Tudor Mania

"Death to the Queen!" It is 1555 and at the Tower of London -- that citadel of secret murders and summary executions -sixteenth-century Londoners are chatting excitedly about the fate of the much-maligned Lady Jane Grey. In another evocative scene set in the splendid State Apartments at Hampton Court Palace, royal courtiers are scheming. The subject of their discussions? None other than Henry VIII's young, beautiful and adulterous queen, Catherine Howard.

These unfortunate Tudor women are long deceased, (although allegedly their ghosts haunt the Tower and the Palace). Yet now, in a new and successful trend to dramatically recreate scenes in authentic locations, history itself is now very much alive and well at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. Every nook and cranny, every shadowy cloister in these historic buildings hides its own secrets and this year some more of these secrets will be exposed to the public.

Last year was the first season of dramatic interpretations at these historic landmarks, and the decision to continue and extend the program was based on clear widespread enthusiasm for these absorbing presentations.

THE TEMPESTUOUSTUDORS
Weekends in January and February at The Tower of London

Leap the centuries and journey back to the Tower's most gruesome era and England's shortest lived queen, Lady Jane Grey. Delve into the dark secrets of the Tudors every weekend in January and February. Find out how the Body of Yeoman Warders was founded by Henry VII, the trials and tribulations of Henry VIII's most famous wife, Anne Boleyn, and the fates of his children, Mary, Edward and Elizabeth. Each Saturday and Sunday a different facet of the Tudor Court will be revealed by sixteenth century costumed guides.

Join the guides to hear how the Tower's role as a state prison and place of torture and executions grew during the reign of Henry VIII. Then take the opportunity to visit the site of the scaffold where the King ordered the execution of two of his wives, see the Tudor chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula and the Queen's House, the only half-timbered building in the City of London to survive the great fire.

Presentations will run four times a day, beginning at 11:00 am. All presentations are included in the admission price to the Tower; check the daily calendar for exact times.

On July 10, 1553, at the tender age of 16, Lady Jane Grey was crowned Queen of England, beginning a reign that would last only 9 days. From February 17 - 25, the tragedy of her ill-fated reign will be uncovered in a brand new tour led by the Tower of London's team of costumed guides. Guests can learn the truth behind her imprisonment in the Tower and why Bloody Mary considered her guilty of treason and ordered her execution.

After joining the guides, a trip to the Beauchamp Tower will reveal a poignant reminder of Lady Jane, an inscription of her name believed to have been carved by her husband, Guildford Dudley, during his imprisonment in that building. Finally, a visit to the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula and her last resting place beneath the altar will bring the story of England's shortest-lived queen to its conclusion.

Lady Jane Grey tours are included in the admission price to the Tower and will run throughout the day. Please check the daily calendar for exact times.

In addition to these special events the Tower has a whole host of daily activities. Don't forget:

Yeoman Warder guided tours. Setting off from the Middle Tower at 30 minute intervals, these tours give a no holds barred, blood and guts tour taking in Traitors' Gate, the Bloody Tower, the execution site on Tower Green and theChapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. Far more than just a guided tour, theYeoman Warders encourage people to join in, ask questions and most of all, have fun.

If your thirst for knowledge is still raging after a guided tour, find out more about The Hidden Life of the Tower or Prisoners and Punishment in aYeoman Warder short talk. These talks are given in the Lanthorn Tower and last about 40 minutes.

The Crown Jewels - a must for anyone visiting the Tower, with film footage of the Queen's Coronation and a chance to see the world's most famous collection of jewels in all their dazzling glory.

Ravens - these birds have been associated with the Tower for over 900 years and can still be seen guarding their territories on the lawn by the WhiteTower. Each bird wears a color-coded ring tag so pick up a raven leaflet and discover the names of each one of our most famous residents. Take care, though - ravens do bite!

The Medieval Palace - where costumed guides play chess, practice calligraphy and explain life, dress and etiquette in the court of King Edward I.

The White Tower - measure up to huge suits of armour made for Tudor and Stuart Kings and tiny ones made for little princes.

Helpful Tips:

• Avoid lunch times and early afternoons when the Tower is busiest.
• Wear comfortable shoes, the cobbles can be hard work!
• Avoid the entrance line by purchasing your ticket from any of London's 250 tube stations.
• Access to many of the towers is via narrow, spiral staircases. You will sometimes need to leave strollers and wheelchairs outside.
• As the Tower was built as a fortress some areas can only offer restricted access for wheelchair users, however the Jewel House is fully accessible and wheelchairs are available on site for guests' convenience.

All the winter events are included in the standard admission fee to the Tower of London. Prices are approximate and subject to change:

Once the beloved residence of Cardinal Wolsey which he later felt compelled to gift to Henry VIII, Hampton Court and its 500 years of history lives on. From 1529-1737 Hampton Court Palace was a prominent center of court life.

Lantern Lit Tours will brighten the chilly evenings of January for this special event at Hampton Court. This winter, Hampton Court Palace will once again be hosting its ever-popular tours of Henry VIII's State Apartments by lantern light.

The tour begins in the magnificent Tudor kitchens with mulled wine and canapes, where a costumed kitchen boy will prepare a traditional pungent sauce and describe a typical Tudor diet at the Royal Court.

The tour then moves to the Great Watching Chamber, the Great Hall and the Haunted Gallery, ending with a stroll through the many courtyards and cloisters in the palace. Along the way, costumed courtiers will reveal the many intriguing stories and legends that surround this historic palace. 10, 14, 17, 20 and 21 January 2001

Advance tickets only. Tours may be unsuitable for young children. Tours start at 17.30, 18.00 and 18.30.

Whispered schemes and gossip surround Catherine Howard throughout February.

In addition to these special events Hampton Court has a whole host of daily activities. Don't forget

HENRY VIII's STATE APARTMENTS Including: The Great Hall, The Chapel Royal and The Haunted Gallery, built by Cardinal Wolsey and said to be haunted by Catherine Howard, Henry's fifth wife.

THE TUDOR KITCHENS Europe's most extensive surviving 16th century kitchens. Designed to feed Henry VIII's household of 1200 people. Explore and see the food and utensils used in preparing a 16th century feast.

THE WOLSEY ROOMS AND RENAISSANCE PICTURE GALLERY Home to one of the greatest collections of Renaissance paintings in England.

THE KING'S APARTMENTS King William III's Apartments are the finest and most important set of Baroque state apartments in the world furnished with magnificent furniture and tapestries.

THE QUEEN'S STATE APARTMENTS

THE GEORGIAN ROOMS

COURTYARDS AND CLOISTERS The buildings, courtyards and cloisters cover 6 acres blending Tudor and Baroque architecture and features such as Henry VIII's Astronomical Clock.

Over 60 acres of gardens to explore including the Maze, the Great Vine and the newly restored Privy Garden.

Guided tours
Hampton Court comes vividly to life daily with tours and presentations by guides in full period costume. Find out what life was like at the palace during the reign of its two most famous residents: Henry VIII and William III. Learn the purpose of the rooms and what events took place there. Hear anecdotes of the fascinating monarchs who have lived there. Tours are included with admission but size is limited and should be booked at the Information Centre in Clock Court. Free sound guides are available for the Georgian Rooms, the Tudor Kitchens and the King's Apartments.

Welcome walk: Short introductory walk through the courtyards with a costumed guide. Duration: 20 minutes. Meet at West Gate main entrance. Subject to weather conditions. 11:00,11.30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30,

Costumed tour of Henry VIII's State Apartments. Duration: 35 minutes. Booking required. 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30,

Costumed tour of the King's Apartments (William III). Duration: 35 minutes. Booking required. 11.45, 12:45, 1:45, 2:45, 3:45, 4:45

Life at the Tudor court: Special presentation on life at the Tudor court. Duration: 20 minutes. Great Watching Chamber, Henry VIII's State Apartments. 1:00, 2:00, 3:00

Life at the Stuart court: Special presentation on life under William III. Duration: 20 minutes. King's Guard Chamber, King's Apartments. 3:15, 4:15

Dates	Days	Opening Times	Last Admission
28 October to 24 March	Mondays Tuesday - Sunday	10:15 AM-4:30 PM 9:30 AM-4:30 PM	3:45 PM
25 March to 27 October	Mondays Tuesday - Sunday	10:15 AM-6:00 PM 9:30 AM-6:00 PM	5:15 PM

Hampton Court Palace is closed 24-26 December. The gardens are open all year round from 7:00 AM to dusk.

Admission prices

Adults	£10.50
Students and senior citizens	£8.00
Children under 16	£7.00
Children under 5	Free
Family Ticket	£31.40 (up to 2 adults and 3 children)

Joint ticket with the Tower of London
A joint ticket to both Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London can also be purchased from the Ticket Office.

Adults	£18.50
Students and senior citizens £12.00	Concessions £14.00
Family Ticket	£31.40 (up to 2 adults and 3 children)

Helpful hints
You should allow 2 - 3 hours for your visit to the palace, plus time for the gardens and the Maze.