A ONE-DAY history conference in Glastonbury will focus on one of the most turbulent periods in history – the Crusades.

CrusadeCon ’24, presented by Strode College, has been organised in memory of James Arlett, a member of the History, Heritage and Archaeology Team who passed away in January last year at the age of 41 and will run on April 19 at Glastonbury Town Hall.

An expert on the Crusades, James was a lecturer of history on Strode College’s history degree-level course.

Dr Sean McGlynn, history lecturer at Strode College, is director of programming for CrusadeCon.

He said: “James was a much-loved colleague and valuable member of our History degree department.

“He was a scholar of outstanding ability and potential. His module on the Crusades was very popular and it is fitting that his specialist subject is being acknowledged by this exciting conference.”

James is survived by his wife Katie and their two young children. with profits from the conference being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

In his memory, CrusadeCon will feature six experts who aim to bring the period around the religious wars to life.

Taking place in Medieval Europe, the Crusades spanned hundreds of years and their impact is still felt today.

The experts discussing the Crusades on April 19 at CrusadeCon in Glastonbury are:

• Dr S J Allen: The Crusades and Modern Memory – Why It Matters
• Dr Susan Edgington: The First Crusade: Where Are All The Women?
• Professor Jonathan Harris: Anna Komnene on The First Crusade
• Professor Jonathan Phillips: The Medieval Life and Modern Afterlife of Saladin
• Dr Matthew Bennett: Crusading Warfare
• Dr Andrew Buck: Life on the Frontier: The Crusader States and the World of The Eastern Mediterranean

A 14th-century miniature of the Second Crusade battle from the Estoire d’Eracles

Dr John Revill, principal of Strode College, added: “Strode College is delighted to support this event.

“Our History, Heritage and Archaeology FdA and BA (Hons) courses offer students a whole range of access to resources and experiences.

“Helping to bring such an impressive speaker offering to a wider audience, particularly one with a charitable contribution in memory of a valued colleague, is something we’re very proud of.”