villiers, Pitt, Princess Amelia and many others.

Mary’s talk will combine scholarship with a sense of fun, illustrated with portraits and scurrilous cartoons, and you’ll be welcomed on arrival with a glass of refreshing cloudy lemonade.

Start time: 11:00 (Doors open 10:45)

Finish time: 12:00

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