With funds dwindling and still over a month to go before I start work again, (OK, my own fault, I should have looked for a temporary job during the off season) I've had to review the 60 before 60 list and look at some of the cheaper options. When I saw that Hampton Court Palace was offering 50% off admission, I thought excellent, I'll do that (£13.60 instead of £27.20 - every bit counts).
With a sunny day forecast (still freezing, but winter is slightly more bearable when the sun is shining), I got myself a half price ticket, packed a sandwich and set off.
Hampton Court Palace was home to Henry VIII, his wives and their children . Can't say the name Henry VIII without humming the old Herman's Hermits song:
I'm Henery the Eighth, I am
Henery the Eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And everyone was a Henery (Henery)
She wouldn't have Willie or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henery
Henery the Eighth, I am! Second verse same as the first.........
My knowledge of British history remains woefully pitiful and apart from the song, all I knew about good old Henry is that he was a Tudor, married 6 times, loved his food and if you were one of his wives it was best to keep on his good side. TBH, I know even less about the monarchs that came after him.
After a quick read, I now know that he was the King from 22 April 1509 until his death on 28 January 1547, that he was responsible for separating the Church of England, appointing himself as head honcho of said church and getting rid of convents and monasteries for which he was excommunicated by the pope.
Surprisingly, I knew a little more about his six wives, (Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived) helped along by a very interesting chat by one of the historians at the palace who gave a talk on Anne Boleyn. And a way to remember their names "Arrogant Boys Seem Clever, Howard Particularly", Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, Catherine Parr. Apparently, he was a pretty good husband, well apart from the numerous mistresses and those couple of beheadings.
Back to the Palace, it's big and the Great Hall and Tudor kitchens, along with Henry VIII's Apartments, were all worth seeing. Food was obs a big part of Henry's day. There is also a baroque palace built for William III along with various other buildings (chocolate kitchen? Sure, why not every home should have one). The gardens are large and pretty special. There is a maze which looks small. but took me a ridiculously long time to get out of. There is even an old Royal Tennis Court that is still used today and has over 500 members.
All up, it was a great day and well worth the visit. I also had to change buses in Kingston Upon Thames so as an added bonus, I got to see the fabulous Gillie and Marc sculptures that were there. 21st tick off the list. I'm over a third of the way - both in ticks and time.
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