Summary
A recent lecture explores the transformative period of English architecture from the Civil War through the early 18th century, highlighting significant shifts in style and societal influence. The discussion begins with the political upheaval of the era, including the Civil War, Restoration, and the Glorious Revolution, which coincided with a remarkable economic transformation in England. Factors such as agricultural productivity, urbanization, and overseas trade contributed to the evolution of architectural practices, moving away from the ornate styles of the Jacobean period toward a more minimalist approach.
The emergence of a new class of architects, often from the gentry rather than traditional craftsmen, marked a significant change in design philosophy. Figures like Sir Roger Pratt and Christopher Wren introduced classical elements that emphasized proportion and simplicity. The lecture also examines the impact of the Great Fire of London in 1666, which necessitated a complete rebuilding of the city and allowed for the introduction of modern architectural styles, including the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by Wren.
As the lecture progresses, it highlights the proliferation of printed architectural texts that democratized architectural knowledge, enabling a broader segment of society to engage in architectural discourse. This shift not only influenced the design of grand country houses but also led to the development of urban spaces like Covent Garden and Bath, which catered to the leisure pursuits of the wealthy. The discussion concludes with the assertion that this period laid the groundwork for England's emergence as a global architectural leader, driven by innovation and a new understanding of public and private spaces.
Show Notes
Opened up to the world once more England drank in influences and ideas from abroad which were to infuse English building with widely held ideas and values.Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, delivers this lecture on English building between 1650 to 1760 in his capacity as Visiting Professor of the Built Environment at Gresham College.Uploaded 15-11-11The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-rise-of-consensus-1650-to-1760Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://gresham.ac.uk/support/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Gresham College
Saving the whales and curing cancer are two of the great challenges of the present day, and mathematics has a part to play in addressing them. Uploaded 10-06-26This talk will use these two examples to illustrate the process of mathematical modelling to gain insights into how the world works and how we can change it.A lecture by Chris Budd 7 JanuaryThe transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/can-maths-save-whalesGresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 2,000 lectures free to access or download from the website.Website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/GreshamCollege Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greshamcollege Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/greshamcollege Support the show (https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/one-donation) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People often think that surgery is about the skill of a single surgeon. In fact operations depend on teamwork, with nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists and technicians all playing vital roles as they work together. Experts outside medicine need similar skills and have much to teach clinicians. Uploaded 10-06-26This lecture introduces Rachel Warr, a leading puppeteer and dramaturg. After Rachel demonstrates how she and her colleagues bring puppets to life, we will discuss how her expertise in dexterity, team-working and preparation for performance can shed light on the world of surgery.A lecture by Roger Kneebone, Visiting Professor of Medical Education 27 February 2019The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/lone-heroic-surgeonGresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 2,000 lectures free to access or download from the website.Website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/GreshamCollege Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greshamcollege Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/greshamcollege Support the show (https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/one-donation) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Professor Avinash Persaud, Chairman, Warwich Commission on International Financial Reform, Executive Chairman, Intelligence Capital Limited and Emeritus Gresham Professor of Commerce.Introduced by Alderman Alison Gowman and Professor Michael Mainelli.Uploaded 10-08-11This was the keynote address from the September 2010 Long Finance event at the Guidhall in the City of London.The Long Finance initiative to establish a World Centre of Thinking on Long-Term Finance began in 2007 with a question, "When would we know our financial system is working?" which challenges a system that can't provide today's 20 year olds with a reliable financial retirement structure. The aim of the Long Finance Institute is "to improve society's understanding and use of finance over the long-term." The research project proposals range from theory versus practice or fiscal versus monetary to sustainability versus robustness. The iconic project for Long Finance is the Eternal Coin, with the objective of starting a global debate about society's values over the long-term.The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/sustainability-root-problems-in-financeGresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website.http://www.gresham.ac.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parasites can dramatically change the behaviour of their hosts. A parasitic worm turns a tropical ant berry-red and causes it to climb high, attractive prey for birds, the worm's next host. A mouse infected by toxoplasma gondii no longer fears cats - making it easier for the parasite to be eaten by its next host, a cat. A jewel wasp precisely injects neurotoxins into its cockroach prey's brain. These parasite manipulations can tell us how brains, including our own, work normally.Uploaded 10-06-26A lecture by Dr Tristram Wyatt, Research Fellow at the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford 26 February 2019The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/parasites-controlling-behaviour-brainGresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 2,000 lectures free to access or download from the website.Website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/GreshamCollege Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greshamcollege Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/greshamcollege Support the show (https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/one-donation) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From 1750 to the early 20th century, fleets of 'Greenlanders' -- specially strengthened sailing ships -- headed north each spring from Britain to the ice-filled Arctic seas between Canada, Greenland and Spitsbergen. Their business was whaling, their purpose to bring home oil and whalebone -- raw materials for Britain's growing industries. Arctic whaling involved more than 9000 voyages from 35 British ports: Rotherhith's 'Greenland Dock' is a reminder that London was a prominent whaling port. Each voyage involved dangers unique to the trade, demanding extraordinary measures of skills and seamanship. Dr Stonehouse tells of the ships, the men, and the profits and losses of a long-forgotten industry.Uploaded 17-10-11The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the on the Gresham College website:http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-greenlanders-arctic-whaleships-and-whalersGresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website.http://www.gresham.ac.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices