Alison Weir Tours

THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII TOUR

A ROYAL PROGRESS: An escorted tour led by Alison Weir.




14th to 23rd July 2013

“Henry VIII went on progress almost every summer of his reign. His purpose was not only to see his realm and be seen by his subjects, but also to enjoy the hunting that was had in other parts… In the summer of 1535, the King embarked with Anne Boleyn on one of the most important progresses of his reign…” 
                                                 (Alison Weir: Henry VIII: King and Court) 

Join us as we depart on our own royal progress, following partly in the footsteps of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, visiting the places where they stayed in that distant summer, and other fabulous historic sites connected with Henry’s six wives. Lodge in spendour like kings and queens in castles where they actually slept, and enjoy a luxurious tour enriched with historical insights from expert historians.

The story of Henry VIII and his queens is world-famous. A king marrying six times was as astonishing in Tudor times as it is now, but Henry and his wives continue to fascinate because they were intriguing and dynamic characters whose lives were often dramatic and tragic. Henry was married to pious and faithful Katherine of Aragon for twenty-four years, but her failure to bear him a son, his doubts about the validity of their union, and his passion for Anne Boleyn drove him to pursue one of the most controversial divorce cases in history. Anne Boleyn, the mother of Elizabeth I, was vivacious, clever and determined, but was queen for just a thousand days before she was executed for adultery and treason. Jane Seymour had the makings of a matriarch, but died in childbed after bearing Henry his longed-for son, Edward VI. Henry took one look at Anne of Cleves and was revolted; their marriage lasted six months, but they became such firm friends later that there were rumours they might remarry. Young Katherine Howard had an immoral past, but Henry married her, thinking her virtuous, then had her beheaded after her adultery was discovered. That impacted badly on the ageing King, and by the time he married his sixth wife, Katherine Parr, he was a semi-invalid. Katherine, a learned woman with dangerous religious views, survived him, only to be betrayed by her fourth husband and die in childbed.

On this tour, you will visit many splendid historic locations connected with Henry VIII and his wives, hear their stories, listen to guest speakers and be guided by experts on the period. Forget The Tudors – come and learn the truth!         

9 nights with breakfast included:

3 nights at Hever Castle, Kent
3 nights at Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
2 nights at Congham Hall, Norfolk
1 night at the Bloomsbury Hotel, London

Also included:

Welcome buffet lunch in London
Welcome dinner in Hever Castle’s Dining Hall, once the Great Hall of the Boleyns
Dinner at the King Henry VIII Inn, Hever
Dinner at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Bough Beech
Dinner at Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Dinner at Congham Hall, Norfolk
London dinner cruise on the River Thames

Visiting:

Hever Castle
Hampton Court
The Tower of London
Windsor Castle
Ludlow Castle
Acton Court
Sudeley Castle
Kimbolton Castle
Buckden Towers
Peterborough Cathedral
Gainsborough Old Hall
Lincoln Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace
Oxburgh Hall