Category: Picture of the Week

North front of Westminster Abbey. Photo May 1998.

In honor of the anniversary of Edward VI’s coronation today in 1547 at Westminster Abbey.

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.

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!

Figure of Margaret Beaufort in the nursery scene at Pembroke Castle. Photo May 2003.

Since Henry VII’s birthday was a couple of days ago, I thought we would re-visit the nursery scene in the Henry VII Tower at Pembroke Castle.

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!

St. Gredifael

Stained glass window depicting Katherine Parr. At St. Mary’s Church at Sudeley Castle, where Katherine is buried. Photo May 1998.

St. Margaret’s Church next to Westminster Abbey. Photo May 1998.

You can learn more about St. Margaret’s at the Westminster Abbey website.

Arches and aisle, Canterbury Cathedral. Photo May 2003.

Chester Cathedral. Photo May 2000.

Outside the walls of Pembroke Castle. Photo May 2003.

The back of the Old Palace of Hatfield. Photo May 2000.

Stained glass window in the great hall of Edinburgh Castle showing the combined arms of Scotland (left) and England (right), brought together by the marriage of James IV and Margaret Tudor, who was born today in 1489.

Outside of the rose window on the north front of Westminster Abbey. Photo May 1998.

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.

In the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Photo May 1998.

The White Tower of the Tower of London. Photo May 2003.

I didn’t realize until today that the Picture of the Week #200 milestone would fall on Halloween. Considering I didn’t really have anything great for either (the axe and block would have been good, but I’ve already used it!) – here’s an imposing view of the White Tower on a stormy day.

If you want something more Halloween-ish, here’s a previous post for you: http://tudorhistory.org/blog/2011/09/16/elizabeths-haunted-portrait/

Hampton Court Palace. Photo May 1998.

Since today is the 475th anniversary of the death of Jane Seymour at Hampton Court Palace, I thought it was a fitting place to feature for this week’s picture. This is a view of the the Base Court before it was paved over with cobblestones to restore it to what it would have looked like in Henry VIII’s time (at least that’s my recollection of why it was done – please correct me in the comments if I’m wrong!).

Deep-set medieval window in the great keep of Dover Castle. Photo May 2003.

Gold coins from the Mary Rose. Photo June 2000.

In honor of tomorrow’s 30th anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose!