Was Jerusalem built here? Models of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Land and mobile memory in post-medieval England

NOTE: This is an Evening Talk hosted by the Museum of St John in London. The talk is live online Wed. 11 Feb. 7.00-8.00 pm GMT. In Australia, the talk is live online:  A(Daylight)EST Sydney, Thur. 12 Feb. 6.00-7.00 am (11 hours ahead of London). Please check the time for your state/territory.

Click here to register for this free talk: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/was-jerusalem-builded-here-models-of-the-holy-sepulchre-tickets-1979965262399?aff=oddtdtcreator

Representations of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are almost as old as the founding of the church itself in the 4th Century: in Byzantine and medieval painting, sculpted reliefs, coins and even in the form of architectural copies. However, for about 200 years (c. 1600-1800), models were made of olive wood by local craftsmen in the Holy Land for sale to European visitors and pilgrims. Around 30 of these survive, including three in the Museum of the Order of St John collection. This talk examines the phenomenon, asking how they were designed, who acquired them, and what they can tell us about perceptions of Jerusalem in early modern Britain.

Andrew Jotischky is Professor of Medieval History at Royal Holloway University of London. He is interested in medieval religious history, especially pilgrimage, crusading, and monasticism and has published widely on these subjects. His most recent book is The Monastic World: A 1200 Year History (Yale University Press, 2024).