Picture of the Week #215

Sign of with the names and dates of those executed within the Tower of London. Photo May 2003.

If I remember correctly, the current thinking is that the scaffold site was actually over by the Waterloo Barracks (where the Crown Jewels are) rather than this spot in front of the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula. As you can see from the dates, yesterday was the anniversary of the execution of Jane Grey and today is the anniversary of the executions of Kathryn Howard and Jane Parker Boleyn.

Picture of the Week #214

Outside the Bell Tower of the Tower of London. Photo June 2000.

Among the prisoners who are thought to have been held in the Bell Tower are Sir Thomas More and Bishop John Fisher, in Henry VIII’s reign. And for the longest time, I thought Elizabeth I was held there when she was a princess in Mary I’s reign. Well, it turned out, prompted by a question on my Q&A blog, that Elizabeth was NOT held there, but rather in the royal apartments (which actually makes a lot more sense). And I was surprised to find out that is isn’t known for certain that More and Fisher were held there either. Considering I visited a cell in the Tower in 2000 that was being displayed as “Sir Thomas Mores’s cell”, I thought it was pretty well known. But apparently not!

Picture of the Week #212

Elizabeth I costume at the Globe Theatre in London. Photo May 1998.

Sorry about the relatively poor quality of this photo – I shot it quickly! When I first visited the Globe in May 1998 and they had this display with the costume worn by an actress portraying Elizabeth I during the opening festivities the year before. The photo doesn’t do the dress justice – it was gorgeous!

Picture of the Week #202

Carew Castle, Wales. Photo May 2003.

I know regular readers are probably sick of seeing views of these arms at Carew Castle, but I had to post at least one more since today is the anniversary of the wedding of Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur in 1501. For close-ups and more info, just search through the site archives on “Carew” and you’ll find all of the previous posts and pictures.