If you read my blog post “Henry VIII Coronation Weekend” last week, you’ll know that the Historic Royal Palaces were putting on a Coronation river pageant and special festivities at Hampton Court Palace over the weekend. Well, the Historic Royal Palaces have just released photos of this wonderful event and I have made a slideshow of them for you to enjoy:-
[slideshow id=20 w=400 h=300]
(Photos from HRP and NTI. Photographers – Daniel Deme, Frantzesco Kangaris and Richard Lea-Hair)
British Library Coronation Event
This Wednesday, 24th June, is the 500 year anniversary of Henry VIII’s coronation at Westminster Abbey, an event which he shared with his new bride, Catherine of Aragon.
There are many events going on in the UK to celebrate Henry’s accession to the throne (21st April 1509) and you can find out more about events, exhibitions, podcasts etc. on the Henry VIII Resources page or in my Henry VIII 500 Year Celebrations post. However, one event that I have not mentioned is the special late night opening of the British Library on Wednesday 24th June:-
“Late at the Library: A Night with Henry VIII”
Wed 24 Jun 2009, 19.00 – 23.00, Entrance Hall, British Library. Price: £10, including access to exhibitions. The British Library press release says:
“Exactly 500 years since Henry VIII’s coronation, the British Library is celebrating England’s most infamous monarch with a lavish late night of Tudor festivities on 24 June 2009.
The opening procession starts at lunchtime with a free coronation concert by acclaimed vocal consort Alamire, accompanied by harpist Andrew Lawrence-King and wind ensemble QuintEssential. Alamire will perform music including The Rose Canon, from a Flemish choir book gifted to King Henry VIII in 1516 , which can be seen in the Henry VIII: Man and Monarch exhibition. Aural delights include a hymn in honour of Henry and Flemish motets composed by Sampson and De Opitiis, as well as music composed by Henry himself.
Loyal subjects with nine-to-five jobs can hear Alamire perform again in the evening as part of the British Library’s late night with Henry. Tickets are priced £10 and include entry to the Henry VIII: Man and Monarch exhibition (worth £9): http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event92482.html
For one evening only, the British Library swaps librarians for the King’s favourite jesters, performers and comedians. The evening’s revelry will be topped off by a live performance by medieval psychedelic rockers Circulus.”
It looks a fantastic evening so make sure you go if you’re in London on Wednesday.
