The county has seen risings against King John, the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, Wyatt’s Rebellion, riots against an attempt to cancel Christmas in 1647, struggles during the Agricultural Revolution and the Miners’ Strikes of the 20^th century.

Moreover, the county has also witnessed small-scale resistance down the ages, a product in part of the particular circumstances of the Kent countryside and the presence of the Cinque Ports among its many coastal towns.

This month Canterbury Christ Church University’s Centre for Kent History and Heritage, in partnership with the Kent Archaeological Society, will be hosting a free public conference to introduce Kent’s rich and fascinating history of Resistance and Revolt in Kent.

Speakers for the conference include Canterbury Christ Church lecturers who will explore a range of revolts over the centuries, covering topics from relations with the Jews in medieval Canterbury to the tithe wars of the 1930s. They will also show how resistance and revolt were linked to social and political factors, as well as religion and politics; in other words, how they were linked to all aspects of life that people sought to protect or conversely sought to change when faced by those they saw as their oppressors.

The conference is also the prelude to a book which will greatly extend the coverage and bring in more experts on this fascinating aspect of ‘history from below’.

‘Resistance and Revolt in Kent’ is on Saturday 24 September, 9.55am to 4.15pm at Powell Lecture Theatre (Pg09), Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, CT1 1QU.

The event is free and open to the public, but it is advisable to book your place in advance. Book tickets here.