A free lunchtime talk is taking place at the Herbert Art gallery and Museum on Tuesday 10 November from 1pm – 1.45pm. The talk will focus on the Royal Connections with Coventry behind the five characters of the St Mary’s Guildhall portraits which are currently undergoing public restoration.

The talk will highlight interesting facts, such as why Charles II was known as the ‘merry monarch’ and how he ordered the destruction of Coventry’s City walls because he was worried about ‘mutinous and turbulent’ Coventrians.

If you attend this free lunchtime talk you’ll also hear not only about Charles II but also how the streets of Coventry were filled with wine when James II visited the City and how this extraordinary feast almost ended with disaster!

Councillor Gillian Darby, Chair of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Policy Team said:

"I would encourage you to attend this interesting talk on the Royal Connections to the Guildhall portraits, as I’m sure the fascinating facts which will be uncovered will amaze you."

This talk is the second of a series of three lunchtime talks about the St Mary’s Guildhall portraits which are taking place at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. If you attend the talk, you could also visit the public gallery and watch the experienced conservators restore paintings.