Episode 6 / Peter Booker
Peter Booker was a Foundation Exhibitioner at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he obtained his degree in Modern History and he also has an MBA from the Open University. He took a break from history with his 30 year career as a Human Resource Manager with the National Coal Board, latterly British Coal. Peter has given over 100 lectures, regularly in Tavira, Lagoa and São Brás and occasionally in Elvas, Lisbon, Porto, Hedingham Castle and the Cavalry and Guards Club in London.
Nick sat down with him in his home near Tavira and had a short chat about the history of the Algarve. Please excuse some minor sound issues.
[podbean resource=”episode=2a4d6-7ba91a” type=”audio-square” height=”400″ skin=”8″ fonts=”Helvetica” auto=”0″ download=”0″ rtl=”0″]
Show notes
- Why the Phoenicians landed in Tavira.
- Tavira’s rich history.
- Carthaginians and their conflict with the Romans.
- Balsa, the Roman occupation of the Algarve and piracy.
- Examples of Roman civilization in the Algarve.
- Garum! The fish paste industry in Roman Times
- Suebians, Visigoths and the Moors.
- 700 AD – 1249 AD Moorish rule, constructing the towns of Silves, Loulé and Tavira.
- Al Gharb and how the Algarve got it’s name.
- 1249 AD: The nation of Portugal and the expulsion of the Muslims.
- 1385 – 1521:The attempts to conquer Marocco.
- Henry the Navigator
- The difficulties of reaching the Algarve and the 1884 railway line.
- Marques do Pombal and the 1755 earthquake
About the Algarve History Association
From the Algarve History Association’s website: The Algarve History Association aims to promote interest in Portuguese culture and history using the English language as the main medium but with an increasing number of articles in Portuguese. The organisation is non-profit making and undertaken on a voluntary basis. The Association charges no membership fee, and there is no charge to attend presentations unless there is a need to cover expenses of visiting lecturers. We ask that you leave your email address so that we may keep you personally informed of events.
There are regular talks and presentations and an increasing number of cultural events. The outline programmes of event can be found using the link below. For more detailed information see the sections on ‘Forthcoming Presentations’ and ‘Forthcoming Events’. Any member of the public with an interest and an ability to present their specialist cultural or historical knowledge may contact us to participate in the annual programme, which runs from September to June inclusive.
Relevant links
The Algarve History Association is a treasure trove of fascinating articles about our history down here http://www.algarvehistoryassociation.com/en/