Vive la Revolution… or not!

Professor William Doyle gave a highly informative and fascinating lecture on the role of direct action in the French Revolution.

He focused particularly on the role of the sans-culottes in Paris who largely drove the terror in 1793. However, he asserted that this terror was not at all popular and that the provinces, Paris and the convention were all at its mercy.

Doyle’s knowledge of the period was profound and he covered a highly complex set of events with great clarity and rigour.

We were joined by students from Godalming College, Reading Bluecoats, whilst all our Upper and Lower sixth historians attended. It will certainly have helped them to prepare for their A-levels. Needless to say they all enjoyed the cake.