- Talk
- History
- Manchester
- 19 November 2026
Armed with Hope: creating a new conflict literacy for the 21st century
From medieval weapons to AI warfare, this talk explores why the Royal Armouries remains relevant today
19 November 2026
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Citylabs 1.0 Bruntwood Sci Tech
0 Nelson Street, Manchester M13 9NQ
Get directions
£15.00 General Admission / £6.00 Students / Members book for FREE
Fully accessible area and space.
Overview
How the world’s oldest arms and armour collection is finding new relevance and purpose in a fragmenting and fractious globe. The Royal Armouries has gone through numerous incarnations since John Fleet was first appointed to look after that part of the Privy Wardrobe moved to the Tower of London in 1323. Over centuries, its star has risen and fallen with the fortunes of its various Masters, several of whom have been imprisoned, and at least one beheaded, in the same Tower that held their collections. At different times in the past, the Armouries have been central to both the projection and application of state power and at other times they have been relegated to an adjunct of the Office of Works. Today, firmly established as a fully-fledged national museum, the Royal Armouries is navigating a world where the relevance, legitimacy and sustainability of such organisations, particularly as free, universal institutions, is itself under challenge. The 22nd Master will explore why we still need the assorted rapiers, bucklers, snaphances and arquebuses that began life in the belongings of fourteenth century kings in a world of 3D-printed firearms, AI-assisted drones and death rays from space.
Practical Information
Booking is essential. The NHS Grafton Street car park is a multistorey car park near the venue.
Accessibility Information
Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk
Nat Edwards Director General & Master of the Armouries at the Royal Armouries
Nat oversees the UK national collection of arms and armour at its four sites: Royal Armouries Museum and National Firearms Centre in Leeds, Fort Nelson near Portsmouth and the Tower Armouries within the Tower of London. Nat has worked in museums for longer than he cares to remember, beginning his career at the National Galleries of Scotland, when ‘Never gonna give you up’ was number one in the charts. His experience includes extensive capital projects, business initiatives and large-scale exhibitions as well as community and educational projects. His career spans institutions such as the British Museum, Science Museum Group, National Library of Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and Glasgow Museums.