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Trooping the Colour

Hogs Back Books — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:17:14 +0000

The Queen’s birthday is celebrated each year with the Trooping the Colour at Horseguards parade. Jousting took place here in the time of Henry VIII.

Location, location, location …

Hogs Back Books — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:41:13 +0000

By the time he died, Henry VIII owned 50 palaces, a royal record for England, including three new ones in London: Hampton Court, Whitehall Palace (where he died) and St James’ Palace (where he lay in state).

All in a stew …

Hogs Back Books — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:34:28 +0000

Henry VIII, is best remembered for chopping his off wives’ heads, but he introduced a more gruesome death for poisoners. The Bishop of Rochester’s cook, taking vengeance against an ungrateful master, added a toxic herb to a dish and two guests died. Henry ordered that the cook should be boiled alive in his own pot and this remained the standard punishment for poisoners for five years.

Feast fit for a King

Hogs Back Books — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:31:58 +0000

Henry VIII is famous for his 54 inch waist. In one month (November 1531) Henry and his friends ate 24 cows, 100 sheep, 51 deer, 91 pigs, 700 chickens, 444 pigeons, 168 swans and more than 400 larks. I wonder … Continue reading →

First service

Hogs Back Books — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:29:47 +0000

Henry VIII was a keen tennis player. He invented the ‘service’ – his servants used to throw the ball up in the air for him because he was too fat to do it himself. While his second wife Ann Boleyn was being beheaded at Tower Green, Henry played tennis at Hampton Court. The tennis court is still in use today.

Horse Guards

Hogs Back Books — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:21:45 +0000

Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground. It was formerly the site of the Palace of Whitehall’s tilt yard, where tournaments were held between knights in armour in the time of Henry VIII. Today it is the scene of the annual celebrations of the Monarch’s official birthday — the Trooping of the Colour.