Medieval Spain to be focus at History Museum: Tolerance among diverse cultures

The Shelter Island History Museum will host a presentation on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. by historian Dryden Grant Liddle on the concept of “conviciencia” or tolerance in Medieval Spain. His talk will focus on the art and architecture of the three monotheistic religions and the fusion of their cultures: Jewish, Moorish and Christian.

Dryden Grant Liddle was born and brought up in Edinburgh, Scotland. He received a BA and an MA in Economics from Cambridge University, an MA in History from the Open University, and a PhD in History from Oxford University, which he achieved when he was 70 years old. 

He began his career in the UK Foreign Office, and has held positions with the UK Mission to U.N., and the UK Embassy in Madrid, Spain. He also worked with Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and London, and with Merrill Lynch, London, as Managing Director, before returning to Madrid, Spain to work as a financial consultant with small- and medium-sized companies.

Dryden Liddle served at the British Embassy in Madrid in the 1960s. At the time, Spain was just two decades into Franco’s 40-year-long dictatorship.

In 1975, Franco’s death freed Spain from his tight-gripped reign and the idea of convivencia resurfaced.

The legacy of this concept and this era lives on in the diverse architecture that is found throughout the country. 

Admission is free; donations are always welcome. Space is limited; RSVPs are recommended by calling 631-749-0025.