Henry VIII's Accession at the British Library
Tudor Re-enactments, Sports, Shows and Events Mark 500th Anniversary
Mar 5, 2009
Henry VIII lookalikes, jousting, sporting, falconry, hawking, live performances plus lectures and discussions by leading historians will be found at the British Library.
When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509 no one envisaged that he would continue to influence English life well into the 21st century. To mark the 500th anniversary of his accession the British Library are mounting a major exhibition, Henry VIII: Man and Monarch (23rd April - 6 September 2009), together with a rich and varied programme of celebratory events.
Henry VIII Celebrations and Events
The programme of events will include family fun days, demonstrations, film screenings, live performances, talks, discussions and lectures.
Highlights will include:
Henry VIII Fun Days
- Henry VIII's May Day Celebration - 4th May 2009. This fun-packed event will include Tudor sports, entertainments, workshops and stalls. There will also be an attempt to set a world record for the most Henry VIII lookalikes to gather in one place.
Henry VIII Film and Television Screenings
- The Tudors - Preview Screening - 28th April 2009. A premiere screening of the first episode of the third season of The Tudors followed by a discussion with the writer and creator of the series, Michael Hirst.
Henry VIII Talks, Discussions and Demonstrations
- The Young Henry 1491–1509 — 12th May 2009. Lecture by Dr David Starkey, guest-curator of the British Library's exhibition, Henry VIII: Man and Monarch. Dr Starkey will explore the themes: the young prince and king, his upbringing and education, and the important figures of his childhood and youth.
- Henry VIII: England's Absolute Monarch — 20th May 2009. Tudor historians and writers, Susan Brigden, Steven Gunn (Oxford University), John Guy (Cambridge University), and Lucy Wooding (King's College, London) will discuss Henry's enduring legacy.
- Wolf Hall — 27th May 2009. Author Hilary Mantel will read and discuss extracts from her latest novel with historian Derek Wilson and Erica Wagner, Literary Editor of The Times. The novel features Henry's notorious chief minister, Thomas Cromwell.
- The Change 1509-1533 — 2nd June 2009. Dr Starkey will discuss how Henry changed from being the pious prince in 1509 to the brutal tyrant of his mature years.
- The Achievement 1533-1547 — 30th June 2009. Dr Starkey will look at Henry's achievements between 1533 and his death in 1547.
- Tudor Falconry and Hawking — Talks from the Mews — 21st July 2009. Visitors can learn about Henry's favourite sporting activity and the life and duties of a court falconer. Falconers will show their hawks and explain how the birds are trained and the equipment they use.
- The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn — 28th July 2009. Popular historian Alison Weir will discuss her forthcoming book which is a detailed account of the imprisonment and execution of Anne Boleyn.
Henry VIII-related Performances
- A Coronation Concert with Alamire — 24th June 2009. Alamire, one of the UK's best-known vocal ensembles will present choral music composed during Henry's reign by Robert Fayrfax, Phillippe Verdelot and John Taverner.
- Late at the Library: A Night with Henry VIII — 24th June 2009. An evening of Tudor activities featuring jesters, comedians, circus acts, vocal consort Alamire and rock band Circulus, who use both medieval and modern instruments.
- The Somers Town Jesters Project — 3rd July 2009. There is a popular belief that the land adjoining the British Library, known as Somers Town, was granted to Henry's favourite jester, Will Somers. Year-10 students from South Camden Community School have been learning the skills of Tudor jesters and will present the results on 3rd July.
Full details of all these events, and more, can be obtained from the British Library.
The copyright of the article Henry VIII's Accession at the British Library in Special Art Gallery Exhibits is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Henry VIII's Accession at the British Library in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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