Miss Boon’s lecture on Charlemagne was the perfect way to wrap up the 2025 History Lecture Series. Charlemagne’s role as the Father of Europe was clearly instrumental, be this through his campaigns against the Saxons or his remarkably forward-thinking commitment to educating his people so that they could embody the same qualities as those seen in the former Roman Empire. Like all the lectures this term, it was fascinating to reflect upon how one moment continues to have such substantial impact on our world today – in Charlemagne’s case, he laid the foundations of the modern European states.

This term we have been privileged to hear from both students and staff, all of whom have spoken with such passion, depth and insight. Spanning from the Byzantine Empire to the Jacobites at Culloden to the Mexican-American War, we were carried through centuries of struggle, power and ambition, ultimately bringing us one step closer to understanding  the ‘why’ behind the world we live in today.

Although we certainly have a hard act to follow next year, we cannot wait to bring our own knowledge and energy to the series. See you then!

Jui and Tally, Year 12 History Prefects