The history of Gloucestershire is being rewritten this weekend with new discoveries, theories and findings about the county's rich and royal past revealed for the first time at Gloucester History Festival's Spring Weekend (Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27).

Blackfriars Priory is the venue for three days of talks, discussions and debates from some of Britain's leading authors, historians and broadcasters.

The event includes dramatic evidence of the fake death of Edward II, revelations about one of Gloucester's most-loved historic buildings and the discovery of a previously unknown Viking fort in the county.

Edward II's gruesome death at Berkeley Castle in 1327 and his subsequent burial at Gloucester Cathedral is well known but bestselling historian Ian Mortimer will reveal why he believes the royal death in the castle Keep simply did not happen. On Friday night he will unveil bold new research that challenges the official account of Edward's death, outlining the king's 'two deaths' and the implications of those events on the monarch's famous tomb in the city.

Gloucester can boast the finest and largest timber-framed town house in Britain. The former home of Winfield's Seeds and Bookends Bookshop at 26 Westgate Street is a nationally important Tudor gem. Yet in 2025 it is still giving up its secrets and the latest finds are surprising experts and enthusiasts alike. On Saturday, Festival president Professor Janina Ramirez and Gloucester historian Phil Moss join leading architect Chris Miners to give a rare and exclusive glimpse of the building with video footage shown in public for the first time.

The extraordinary discovery of a previously unknown Viking fort on the banks of the River Severn will be in the spotlight on Sunday night. Top historian, archaeologist and BBC Coast presenter Mark Horton will discuss what he has uncovered, explain his latest research and reveal how it changes our view of the activities of Viking settlements in Gloucestershire.

Remaining tickets for the Spring Weekend are available from gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk, by phone on 07834 406228 and in person from the Festival box office at the Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HP. Live Stream tickets are only available online.