The Bonfire Chant.
Remember, remember the 5th of November, for Gunpowder Treason and Plot...
I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy, ‘twas his intent, to blow up the King and Parliament.
Three score barrels he laid below to prove old England’s overthrow.
By God’s mercy he was catched with a dark lantern and a lighted match.
Holla boys, holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holla boys, holla boys, God save the King.
The Gunpowder plot of 1605 was only two years after ELizabeth's death but the seeds were sown as far back as 1571. There were a total of ten plots from 1571 to 1603. Mary Queen of Scots was executed in 1587 and that led to the Spanish Armada. Religious ferment was never very far away with the catholics hoping for a return to the one true faith. The Gunpowder plot was intended to blow up the King and replace him with a catholic usurper.
Here in Sussex the 5th of November is celebrated in real style with the County town of Lewes closed for the day and 50,000 people crowd in to see 6 different torchlit processions, bonfires and firework displays. Bonfire societies from all over Sussex converge to parade in their costumes in the Grand Parade.
All in all a fantastic spectacle and one that puts the pollution monitors into overdrive for a few days.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Monday, 26 October 2009
Firle Place
We are in the middle of the Bonfire season in Sussex to celebrates the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and last weekend it was the turn of Firle village.
Firle Place is the ancestral home of the Gage family, was originally a Tudor mansion and is on our tour itenerary next year.
John Gage was the Constable of the Tower of London and was responsible to organise the execution of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's 5th wife. Major General Thomas Gage was the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces during the American war of Independence.
Sussex has a proud tradition of celebrating the Gunpowder plot, most towns and villages have a bonfire society that raises money throughout the year with profits being donated to charity, each society holds an alloted bonfire night and torchlit procession during the season. The season starts on the 6th September and the culmination of all of these is the county town of Lewes for a mamouth night of celebration where all the societies gather on the 5th November. Uniquely in Sussex Firle Bonfire and firework display was held in the private grounds of Firle place and it was a fantastic display set to music.
A few things to explain before looking at the web photos. The whole thing is of course historically anti-catholic and no Popery here, that accounts for the burning crosses. The two priests on the scaffold are there to harrangue the crowd before the fireworks are set off. Whilst they are doing this the locals are throwing fireworks at them (and scoring hits), it is considered to be a great honour to chosen as the priests.
Each society choses a costume theme for a couple of years and Firle have a Mexican theme. There are also the bonfire boys dressed as smugglers(hooped shirts) and each society has its own colours.
Every year a hate figure is chosen to be the tableau pulled through the streets. This year it was Peter Andre and his ex wife Jordan (aka Katie Price). A mediocre singer and ex glamour model with huge implants who met on a reality TV show. These tableau are full of explosives and fireworks which get set off seperately from the main display.
As for jumping the fire, well that's just insane!
enjoy the photos
www.firlebonfire.com
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Firle Place is the ancestral home of the Gage family, was originally a Tudor mansion and is on our tour itenerary next year.
John Gage was the Constable of the Tower of London and was responsible to organise the execution of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's 5th wife. Major General Thomas Gage was the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces during the American war of Independence.
Sussex has a proud tradition of celebrating the Gunpowder plot, most towns and villages have a bonfire society that raises money throughout the year with profits being donated to charity, each society holds an alloted bonfire night and torchlit procession during the season. The season starts on the 6th September and the culmination of all of these is the county town of Lewes for a mamouth night of celebration where all the societies gather on the 5th November. Uniquely in Sussex Firle Bonfire and firework display was held in the private grounds of Firle place and it was a fantastic display set to music.
A few things to explain before looking at the web photos. The whole thing is of course historically anti-catholic and no Popery here, that accounts for the burning crosses. The two priests on the scaffold are there to harrangue the crowd before the fireworks are set off. Whilst they are doing this the locals are throwing fireworks at them (and scoring hits), it is considered to be a great honour to chosen as the priests.
Each society choses a costume theme for a couple of years and Firle have a Mexican theme. There are also the bonfire boys dressed as smugglers(hooped shirts) and each society has its own colours.
Every year a hate figure is chosen to be the tableau pulled through the streets. This year it was Peter Andre and his ex wife Jordan (aka Katie Price). A mediocre singer and ex glamour model with huge implants who met on a reality TV show. These tableau are full of explosives and fireworks which get set off seperately from the main display.
As for jumping the fire, well that's just insane!
enjoy the photos
www.firlebonfire.com
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Friday, 23 October 2009
Catherine of Aragon
We're very pleased and lucky to able to include in our Six wives tours next year, a couple of very special places relating to Catherine of Aragon. The two places are near to each other and are Buckden Towers and Kimbolton castle.
