Henry VIII – Heads and Hearts at Hampton Court
500th Anniversary of Monarch's Accession Marked at Royal Palace
Mar 9, 2009
It seems like Henry VIII is about to capture London by storm. 2009 is the 500th anniversary of his accession to the throne and to celebrate his return Hampton Court Palace will be running a spectacular year-long series of public events entitled Henry VIII: heads and hearts.
Henry VIII — heads and hearts
Henry's favourite London home will offer food and feasts in the Palace kitchens, falconry, fencing and archery, exhibitions and river pageants. There will also be special celebrations to mark the accession and the coronation. Visitors can take part in costumed re-enactments of Henry's marriage to Kateryn Parr or 'choose their own adventure' and become a courtier or servant and experience court life as it might have been.
There will also be a comprehensive programme of talks and conferences as well as several live concerts with appearances by Rick Wakeman, The English Chamber Choir, lutist Elizabeth Kenny, Hampton Court Chapel Choir, the Brabante Quartet and the King Singers.
Highlights of Henry VIII Celebrations
- Florimania — Flowers fit for a King - Mother's Day Weekend, 21st/22nd March 2009. Florimania is a floral extravaganza that takes place at the palace every Spring. This year's highlights, located in the Tudor State Apartments and Cloisters, will include a floral carpet and displays inspired by Tudor themes. Any mother visiting over the Mother's Day weekend will receive a posy of flowers.
- Young Henry VIII — until 31 December 2009. This exhibition includes historic paintings from the Royal Collection, plus audio-visual and hands-on displays offering an alternative view of ruthless, over-weight, six-time married Henry. Visitors will discover the truth behind Thomas Wolsey (the King's chief minister), Katherine of Aragon and the young Prince Henry.
- Henry’s Women — 10th April–3rd August 2009. The Council Chamber will be the location of Henry's Women. The Chamber, one of the first rooms to be built by Henry on acquiring the Palace, will be open to the public for the first time ever. This exhibition will explore the monarch's relationship with his wives and his insatiable desire for a son. The show will include portraits of his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. The portraits of all six wives and daughters will appear together for the first time at the Palace. Each painting will be accompanied by an historic artefact linked to the fate of each Queen. When Henry's Women closes in August the King's Council Chamber will become a multimedia debating chamber where visitors will discover what it might have been like to meet the King or attend a debate.
- Henry's Tapestries 'Virtually Restored' — 10th April 2009–3rd January 2010 in the Queen's Guard Chamber. After the birth of Prince Edward, Henry commissioned a tapestry for display in the Great Hall at Hampton Court. This magnificent tapestry will be 'virtually restored' so that visitors can view it in its original splendour.
- Tudor Cookery — 10th April 2009–1st January 2010. The kitchens at Hampton Court were built to serve 1,200 meals every day. Visitors will enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and flavours of a real Tudor kitchen. Check the Hampton Court Palace website for specific dates.
This promises to be a very exciting year at Hampton Court. Further details of all events with dates, times and admission prices can be obtained from Hampton Court Palace.
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