Similar Posts
Cawood: A Cardinal’s Lamentable Treason
As the deepening chill of late autumn crept icily across the Yorkshire countryside, a cavalcade of men on horseback, headed…
Westminster Abbey: A Dazzling Theatre of Coronation
As we prepare for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6 May, we can be sure that one place will provide the perfect, dazzling backdrop, just as it has done for countless centuries. I am talking, of course, about Westminster Abbey.
The abbey has a long and noble association with the English monarchy, stretching over 1000 years. While you may be glued to the spectacle of the coronation ceremony unfolding, you might be surprised to learn that the physical spaces that form the backdrop to the event are equally significant.
To appreciate the profound importance of the abbey to the coronation, the place in which, traditionally, a monarch is transmuted from human to divine, I have written this blog to summarise the abbey’s history, how and why it has become so deeply linked with the Crown, as well as pointing out a couple of feature and objects that come together to form the ‘theatre of coronation’….
1502 Progress: Beverston Castle, Gloucestershire
If it were not for a single entry in the Queen’s Chamber Books, dated 27 September 1502, when payment was made to Robert Alyn for preparing lodgings for the Queen (see the quote above), we would be none the wiser about the royal visit to Beverston Castle. This would undoubtedly be our loss, as this lovely location has virtually disappeared from our awareness as a place of significance for those following the Tudor trail.
The main reason for this paucity of information is probably that the visit was fleeting. After five days resting at Berkeley Castle, the royal entourage was on the move and pressing on to reach the next notable destination on the geists: Fairford, where they were to be guests of the wealthy wool merchant Sir Edmund Tame. In a subsequent post, we will hear more about the Tame family and this fascinating location.ย
However, even this transitory stay gives us ample excuse to bring Beverston back into the spotlight and discover its unassuming charms.
To read the entire article, join the membership by clicking the red button in the top right hand corner of this page.
Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire
Roch Castle’s history dates back to the twelfth century. Lovingly restored, it is now an award-winning hotel, with panoramic views of Pembrokeshire.
Beverston Castle, Gloucestershire
Beverston Castle is nestled amidst picturesque Gloucestershire countryside. Within its walls lies a seventeenth-century stately stone manor, alongside quaint estate cottages, now transformed into elegant apartments and charming garden accommodation for holiday lets.
The World of Thomas Cromwell
Name and Title: Sir Ralph Sadler.
Born: 1507 in Hackney, London.
Died: 30 March 1587 at Standon, Hertfordshire.
Buried: St Mary’s Church, Standon, Hertfordshire.
Read more and see images of the tomb here…