Henry 500 May 09 Rich 24/4/09 19:55 Page 1
HENRY 500
Crowning glories
As the nation marks 500 years since Henry VIII became king,
Hampton Court Palace has a wealth of celebratory events.
And the highlight is the glittering coronation weekend...
Dust down your doublets, pad out those skirts and prepare to party like it’s 1509. It’s
midsummer madness Tudor style, as Hampton Court recreates the coronation festivities of
England’s most notorious king. Fancy a bit of ruff, ladies? Want to pull a man in tight hose?
Get on down to the palace for a weekend of pure rock and royal.
It was June 24 1509 when 18-year-old Henry was officially crowned king, two months after
the death of his father. This year, on the corresponding weekend, the hour of promise –
destined, like so many of history’s glad confident mornings, to end in tyranny and tears – is
Picture courtesy of HRP/Newsteam.co.uk
brought to life once more.
On June 20, at 10am, Henry and his new queen, Katherine of Aragon, will board the Royal Shallop Jubilant and take to the Thames
for a spectacular Tudor river pageant, with a whole flotilla of traditional skiffs. Departing from the Tower of London, the 40 oared
craft will make their way upstream to Hampton Court, with more boats joining at Richmond for the final leg of the journey. All loyal
subjects are invited to line the banks of the Thames to see their new King and Queen.
Upon arrival at 3pm, the couple will be greeted by a flurry of music and dancing, with performances by the King’s fools. Then it’s
down to the serious business of partying, with visitors invited to enjoy picnics in the grounds until 10pm, while Henry, Katherine
and their guests feast separately in the Privy Garden
Richard Reid
. Entertainment comes from Tudor musicians, with a fireworks finale at 9.45pm.
Next day (June 21) the festivities continue with a boat tug-of-war and river races, before the royal couple depart.
Not a bad way to start your reign. After that, in the words of that other controversial leader, Margaret Thatcher, who came to
power exactly 30 years ago this month: “There is now work to be done.”
a73 On June 20 the Tudor apartments will remain open until 10pm. Visitors who have purchased a palace day ticket (normal admission
applies) will be allowed back into the palace when it reopens at 6.30pm. Evening only admission £5. For details visit:
www.hrp.org.uk
All in the
game
More Henry highlights...
Henry might
Henry’s Women
have ended
Until Aug 3
up like a
Learn about the women in Henry’s life,
very large including his wives, sisters and
sack of daughters. Examine 16th century
potatoes, but portraits of the women on display in the
in his youth
Richard Reid
King’s Council Chamber, which is open
he was the
to the public for the first time.
The King’s Singers
sporting idol
Tudor Cookery
Picture courtesy of Marco Borggreve of the age. Picture courtesy of
Jun 20-21 and other selected weekends
Jousting,
HRP/Newsteam.co.uk
Sing for the King
See Tudor cooks hard at work in the
hunting, archery, tennis: this guy was
Henry’s love of music ensured an
great kitchens, using traditional recipes
Tyson, Federer and Tony McCoy all
extremely musical court throughout his to create feasts fit for a King.
rolled into one. Hell, he was probably a
38-year reign. A multi-instrumentalist,
dab hand at crazy golf too.
The Play of the Weather Theatre
composer and singer, Henry was
On the second May bank holiday
Aug 4-8
rumoured to own a total of 10 trombones,
weekend, and again in July, Sport for Kings
A satirical play of the period by John
14 trumpets, 76 recorders, five sets of
will see Henry and the Tudor lads
Heywood, commenting wryly on Henry’s
bagpipes and 78 flutes. And that, good
strutting their stuff with falconry, fencing
divorce from Katherine of Aragon and
sires, is one heck of a lot of blowing.
and archery. Come along and have a bet!
his infatuation with Anne Boleyn. To be
How appropriate, therefore, that
Then, later in the summer, Hampton performed in the Great Hall. For
Hampton Court is to host a Tudor Music
Court Palace will host the first major booking and more info see box (below)
Festival, featuring concerts in the Great
Tudor Jousting Tournament in modern
Hall on four consecutive nights.
The Henry VIII talks at
history. Expect skill, bravery and strength,
The line-up features the Hampton
Hampton Court Palace
as the combatants strive to impress King
Court Palace Chapel Choir, the Brabante
May 30 – Oct 15 (various dates)
Henry and his sixth bride, Kateryn Parr.
Quartet, lutenist Elizabeth Kenny and, in
A series of six debates in the Great Hall
a73 Sport for Kings: May 23-25 and July 25-
finale, a Sunday night performance by –
explores the man and his legacy today.
26. Jousting tournament: Aug 29-31. Visit:
who else? – The King’s Singers, with their
Eminent speakers include historical
www.hrp.org.uk
beautiful acapella harmonies and haunting
novelist Philippa Gregory, Hampton
ensembles.
Court Research Curator Suzannah
BOOKING AND FURTHER INFO:
Lipscomb (see p10) and Mr Tudora73 The Tudor Music Festival runs from
May 7-10. Tickets £19. For booking and
For further details on all the Henry 500 events at
History himself – David Starkey. Tickets
Hampton Court Palace visit:
www.hrp.org.uk. To
further info see box (right) £22. Booking/info see box (left)
book tickets call 0844 482 7795
www.richmondmagazine.co.uk 13
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