Tudor Summer Progress – Day 5
By Mike Glaeser
Eltham Palace and Gardens
While I couldn’t make it out to Bosworth where the Tudor dynasty began, I did make it to another location where the life of Henry VIII first took form. Although born at Greenwich, Henry spent most of his childhood in the close quarters of Eltham Palace. It was here that he first learned to read and write under the tutelage of his mother, Elizabeth of York. It was also at Eltham where the Humanist scholar Erasmus first met the young Prince. So the story goes, Erasmus did not have a gift for Henry upon his introduction. At dinner, Henry challenged Erasmus to write something for him. The resulting poems wax about Henry’s future greatness and for his need to be a just prince.
Besides Henry, other Tudor figures have visited the palace as well.
Cardinal Wolsey drew up the “Eltham Ordinances” in 1525 that set restrictions on courtier’s access to the King. Anne Boleyn was also at Eltham with her infant daughter Elizabeth in 1533-1534. Elizabeth would later return as Queen when she needed an escape from London.
Continue reading here.
Latest Comments