EMINENT historians and more than 170 fans packed into Malmesbury Abbey for an event celebrating newly-uncovered research about William of Malmesbury - the town’s great medieval historian.

Professor Rod Thomson, the world’s leading expert on the life of William, travelled all the way from Australia where he teaches at the University of Tasmania, to begin the series of talks.

He was followed by Professor John Gillingham of the London School of Economics and Dr Emily Winkler from the University of Oxford.

The event, which marked the launch of a new book of essays about William, was organised by Malmesbury History Society.

Maria Marsh, treasurer of the society and curator at the Athelstan Museum, said: “William lived in the 12th century and is generally recognised as the finest English historian of his age.

“It was very enlightening on both the monk William of Malmesbury, his reasons for writing his histories, and on the abbey at the time shortly after the Norman conquest and just before the wars between Stephen and Matilda.

“When the Malmesbury History Society first had the idea for this conference we did not imagine such a large and enthusiastic turn out.

“It is amazing that so many people came to hear about William.”

Tony McAleavy, chairman of Malmesbury History Society, said: “We are so fortunate in Malmesbury to have such a rich heritage.

"It was brilliant to see Malmesbury Abbey full of people, from the town and from much further afield, eager to learn from top academics about William of Malmesbury”.

Audiences at the event also raised more than £1,000 towards funds to repair the roof of the Abbey.