Buckden Towers is where Catherine was living for some time before she was moved to Kimbolton Castle where she died in 1536. The Duke of Suffolk under Henry's orders came to remove her to Fotheringhay in December 1533, but the stout men of Buckden carrying billhooks and choppers defended her and the Duke backed down. Henry VIII himself with Catherine Howard visited the place in 1541
Buckden Towers is now a Claretian missionary centre and does allow limited visiting, there is a friends group that raises funds by putting on Tudor days festival in September and other events through the year. It is a real jewel from the Tudor period in the heart of the Huntingdon countryside and a peaceful place to visit.
Kimbolton Castle is now a school and not generally open to the public, so we are very pleased to be able to visit by special arrangement. The chapel where Catherine was embalmed is still there, other parts of the original castle are still remain but it was rebuilt in the 1700's. but what a place to go to school!.
Kimbolton parish church nearby is unique, it has the only Tiffany stained glass window in a parish Church in England, it is superb and is included on our tour.
Our grateful thanks to the staff of both for allowing us to visit.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Buckden Towers is where Catherine was living for some time before she was moved to Kimbolton Castle where she died in 1536. The Duke of Suffolk under Henry's orders came to remove her to Fotheringhay in December 1533, but the stout men of Buckden carrying billhooks and choppers defended her and the Duke backed down. Henry VIII himself with Catherine Howard visited the place in 1541
Buckden Towers is now a Claretian missionary centre and does allow limited visiting, there is a friends group that raises funds by putting on Tudor days festival in September and other events through the year. It is a real jewel from the Tudor period in the heart of the Huntingdon countryside and a peaceful place to visit.
Kimbolton Castle is now a school and not generally open to the public, so we are very pleased to be able to visit by special arrangement. The chapel where Catherine was embalmed is still there, other parts of the original castle are still remain but it was rebuilt in the 1700's. but what a place to go to school!.
Kimbolton parish church nearby is unique, it has the only Tiffany stained glass window in a parish Church in England, it is superb and is included on our tour.
Our grateful thanks to the staff of both for allowing us to visit.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Dover Castle
The new Henry II Keep exhibition was the centre piece of a hugely enjoyable visit to Dover castle organised by English Heritage and Visit Kent to show off the new exibition to people from tourism and travel organisations
Henry II was actually our guide for the morning taking us through the keep and showing off his state rooms, bedchamber,guest rooms and halls together with kitchen, bakery and brewery in the basement. Henry II the great grandson of William the Conqueror in his red regal robes was truly inspiring to have as our guide, full of anecdotes and wit. With smoke from real log fires,we were easily transported back to the 1180's and his court.
Dover castle is huge and has a commanding view over the Channel right over to France. There is plenty for everyone with events throughout the year. It is divided into five distinct areas. Early Roman and Saxon history, Medieval Dover. Dover's defences, Garrison life and finally Dover at war, the secret wartime undergroud tunnels.
There are extensive wartime tunnels dating back to 1797 and were greatly extended leading up to the second world war. The evacuation of the British army from Dunkirk in 1940 was planned from these very underground vaults.
An excellent day and place to visit and thanks to those involved in planning the day.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Henry II was actually our guide for the morning taking us through the keep and showing off his state rooms, bedchamber,guest rooms and halls together with kitchen, bakery and brewery in the basement. Henry II the great grandson of William the Conqueror in his red regal robes was truly inspiring to have as our guide, full of anecdotes and wit. With smoke from real log fires,we were easily transported back to the 1180's and his court.
Dover castle is huge and has a commanding view over the Channel right over to France. There is plenty for everyone with events throughout the year. It is divided into five distinct areas. Early Roman and Saxon history, Medieval Dover. Dover's defences, Garrison life and finally Dover at war, the secret wartime undergroud tunnels.
There are extensive wartime tunnels dating back to 1797 and were greatly extended leading up to the second world war. The evacuation of the British army from Dunkirk in 1940 was planned from these very underground vaults.
An excellent day and place to visit and thanks to those involved in planning the day.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Monday, 12 October 2009
Battle of Hastings 2009
With the help of over four hundred enactors including some cavalry and together with several thousand spectators the 1066 Battle of Hastings was re-enacted on the original site at Battle over the weekend.
Not exactly Tudor, but none the less a seminal moment in the nation's history and only about a dozen miles from here.
It was well worth going to see with lots of side attractions including a kids battle on the south lawn. Two lines of eager kids from 3 to 12 years old glaring and screaming their war cries at each other, rattling their plastic swords on their wooden shields before coming together in a chaotic melee.
There was cavalry demonstrations, falconry, story telling and medieval music in the Abbey ruins, have a go archery and skill at arms displays to keep everyone amused.
The re-enactors camp next to the battlefield was full of authentic scenes with tents, cooking pots suspended over wood fires, children filling sausages though a cows horn, toddlers playing with belts and buckles. Men playing a board game, sharpening swords and burnishing their armour. There was even a small Viking longship of the type that Duke William would have used to transport his army across the channel
Now the curious thing was, when the time came to get tooled up for the fight it was all done in near silence. All the warriors were in small groups putting on their chain mail and armour, choosing helmets, sheilds and the rest of their equipment with hardly any chatter or bravado. It must have very much the same during the build up to the real thing 943 years ago.
