AN international conference will shine a spotlight on Winchester’s role in early medieval history.

Hosted by the University and Hampshire Cultural Trust, 'Winchester, An Early Medieval Royal City' will explore the development of the city, its cultural and political life and its place in the Saxon world.

The conference, from July 9 to 12, forms part of 'Winchester, The Royal City', a project which aims to celebrate and promote Winchester as a centre of key significance in the development of England and English culture.

The conference is the second event in the project, following last year’s inaugural symposium 'Winchester, A Nation Emerges' held at the Guildhall.

Keynote speakers include Professor Eric Fernie, art historian and former director of the Courtauld Institute of Art, Professor Sharon Rowley from Christopher Newport University, USA, British archaeologist Professor Martin Biddle and Professor Barbara Yorke from the University of Winchester.

Parallel sessions will be led by academics from all over the globe, and subjects covered will include the intellectual life of Winchester, the court and politics and saints and miracle stories.

The conference will also open with a public lecture by Professor Eric Fernie at the Guildhall.

The Norman Cathedral of Winchester and its Local, National and International Contexts begins at 8:00pm, with tickets costing £10 per person.

Chief executive officer of Hampshire Cultural Trust, Dr Janet Owen, who will be leading a parallel session at the conference, said: "We are thrilled to be working with the University to host this very exciting three-day conference. It comes just a few short months after the spectacular success of Winchester, A Nation Emerges, the first event in the Winchester, A Royal City project, last October, which was hugely enjoyed by our sell-out audience and really set the standard for all events in the project to come."

Professor Joy Carter, vice chancellor of The University of Winchester, said: "Here our expertise in History is internationally-renowned with a particular strength in Saxon and early medieval history. I am therefore delighted that we are collaborating with Hampshire Cultural Trust to organise and host this high-profile conference which features many of our own academic experts, including Professor Barbara Yorke and Dr Ryan Lavelle.

"This conference is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the significant past of Winchester, the historic and beautiful city in which we are based."

Winchester, An Early Medieval Royal City takes place at the University of Winchester’s West Downs Centre in Romsey Road.

Tickets for both the conference and public lecture are available at the Hampshire Cultural Trust website.