It was on 2 July 1522 when Henry VIII visited Bishop’s Waltham Palace to sign The Treaty of Waltham with Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, making official their alliance against Francis I of France.
Now, to commemorate this historic occasion, Bishop’s Waltham is hosting a Where’s Henry trail. Don’t miss the chance to see Henry VIII and his entourage parade around the town and there will be a two-day Tudor event with history demos, medieval activities and a banquet – all are welcome!
Where’s Henry Trail (Sat 16 – Fri 22 April)
Children aged up to 11 years old and their families can take part in the Where’s Henry Trail by picking up a trail leaflet and exploring the town to find 20 models of Henry VIII which will be ‘hidden’ in High Street shop windows. Each model will be numbered and have a question about Henry VIII and the Tudors. After finding all the models, complete the answers on the trail leaflet and hand it in to either Best Wishes or Sweet Corner (leaflets can also be picked up from both), children will get an ‘I found Henry’ badge and a sweet treat. All correct answers will be entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to the two-day Tudor Experience in July.
Credit: Bishop’s Waltham Photographic Society
Here’s Henry Walking Tableau and Where’s Henry Trail prize draw (Sat 23 April)
Henry VIII and his entourage will be parading around the town. Catch them between 10.30am and 10.45am walking down the centre of the High Street to St. George’s Square, accompanied by Tudor music. The event will close with a prize draw in The Square – when Henry will draw three lucky winners from the Where’s Henry Trail, each winner will receive two complimentary tickets to the Tudor Experience.
Henry VIII Tudor Experience (Sat 2 and Sun 3 July)
The Henry VIII Tudor Experience takes place on the exact date of Henry VIII’s original visit 500 years ago – at the same location (albeit now in ruins) where he signed The Treaty of Waltham. Held in the Bishop’s Waltham Palace Grounds, the experience will educate and entertain visitors with Tudor re-enactments and living history demonstrations. There will be an exhibition in the Bishop’s Waltham Museum (on the grounds of the ruins) plus falconry displays, archery, puppetry, story telling, crafts, dance, music and theatre. There’s even a traditional Tudor banquet on the Saturday night with attendees encouraged to come in Tudor costume. The setting for the banquet will be Tudor themed with food inspired by a traditional Tudor banquet and a court jester to entertain! The daytime event will be ticketed (£10 for an adult daily ticket), but primary school children will get in for free and older children at a discounted price. Tickets will be available online and from village shops from late April. Banquet tickets will be sold separately.
Henry VIII and his entourage will also be making guest appearances at various local events throughout June.
For information about all the events visit the Henry 500 years website and like on Facebook.
Publicity materials for the Where’s Henry Trail and Here’s Henry event and costumes have been paid for through a grant from the Welcome Back Fund – administered by Winchester City Council on behalf of the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government.
