Cardinal Wolsey's Today in History: Hampton Court

Showing posts with label Hampton Court. Show all posts

04 August, 2010

The Lutenist

A reenactor plays the Lute in the Great Hall at Hampton Court.
[Photo copyright the author]

The Lute Society of America has a useful selection of clips on YouTube "illustrating the use of the lute and vihuela in various styles of music". (will open in new window)

Asteria performing fifteenth century music.

Paul O’Dette performing sixteenth century lute music.

Hopkinson Smith performing sixteenth century vihuela music.

Nigel North performing John Dowland (written ca. 1600).

Robert Barto performing eighteenth century lute music by Silvius Leopold Weiss.

Robert Barto – an Allegro movement from a Weiss Sonata.

Ronn McFarlane performing two of his own contemporary compositions.

Enjoy!

17 November, 2009

Cooking the Books

Cooking the Books is the blog of the Tudor Kitchens cookery project at Hampton Court Palace.

Learn how they interpret original recipes like this one:

Roast Beef
Salmon Fress Boiled
Capon Stewed
Ryse of Genoa
Strawberye

18 June, 2009

Henry-Upon-Thames

This weekend in London is a grand event which should draw a substantial crowd of nobility and groundlings alike.

A reenactment of Henry VIII's royal progess up the River Thames from The Tower to Hampton Court is taking place, complete with attending flotilla, music, and entertainment by the King's Fools.

This is part of the celebrations for the 500th annniversary of Henry's accession. He will be accompanied by Queen Katherine Parr and sundry members of Court.

The King is being conveyed in a Shallop, in its day the "Limousine of the Lower Thames", although lacking in privacy glass and minibar.

"King Henry’s loyal subjects are invited to line the banks of the river". Better turn up then.

image courtesy easier.com

24 March, 2009

Had a bad day in the City? Relax at Hampton Court.

Whilst browsing for Hampton Court videos, I came cross this one. A city trader finds solace by the Thames at Hampton Court after a bad Friday's trading. Seems appropriate for the credit crunch.

08 March, 2009

Rick Wakeman at Hampton Court

Rick Wakeman is promising a "Mock Rock Tudor Experience" when he performs his legendary concept album The Six Wives of Henry VIII at Hampton Court in May .

This is Rick's contribution to the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of Henry's accession in 1509 [if you have not yet visited the palace, this is the year to come].

Rick has also been inspired to write 3 new pieces for the event - Tudor Overture, Defender of the Faith and Tudor Rock. Groovy.

If the credit crunch hasn't hit you yet, it's only £150 for the VIP Platinum Package, "including pre-show canape reception and chance to meet Rick Wakeman". Groundlings will still have to cough up almost £50 for the cheap seats.

If you want to sample what to expect, I included a Youtube extract from the Six Wives in this post last year.

More events for the 500th around the world are listed at TudorHistory.

23 December, 2008

Hampton Court on Ice

The seasonal ice rink is in place at Hampton Court Palace. A very happy and peaceful Christmas to all readers!

photo: Wikipedia

05 November, 2008

I'm Henry the Eighth I am - Are You?

2009 is a big anniversary for Tudor history - the 500th anniversary of the accession of Henry VIII.

It will be a busy year for Past Pleasures Ltd, "the UK's leading costumed interpretation company". They hold the re-enactments contract with the UK's Historic Royal Palaces, who run Hampton Court amongst other addresses.

According to their ad in the October BBC History Magazine, PP wish to recruit "a man" to play Henry VIII at Hampton Court during the celebrations next year

Candidates need to be:

* Over 6 foot tall with "a large frame"
* Playing age 40-50.
* Able to grow a beard.
* Live within an easy commute of Hampton Court (they don't specify by river or horse).
* Have an interest in and knowledge of history, especially the Tudor period.

Good to see the old Henry we know and love is back - JRM need not apply!.

19 August, 2008

What news from the Olympiad, Wolsey?

The scene: The Clock Court, Hampton Court Palace (above).

King Henry and Cardinal Wolsey are in conversation.

H: What news from the Olympic Games, Wolsey?

CW (nervous): I am pleased to say we are in third place behind the Holy Roman Empire and France, Majesty....

H (angry): What are you pleased about? This is an insult to the English crown . Why have you not delivered the crushing victory you promised? (Henry throws the book he is carrying in Wolsey's general direction)

CW: Our contestants toiled mightily, but we were unable to secure the expected victory in a number of key disciplines, Majesty.

H: (slightly calmer) How so?