The crowd played their part, booing Duke William when he was introduced and when he won, (on the several occasions we,ve been to the battle he always gets booed, don't know why)
The battle produced clashing shield walls, cold steel sword fights, flying arrows and the thunder of horses hooves charging up to the shield wall of the Saxons, they must have been very brave men to have withstood a charge like that.
A hugely enjoyable family day out and well done to the English Heritage team that produced the weekend.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Not exactly Tudor, but none the less a seminal moment in the nation's history and only about a dozen miles from here.
It was well worth going to see with lots of side attractions including a kids battle on the south lawn. Two lines of eager kids from 3 to 12 years old glaring and screaming their war cries at each other, rattling their plastic swords on their wooden shields before coming together in a chaotic melee.
There was cavalry demonstrations, falconry, story telling and medieval music in the Abbey ruins, have a go archery and skill at arms displays to keep everyone amused.
The re-enactors camp next to the battlefield was full of authentic scenes with tents, cooking pots suspended over wood fires, children filling sausages though a cows horn, toddlers playing with belts and buckles. Men playing a board game, sharpening swords and burnishing their armour. There was even a small Viking longship of the type that Duke William would have used to transport his army across the channel
Now the curious thing was, when the time came to get tooled up for the fight it was all done in near silence. All the warriors were in small groups putting on their chain mail and armour, choosing helmets, sheilds and the rest of their equipment with hardly any chatter or bravado. It must have very much the same during the build up to the real thing 943 years ago.
The crowd played their part, booing Duke William when he was introduced and when he won, (on the several occasions we,ve been to the battle he always gets booed, don't know why)
The battle produced clashing shield walls, cold steel sword fights, flying arrows and the thunder of horses hooves charging up to the shield wall of the Saxons, they must have been very brave men to have withstood a charge like that.
A hugely enjoyable family day out and well done to the English Heritage team that produced the weekend.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Monday, 5 October 2009
Chesworth House
I tried to get Chesworth House in Horsham West Sussex on my tour itenerary for next year but with no sucess.
Chesworth House is where Catherine Howard was brought up and the place where she was supposed to have had a little dalliance shall we say.
Not a really big place and until very recently the House was a wedding venue with beautiful lawns and a chapel but is now in private ownership. I went to visit the owner who is not English to try and include it on my six wives tour. The owner was aware of the historic importance of the house but was not inclined to be part of my plans.
A bit of a let down really but I will try again and keep trying as it is one of those places that is still standing and off the tourist trail.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Chesworth House is where Catherine Howard was brought up and the place where she was supposed to have had a little dalliance shall we say.
Not a really big place and until very recently the House was a wedding venue with beautiful lawns and a chapel but is now in private ownership. I went to visit the owner who is not English to try and include it on my six wives tour. The owner was aware of the historic importance of the house but was not inclined to be part of my plans.
A bit of a let down really but I will try again and keep trying as it is one of those places that is still standing and off the tourist trail.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Friday, 2 October 2009
Tudor days at Upnor castle
Tudor days weekend festival at Upnor castle near Rochester in Kent. This festival,includes Archery displays, a campagn encampment, pedlars, jesters and knights in armour having at each other in deadly combat. One poor knight did actually get a glancing blow during one melee that needed the assistance of the first aiders and a visit to the loacl A&E department. We were actually graced with the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I who was visting for the day to the only castle she ordered to be built. Children were spellbound by her presence and the grown ups too. All in all it was a very good day with fine weather.
English Heritage look after this castle which really did see action in the dutch raid of 1667.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
English Heritage look after this castle which really did see action in the dutch raid of 1667.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Hatfield House
Went to Hatfield House, the childhood home of Elizabeth I last weekend and what a place it is. The weather was warm and sunny and the light for takling photos was superb. There was a wedding on in the Old Palace so we couldn't go inside but the outside was majestic in the sunlight.
In The main House there was a TV company filming a Miss Marples episode but were resting on the day we were there. However in the great Hall the famous Rainbow painting of Elizabeth I was missing. Oh No it wasn't, it was hidden behind a specially built wall to protect it from the TV arc lights. Well this wall was an Oak contruction right up until you touched it, the reality-it was plastic, but not even the rooms guides knew that. Look out for the next installment of Miss Marples you won't see the join.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
In The main House there was a TV company filming a Miss Marples episode but were resting on the day we were there. However in the great Hall the famous Rainbow painting of Elizabeth I was missing. Oh No it wasn't, it was hidden behind a specially built wall to protect it from the TV arc lights. Well this wall was an Oak contruction right up until you touched it, the reality-it was plastic, but not even the rooms guides knew that. Look out for the next installment of Miss Marples you won't see the join.
www.tudorhistorytours.com
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