(Cover image – © Unknown Artist – Pinterest)
Tower of London, EC3N 4AB
It is no secret that the Tower of London is full to the brim with Tudor place. Serving not only as the site of monarchs the days leading up to their coronation, but also as the death-place of four well renowned queens: Elizabeth of York in February 1503, Anne Boleyn in May 1536, Katheryn Howard in February 1542 and Lady Jane Grey in February 1554. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg for the Tower, which still stands unprecedently tall even after much of it has been lost to time since it’s construction in the late eleventh century. Despite this, visitors are able to witness both surviving artefacts and replicas, such as the bedroom of King Edward I. Near this, one will also find the chapel in which King Henry VI was supposedly killed in May 1471, in which a service is annually held to commemorate him. The Royal Armoury in the White Tower gives visitors a chance to see the armour of a number of kings, including that of Charles I and various sets belonging to King Henry VIII throughout the years, including two of his guns dating from the latter half of his reign. If military history is something of your interests, then the Tower is certainly the place for you. Additionally, if you find zoology of particular interest, then the Tower’s ‘Royal Beasts’ exhibit which documents its use as a royal menagerie will certainly be of curiosity.
(© Ellie Webster)
The Tower of London certainly does not fall short on sights for those enthralled by Tudor women. A prime example of such has to be the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula (translating to ‘St Peter in Chains’) situated only a number of yards from the memorial dedicated to a number of people executed within the Tower; including famous figures such as William, Lord Hastings (1483), St. John Fisher, St. Thomas More (1535), Anne, George and Jane Boleyn (1536/42), Margaret Pole, Countess of Sailsbury (1541), Katheryn Howard (1542) and various others. Although open to visitors to personally tour after half-past three, Yeoman Warders provide a fruitful overview of the history of the chapel as well as its active role today. On my particular experience, my Yeoman Warder was enthusiastic to discuss the unfortune tale of Jane Grey, who is also buried within the chapel.
Not far away from the chapel itself is the Beachamp Tower, which many visitors, including my friend whom I visited with considered to be the most personal part of what the Tower has to offer. From the outset, Beachamp outlines some of the Towers most famous prisoners, from Thomas More to the Kray twins. However, the upper half of the tower is continuously lined with messages, notes and inscriptions of past prisoners, namely religious prisoners under the reign of Elizabeth I. However, one particular inscription that gathers attention is one from the early 1550’s, spelling out ‘JANE’, rumoured to have been left by Lady Jane’s husband, Guildford Dudley. To a Tudor history fan, I can guarantee it is chilling.
Alongside the fruitful set of opportunities visitors are provided with upon entering the Tower, various giftshops are scattered amidst the Tower, including one in the White Tower; situated within the same room Anne Askew, one of two unfortunate women to be tortured within the walls, was racked within an inch of her life before being burnt for heresy in 1546. Take with that what you will. Provides the viewer with a taste of the large scale, revolutionary style of artwork that the Tudor age embodies.
(© Ellie Webster)
(© Ellie Webster)
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE
After just recently re-opening after a £41,000,000 refurbishment, the National Portrait Gallery, situated just next to London’s West End, is both a free and marvellous experience for Tudor history and art lovers alike. Some of the most famous artworks from the Tudor period, as well as some earlier works, line an entire room that is constantly full of fascinated visitors. Starting with a replica of Holbein’s original, painted by Hockley in 1593, Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants provides the viewer with a taste of the large scale, revolutionary style of artwork that the Tudor age embodies. After entering the busily populated exhibit, one is greeted with earlier pieces – namely portraits of significant figures from the Wars of the Roses, including Kings Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard. However, the main part of the exhibit which lines portraits of notable figures such as Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour evokes chatter and discussion: providing the space with an enlightening atmosphere.
