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Talk

Jane Austen at Christmas

Join historian Annie Gray to celebrate a Regency-style Christmas.

Date
10 December 2025
Location
Online

In honour of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, this year's Christmas talk is all about the Regency. Drawing on Austen's novels and letters, as well as the wider world of early 19th-century Britain, Annie Gray returns for her annual foray into all things festive.

This was an era when Christmas was hotly contested: are you a Mr John Knightly, grumbling about the weather and the imposition of dinners and games, or a Mr Elton, always up for a bit of impromptu partying?

Join Annie as she puts Austen’s Christmas into its social context – not forgetting, of course, the food.

Event details

Date
10 December 2025, 19:30 to 20:30
Price
Free

Pay what you can

Location
Online, Live-streamed on Vimeo

Dates for this event

10 December 2025

  • 19:30 to 20:30

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How to join online

What you need to join

This event will be live streamed on the website of our streaming service, Vimeo.

When you book, you will receive an email that includes the link you need to join the event. This link will also be shared with you in a reminder email in advance of the event.

  • Vimeo provide guidance on How to watch a live event.
  • You do not need a Vimeo account to join. If you do sign up for a Vimeo account, please be aware you may be asked to verify your age. You can find out more here: About age verification in the UK and EU
  • You can join from your browser from a laptop or mobile device.
  • For the best experience we recommend using either a laptop or desktop computer.

Help during the event

To access the live event, click on the link in the Eventbrite confirmation email you received when you booked the event. Vimeo will open in your web browser.

  • If the live event hasn’t started at the advertised start time, please refresh your browser window and click the play button on the event again. If that doesn’t work, try closing the browser window and clicking the link in your confirmation email again.
  • You can enable live subtitles by clicking on the ‘CC’ button at the bottom of the video player. ‘CC’ stands for ‘Closed Captions’.
  • When you join the event, you may have to click on the sound icon at the bottom of the video to unmute the sound. If there is still no sound, please make sure that you have got your speakers turned up to full volume.
  • If you have a query that has not been answered above, please email us at whatson@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Watch after the event

This talk will be available to watch after the event, using the same link you will receive to join it live. It will remain available for a limited period of 48 hours after the event has finished, unless otherwise stated.

Speakers

  • Dr Annie Gray

    Historian, author, broadcaster and consultant

    Dr Annie Gray is a social historian specialising in food and dining. She's written widely on topics from Queen Victoria (and her food) to the history of the British High Street.