York Georgian Festival: Convict Women in York and Beyond

Tom Ellis is taking the stage at Barley Hall on Monday 10 August for a talk called Convict Women in York and Beyond, part of this year's York Georgian Festival. Ellis is a PhD researcher, and the session is built around his work on the Georgian justice system. He'll be talking through how the courts and prisons of the 18th century actually operated, the conditions women faced inside them, and the specific experiences of convict women—including those who were transported to Australia.

It's a focused look at a side of the city's history that doesn't always get the spotlight: the women caught up in the legal system of the Georgian era. If you've ever wondered what life was like for them, from the moment they were sentenced to the long voyage that took some halfway across the world, this is the one to catch.

The talk is part of the fourth York Georgian Festival, which runs from Thursday 6 to Monday 10 August. The festival is hosted by York Mansion House in partnership with attractions across the city, and it's all about 18th-century life in York. Over the five days, there's a fair bit to get stuck into: dancing and military manoeuvres in St Helen's Square, the York Georgian Ball—a masquerade held in the Grand Assembly Rooms—and a mix of talks, guided tours, performances and workshops spread across different venues. Many of the festival's events are free, so it's easy to pick and choose what you fancy without spending a fortune.

Convict Women in York and Beyond is one of those free ones, though you'll need to book your place online in advance. It starts at 18:30 at Barley Hall, on the final night of the festival.