HISTORIAN and TV presenter David Starkey will give a talk on Henry VIII at Otley Courthouse next month.

Dr Starkey, a specialist on Tudor England who has described the Reformation as 'the first Brexit', will use the opportunity to point out the similarities between that period and ours.

His appearance at the Courthouse on Monday, May 8 will also include a question and answer session with the audience following his presentation.

Dr Starkey's thesis at Cambridge was on King Henry VIII's household, and he went on to lecture at the London School of Economics until 1998, before branching into broadcasting and writing.

He is a regular contributor to contemporary political debate programmes including The Moral Maze and Question Time.

In his Henry VIII lecture Starkey explains how, driven by his turbulent private life and huge ego, the king's reign brought about dramatic clashes of politics and religion and the development of the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.

A Courthouse spokesman said: "An entertaining and thought-provoking evening in the hands of a great communicator is guaranteed.

"Whether you love or loathe his forthrightly expressed opinions, David Starkey could never be described as dull!

"He will be holding a Q&A after his talk so this is your chance to have your say on matters historical and contemporary."

The talk begins at 7.30pm and tickets cost £20.

A few days beforehand, on Friday, May 5 the Courthouse will welcome an energetic young Welsh folk band - Calan.

The group, a five-piece that uses fiddles, guitar, accordion, bagpipes, harp and step dancing, have introduced a new generation of music fans to Welsh traditional music.

Drawing on Welsh legend, they deploy infectious rhythms and high voltage routines to tell tales of magic, myth and mischief.

The band have been playing to big audiences and rave reviews at concerts and festivals around Britain and Europe, including the coveted Cambridge Festival and Celtic Connections in Glasgow.

They have also completed a concert tour of Italy, Austria and Belgium.

From humble beginnings busking in the streets of Cardiff to raise money to pay for university fees, by 2015 they were performing alongside Bryn Terfel and Sting at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Bryn’s 50th birthday party.

Support on the night comes from acclaimed English singer-songwriter Dan Wilde, who has toured with Cara Dillon and Martin Taylor.

Calan's show at the Courthouse starts at 8pm and tickets cost £12.50.

To book tickets for any forthcoming attraction at the Courthouse visit otleycourthouse.org.uk, call (01943) 467466 or pop into the venue, on Courthouse Street, Otley.