CW: In the Torture team event, we were ahead of the Spanish after the Thumbscrews, but they have trained hard on the Rack, and extracted their confession several minutes ahead of us.

H: We must practice more; see to it. What of the Joust?

CW: Our man was bribed by the French and fell off his horse.

H: And the Rowing?

CW: The cannon that you specified only served to slow down our craft, Majesty.

H: THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!. You must raise fresh benevolences from the nobility in order to build the finest training facilities in Europe. Find Thomas More and tell him to provide fresh heretics for Torture practice . Tell the contestants that I will double French bribes, and provide a barrel of ale for any winners. (He smiles) And losers will be drowned in the same barrel, ha ha!

CW: Yes of course, Majesty. Will you be attending the closing ceremony?

H: Are the maidens fair?

CW: Allegedly, Majesty.

H: Good. I must to prayers. But how is the design for the arms for the 1512 Games progressing, Wolsey?

CW: Most fair Majesty, does this design please you? The ladies in waiting finished sewing it this morning.

H: Not bad. But something a little more dynamic perhaps?

CW: I will see to it Majesty.

They leave...

Picture of Clock Court: Wikipedia Commons

16 August, 2008

Pastime with Good Company

Pastime with Good Company is the theme of the daily program presented by the entertaining Tudor re-enactors at Hampton Court Palace during August.

Set in 1544, the program begins with the arrival of Queen Kateryn Parr at 11:00, or will it be Henry himself returing early from the French campaign??

The activities for all the family include the Royal Arrival, Entertaining the Monarch, Bowls, Jousting, Dancing and Courtly Manners, Songs and Stories, and Gambling (Dads only) all included in normal entrance price...bargain.

Also, it's the last chance to see the Costumes from The Other Boleyn Girl (or OBG as fans refer to it) , which ends on 26th August.

16 July, 2008

We Are Not Worthy!

The scene: the Great House of Easement, Hampton Court.
Henry VIII is reading correspondence whilst the Groom of the Stool busies himself.
There is a knock at the door.
Henry: "Enter".
Enter Cardinal Wolsey, obviously in a state of high excitement.
Wolsey: "Majesty, I bring you great news!"
Henry: "Catherine has agreed a divorce?"
W: "Not yet, Majesty. The news concerns my Blog"
H: "Oh that waste of the Lord's day. What of it?"
W: "It has been recognised by Professor Luker and is in His List"
H (suspicious): "Did you say Luther?"
W:"No Sire, Professor Luker of the house of Cliopatria in the New World"
H: "What of this List?"
W: "It contains a choice selection of eighty Historical Blogs, and can only bring further esteem for your reign and reputation".
H:"Are the French represented?"
W: "I do not think so".
H (looking pleased):"Hmm. And Spain?"
W:"Again they seem absent. I am sure you will not object to the presence of the Classics, and the East?
Henry:"I suppose not. But make sure all your posts, from now on, mention myself and are written in courtly style. Now go and sort out my Great Matter. "
Wolsey (withdrawing):"Of course, Sire."
Henry: "And ensure that this List is proclaimed throughout the Land"
Wolsey: "I'm right on it".

Here it is, subjects:

Ancient World Bloggers Group

Archaeoastronomy

Axis of Evel Knieval

BibliOdyssey

Blog Them Out of the Stone Age

Cardinal Wolsey's Today in History

A Corner of 10th Century Europe

Curious Expeditions

Dan Cohen

Digital History Hacks

The Edge of the American West

History is Elementary

Investigations of a Dog

Jottings from the Granite Studio

Lawyers, Guns, and Money

New Kid on the Hallway

Progressive Historians

The Proletarian

Public Historian

Religion in American History

Rogue Classicism

Rustbelt Intellectual

Siris

Steamboats are ruining everything

U. S. Intellectual History

Varieties of Unreligious Experience

Walking the Berkshires

10 February, 2008

Half Term at Hampton Court

Between Saturday 16th and Sunday 24th Feb, Hampton Court Palace has a program on Children of the Tudor Court. What was it like for Henry VIII's children growing up at the Tudor Court? What lessons did they learn and who were their teachers?

The reenactors at Hampton Court are very good so this event is recommended if you are looking to keep your kids entertained at half-term.

Oddly, the Hampton Court Palace website does not yet seem to be advertising this event, so best to telephone first 0870 7527777 in case the reenactors have gone to the block..

Picture: the engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi shows Henry with his children Edward, Mary and Elizabeth. The slightly mysterious figure at the rear is Henry's jester Will Sommers.