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Glamping goes Tudor: historians to remake Henry VIII’s opulent tent Glamping goes Tudor: historians to remake Henry VIII’s opulent tent
(4 months later)
Tudor monarchs did not travel light. Vast tents – with great halls and multiple chambers, sumptuous furniture and fabrics of gold and velvet – used to accompany them on their journeys to far-flung areas of the realm, and even to battlefields. But not a single remnant of these extraordinary displays of wealth and power has survived, and little, if any, research has been done on their design.Tudor monarchs did not travel light. Vast tents – with great halls and multiple chambers, sumptuous furniture and fabrics of gold and velvet – used to accompany them on their journeys to far-flung areas of the realm, and even to battlefields. But not a single remnant of these extraordinary displays of wealth and power has survived, and little, if any, research has been done on their design.
Now Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) has launched an ambitious project to reconstruct a huge section of one of Henry VIII’s tents, an edifice whose spectacular appearance is hinted at by a surviving design in the British Library. Covered in exquisite red cloth, it is decorated with Tudor roses and has tent poles topped by “king’s beasts”, including heraldic antelopes.Now Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) has launched an ambitious project to reconstruct a huge section of one of Henry VIII’s tents, an edifice whose spectacular appearance is hinted at by a surviving design in the British Library. Covered in exquisite red cloth, it is decorated with Tudor roses and has tent poles topped by “king’s beasts”, including heraldic antelopes.
Charles Farris, a research associate on the project, entitled Portable Palaces: Royal Tents and Timber Lodgings 1509-1603 and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, said the reconstruction would explore how multi-compartmental tents were put together.Charles Farris, a research associate on the project, entitled Portable Palaces: Royal Tents and Timber Lodgings 1509-1603 and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, said the reconstruction would explore how multi-compartmental tents were put together.
In the grounds of Hampton Court Palace – Henry VIII’s seat of power – a large rectangular tent, measuring 15 metres by six, will be attached to a circular tent about five metres in diameter, with a conical roof. That, in turn, will be connected by a corridor tent 3.5 metres long by 2.5 metres wide.In the grounds of Hampton Court Palace – Henry VIII’s seat of power – a large rectangular tent, measuring 15 metres by six, will be attached to a circular tent about five metres in diameter, with a conical roof. That, in turn, will be connected by a corridor tent 3.5 metres long by 2.5 metres wide.
Alden Gregory, architectural historian and the HRP curator of historic buildings, told the Observer: “My background is in researching great palaces and elite houses in this period, the early 16th century, but there’s a real gap in our knowledge about these temporary structures.”Alden Gregory, architectural historian and the HRP curator of historic buildings, told the Observer: “My background is in researching great palaces and elite houses in this period, the early 16th century, but there’s a real gap in our knowledge about these temporary structures.”
The research project has set out to discover the architectural significance of these portable palaces, including how they were made, transported, dismantled and regularly re-erected.The research project has set out to discover the architectural significance of these portable palaces, including how they were made, transported, dismantled and regularly re-erected.
HRP, which oversees six historic palaces, is helping with preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the meeting that took place outside Calais in 1520 between Henry VIII and François I of France. A famous contemporary painting depicts that meeting, with the great golden tents from which it took its name featured in the background.HRP, which oversees six historic palaces, is helping with preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the meeting that took place outside Calais in 1520 between Henry VIII and François I of France. A famous contemporary painting depicts that meeting, with the great golden tents from which it took its name featured in the background.
Both kings competed to outdo the other with the opulence of their tents, as well as feasts and jousting. At that time the White Tower at the Tower of London was the tallest building in London, yet one of the French tents was even taller – made of canvas covered with cloth of gold.Both kings competed to outdo the other with the opulence of their tents, as well as feasts and jousting. At that time the White Tower at the Tower of London was the tallest building in London, yet one of the French tents was even taller – made of canvas covered with cloth of gold.
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The ObserverThe Observer
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British LibraryBritish Library
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