Jennifer is a social historian with a special interest in telling forgotten or less well-known stories, such as those of ordinary – and extraordinary - women, working communities, children and diverse ethnic groups.

Born in the Caribbean of British and Irish heritage, Jennifer grew up just outside London, then lived and worked in Sydney, Australia, for five years after graduating from university. Returning to the UK, Jennifer taught in secondary schools before leaving teaching to pursue a successful freelance career as a Museum and Heritage Learning Specialist.

Jennifer’s work includes developing and delivering study days and workshops for students in museums and at heritage sites, giving talks to adult audiences, producing educational materials and managing the delivery of educational projects. Her clients include the Museum of London, the Young V&A, Historic Royal Palaces, the Mayor of London, the National Trust and English Heritage.

Jennifer lives in Berkshire with her husband, Neil, a zoologist. Between them, they have lived and worked on four different continents and enjoy travelling to new places whenever possible.

THE BRITISH ISLES

1. Long to Reign
Find out about the history of coronations in Britain and how those of Elizabeth II and Charles III were a combination of ancient tradition, adaptation, and innovation. Explore some of the social changes that took place in the United Kingdom over the 70 years of the Queen's reign.

2. Stories from the Tower
The Tower of London is one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks and home to the Crown Jewels. Explore its development over the centuries and discover some of the extraordinary stories of the people, animals and jewels that make up its history.

3. With Fire and Sword
Using the latest DNA and archaeological discoveries, this talk explores how the physical landscape and cultural heritage of Britain and Ireland’s port cities were shaped by successive waves of invaders and settlers, from the Romans to the Normans.

4. People, Places and Ports
Discover the economic and cultural impact of migration on Britain and Ireland’s port cities since the Middle Ages. Gain a deeper insight into the contributions made by different migrant communities, from financiers and seafarers to ice-cream sellers.

5. Celtic Nation
Discover how the cultural identity and genetic ancestry of Irish people have been shaped by successive waves of settlers and invaders. Investigate myths, legends, historical evidence and DNA studies to separate fact from fiction about Ireland’s past.

6. Behind the Scenes
Set against the social history of the time, this talk goes behind the scenes of Britain and Ireland’s historic houses to give a fascinating insight into the lives in the past, from those in the vast Royal Household to maids of all work.

7. A Stitch in Time
Explore the history of clothing in Britain and Ireland in the past. Find out how textiles and clothing were made, the skills involved and technological advances, and how the national dress of Wales and Scotland evolved.

8. Fashion Revolution
Discover how the Industrial Revolution transformed clothing manufacture in Britain and Ireland. Find out about the impact of this revolution on the lives of textile workers, and how it drove changes in fashion.

9. How the Vote was won
2018 marked the centenary of some women winning the right to vote in Britain. Find out about the inventive, and sometimes controversial, strategies used in the Votes for Women campaign and the stories of some of the women behind it.

10. Dickens’s London
An absorbing exploration of the Victorian metropolis which both inspired and appalled the great writer, showing how it shaped the characters and plots of his novels, from Oliver Twist to Bleak House.

11. All the World’s a Stage
See Elizabethan London through the eyes of the young William Shakespeare, newly arrived in the city. Explore the development of the Globe theatre and find out how Tudor politics and society were reflected on its stage.

12. The Rise, Fall and Rise of London’s Docklands
Trace the beginnings, growth and heyday of London’s upriver docks before their eventual decline and closure, followed by the regeneration of the area in the late 20th century.

EUROPE

1. Trading Places
Discover how trade and migration from the Middle Ages onwards led to the growth of Britain’s port cities and multicultural communities, from Portuguese traders to Flemish and Dutch craftspeople, Huguenot weavers to Italian ice cream sellers.
N.B. This talk can be focussed on different countries according to the ports of call.

2. Celtic Connections
Find out about the origins and culture of the European tribes ancient Romans called Celts. Explore archaeological evidence, historical artefacts and DNA studies to discover links between Celtic regions in the British Isles, France and Iberia.

3. A Stitch in Time
Explore how textiles and clothing were made in the past, the skills involved and technological advances. Discover how regional variations across Europe evolved into today’s national costumes.
N.B. This talk can be focussed on different countries according to the ports of call.

4. Moorish Spain
Explore the centuries long presence of the Moors in Spain. Find out how Moorish influence shaped Spanish culture, society and learning, from art and architecture to astronomy and mathematics.

5. Power Players
Find out about the lives of some of the most famous monarchs in history, from Isabella I of Spain to Elizabeth I of England. Discover how their policies, alliances and conflicts shaped the course of early modern European history.
N.B. Depending on the itinerary, this talk can be adpated to focus one key monarch e.g. Isabella of Spain, Emperor Charles V.

6. Quinquiremes of Nineveh
Discover the ancient maritime civilisation of the Phoenicians, whose trade routes extended from the Middle East to North Africa and Southern Spain.

7. Cultural Diversity
Find out what we can learn about Greek and Roman culture from surviving structures in Mediterranean cities, from theatres to bath houses.
N.B. This talk can be adapted according to the itinerary and excursions.

8. Gods, Temples and Tombs
Find out what ancient temples and tombs tell us about Roman and Greek spiritual beliefs and religious practices.
N.B. This talk can be adapted according to the itinerary and excursions.

9. Buried Stories
Relive the dramatic two days in August 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted with devastating consequences. Uncover stories of life in Pompeii and Herculaneum before the cities were buried for almost 1700 years.

10. Godfathers of the Renaissance
Explore the dramatic rise and fall of the powerful Medici family and the important role they played in the Italian Renaissance.

11. Castles and Palaces
Step inside some of Italy’s magnificent castles and palaces and discover the stories of their builders and owners.

12. Impact of Empires
Discover the rich cultural heritage of some of the diverse civilizations that have left their mark on today’s Croatia.

THE CARIBBEAN

1. Sugar and Slavery
Explore the links between fashionable society in Georgian Britain, the growth and wealth of Liverpool, London and Bristol, and the transportation and enslavement of African men, women and children on plantations in the Caribbean.

2. Britain’s Black Communities
Discover the story of the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean, from Roman soldiers, Tudor sailors and Georgian Liverpudlians to the pioneering Windrush generation.

CHRISTMAS

1. Christmas Unwrapped
Christmas has been celebrated in Britain for over a thousand years. Find out how early celebrations had their roots in even older festivals, how the Victorians shaped the Christmas we know today, and who pulled the first Christmas cracker!

2. Christmas Imagined
Why do so many of us dream of a white Christmas? This entertaining talk explores the way Christmas is presented in much-loved stories, poems and songs. Bring a pen and paper to record your answers to the fun quiz and see if you can score full marks!

3. Toy Stories
What was on your Christmas wish list in the past? Discover the stories behind the development and evolution of some popular toys, from hobby horses to electric cars, home-made to mass produced. Guaranteed to bring back memories of your own favourites!

Fred. Oslen Black Watch, 2016
Fred. Olsen Boudicca, 2017
Cunard Queen Elizabeth, 2018
Cunard Queen Victoria, 2018
Fred. Olsen Balmoral, 2020
Fred. Olsen Borealis, 2021
Viking Neptune, 2023
Cunard Queen Mary 2, 2023
Viking Saturn, 2023
Fred. Olsen Bolette, 2024
Viking Saturn, 2024
Cunard, Queen Victoria 2024
Viking Sky, 2024

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.