(© Ellie Webster)
Lined chronologically, the Tudor exhibit presents some of the most distinguished portraits of Tudor figures, particularly the portraits of Queen Elizabeth I, such as her Coronation Portrait (c. 1600), Darnley Portrait (c. 1575) and the Ditchley Portrait (c. 1592). These intimidating portraits accurately display the ‘Gloriana’ today as she would have been contemporarily understood as. Other larger scale portraits, such as that of Queen Catherine Parr by Master John, are linked with religious symbols throughout her elaborate fashion. Notable figures from Tudor history’s wider exterior can also be seen, such as a large-scale portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots: if you are a fan of Scottish history or intrigued by the life of Mary Stuart, then the gallery is certainly the place for you. Additionally, a full scale composition of Henry VIII besides his father dominates the entire exbibit, conveying the masculine and intimidating build he sought to establish through his tumultuous latter reign and quest for a legitimate son. Seeing these pieces full scale provides an opportunity which cannot otherwise experienced. Otherwise, the National Portrait Gallery also provides a full range of exhibits, spanning from select periods throughout multiple floors, with the Tudor space following closely to the Stuarts and Georgians, revolutionary scientists and writers. In its entirety, The National Portrait Gallery, with its collection of the most notable pieces of not just the Tudors, but history in general, is a most excellent visit for art and history lovers alike.
(© Ellie Webster)
Westminster Abbey, Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PA
Westminster Abbey continuously plays a role in the Anglican Church and constitutional monarchy through weekly services, royal weddings, funerals and coronations. Just as visitors prepare to leave the abbey, the coronation chair, which has been in use since the age of Edward I, remains on display. However, if you are visiting for a love of Tudor history, you will certainly not leave disappointed. Westminster Abbey serves as the burial place of Anna of Cleves, the short-reigning fourth wife of Henry VIII, whom he married in January 1540. Although her final resting place is rather discreet and not initially clear, the experienced staff at the abbey are happy to point her out for you. Throughout the smaller chapels of the abbey, other notable Tudor figures enjoy their final resting place, such as Margaret Douglass, Countess of Lennox, Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk and daughter of Mary Tudor and Anne Seymour, Duchess of Somerset and wife of Edward Seymour.
(© Ellie Webster)
Inside the corner known as Poet’s Corner, a variety of notable literary figures such as William Shakespeare, are gloriously commemorated, despite his final burial place residing in his hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Traditionally starting with the burial of Chaucer, the writer of Canterbury Tales, Poet’s Corner now serves as a place of burial and memorial for the greatest minds that shaped England’s literary prominence; including Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens and DH Lawrence. If you are a fan of literature like myself, you will find Poet’s Corner to be an enthralling addition.
(© Ellie Webster)
Although hidden away from clear public view, the Lady Chapel, sitting nearer the back of the abbey brings many fascinated guests that line up to take a look. Embodied in gold, the Lady Chapel serves as the final resting place to King Henry VII and his wife, Elizabeth of York, who died six years prior to her husband in 1503. Although the public view is somewhat limited, one is able to decipher a clear indication of the affection between the early Tudor rulers. However, Henry VII and his ill-fated queen are not the only Tudor monarchs to share Westminster as their final burial place. Not too far from their tomb lies that of Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII and matriarch to the Tudor dynasty, extravagantly buried in a state of prayer alongside her portcullis symbol. Although buried directly on top of her predecessor, her elder sister Mary I (whom has no tomb dedicated to her reign but a Latin inscription), the tomb of Queen Elizabeth I is sure to amaze, from its gold and pearl details; one is able to clearly gather a feel for the immortal image Elizabeth aimed to present.
Similarly, the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots – posthumously erected by her son James VI and I, provides a clear ode to her memory and stark irony in that despite sharing the same burial place, she and Elizabeth never met in person. Additionally, the supposed remains of the Princes in the Tower – discovered under the rule of Charles II in 1674, share a urn. However, this urn cannot be conclusively defined as royal, as their bones have yet to be tested. Through witnessing their posthumous tombs, one is able to determine how these notable figures wished to be eternally understood. Collectively, Westminster Abbey provides a wonderful and enjoyment for Tudor history fans and is essential to any trip to London.
However, these three essential destinations for any Tudor-themed London trip provide merely the tip of the iceberg. Despite much now being lost to time, great amounts of Tudor heritage can be witnessed throughout the city for any history lover to enjoy.
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