HISTORY talks on Henry VII and family names are to take place over the next few weeks in Durham.

Dr Benjamin Thompson, from Somerville College, Oxford, will be giving a free talk on Henry VII at the Durham branch of the Historical Association, on April 1.

The event will start at 5.30pm in the School of Education, in Leazes Road, Durham, and Dr Thompson will be discussing Henry VII as the founder of the Tudor dynasty and look at whether he was a tyrant or stabilising influence.

On May 24, at 2pm, Durham County Local History Society will host the David Reid Memorial Lecture on family names and English local history, in County Hall, Durham. The speaker will be Professor David Hey, author of books on family and local history.