Event Type: Branch

Takes Place: 15th April 2027

Time: 20:00

Venue: Fellowship House, 136a Willifield Way, London NW11 6YD

Description: The Byzantine empire (also known as Byzantium and the Eastern Roman Empire) had once been a Christian superpower, extending from southern Italy to Armenia. By 1450, however, it had declined to a position of terminal weakness. Most of its territories had been parcelled out among its eastern and western enemies and little remained of it apart from its capital city of Constantinople. It was at this point that the young Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed II, took the decision to launch an attack on the city with a view to incorporating it into his own empire. His viziers advised caution for Constantinople had formidable defences. Its towering Land Walls had stood for a thousand years and had never been breached. Mehmed II went ahead anyway and mounted one of the most famous sieges in history. This lecture follows the events leading to the Ottoman victory on 29 May 1453.

How to book: Just turn up - or buy an annual membership for £15

Price: £5

Tel: 07818063594

Email: mandycaller@googlemail.com

Organiser: Mandy Caller

Lecturer: Professor Jonathan Harris

Comments: This is an in person event - and also available on Zoom. Please email dudleyramiles@googlemail.com or mandycaller@googlemail.com for Zoom details.

Region: London

Branch: Hampstead and North West London