Maritime Seminars 2017-2018: Pageantry and Diplomacy in the late-Henrician Navy

Recorded: 10/05/2018 Speaker: Benjamin W. D. Redding, University of Warwick Abstract: Between the 20th and 30th of August 1546, Claude d’Annebault, Admiral of France, visited London as an honorary ambassador following the signing of the Treaty of Ardres. After a major French naval invasion attempt in the previous year, it was appropriate that d’Annebault’s entrance via the Thames was planned to include a ceremonial presentation of England’s naval resources. Bio: Dr Redding defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Warwick in March 2017. The project assessed the relationship between navy and state in the early modern period and argued that naval advances should always be considered within their broader international context. His article ‘English Naval Expansion under the French Threat, 1556-64’ was published in November 2016 in the International Journal of Maritime History. Current research interests include the role of visual culture in early modern naval developments and a reassessment of the fall of Calais in January 1558. ____________________________________ This event is being hosted by the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War. ____________________________________ Upcoming events: "An incomparable influence upon every shore: Conceptions of naval power and world order on the eve of the Great War" On the eve of WWI, what alliances formed between France, Britain, and the United States? Between 1890 and 1914, strategic thinkers and policy makers in Britain, France, and the US engaged in debates over the prospect of war, the role of maritime power, and the maintenance of peace. These arguments explored the importance of co-operation in the international system and produced rudimentary ideas about collective security. Join Louis Halewood, DPhil student at Merton College, for his lecture on the conception of naval power and world order between 1890 and 1914. His lecture will take place on 24 May at 5:15 pm on KCL's Strand Campus. "The New Era of Counterforce" Nuclear deterrence rests on the survivability of nuclear arsenals. For much of the nuclear age, “counterforce” disarming attacks—those aimed at eliminating an opponent’s nuclear forces—were nearly impossible because of the ability of potential victims to hide and protect their weapons. Technological developments, however, are eroding this foundation of nuclear deterrence. Join Keir Lieber, Director for the Center for Science and Security Studies at Georgetown University, for this discussion on the 31 of May at 12:30 pm on KCL's Strand Campus. "Wargaming Future Conflict between NATO and Russia" On the 31 of May at 3:30 pm on KCL's Strand Campus, The Centre for Science and Security Studies at King’s College London will present the results of two unclassified strategic gaming events held at the UK Defence Academy in May 2017 and February 2018. These games, originally intended to examine missile defense and nuclear risks, pose urgent analytical and policy questions about deterrence and defense in a new era of major power strategic competition. For a full listing of our upcoming events please visit www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/warstudies/events or check out the War Studies Twitter page.