Henry VIII: Man and Monarch

Prey silence for the historical falconers

A slightly rainy Piazza today saw some fascinating talks on falconry as it would have been practised in Henry's court.

The husband-and-wife team of Raphael Falconry, Britain's only historical falconers, appeared in period costume - and accompanied by a couple of their birds.

It's not an activity for the faint of heart, as Mike Raphael told us while flashing his half-moon knife: the falconer has to routinely dispatch (that is, kill with gruesome efficiency) anything the bird has caught, lest it injure the bird in its struggle.

You can read a blogger's report on the event at Nikki's Adventures in Europe.

Philippa Gregory podcast: Bonus MP3

If you enjoyed the Philippa Gregory podcast we talked about yesterday, hear this bonus MP3 of audience questions and answers following the lecture (17min 20sec, 9.9MB):

(Or play it in your default media player.)

New podcast: Philippa Gregory on Henry's inner life

Philippa Gregory has a remarkable ability to bring to life the world and relationships of the Tudors. Her many works, including The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, and the forthcoming The White Queen build vivid storytelling around detailed historical research.

As well as sharing her research on Henry and her thoughts on his psychology, Philippa discusses Henry’s relationships with – and, at times, fear of – women throughout his life.

The talk was recorded at the British Library on 8 July 2009, and is part of a series of events complementing the exhibition.

Or play in your default media player

David Starkey final podcast: Bonus MP3

If you enjoyed the David Starkey podcast we talked about yesterday, hear this bonus MP3 of audience questions and answers following the lecture (14min, 5.4MB):

(Or play it in your default media player.)

New David Starkey podcast

We've put up a new podcast. In 'The Achievement: 1533-1547', the third and final lecture of his enthralling series, David Starkey examines the paradox of Henry VIII's life.

For the divorce from Katherine of Aragon and break from Rome, which wrecked Henry's character, also laid the foundations for the great achievements of his reign.

The lecture was recorded at the British Library on Tuesday 30 June 2009.

Help us write the Henry songbook

There's a piano, open for anyone to play, in the Piazza right now.

It's part of an art project called Street Pianos: 30 of them are installed in various locations (mostly outdoors) around London until 13 July. It's meant to encourage community spirit, with some singalongs and impromptu performances.

The street pianos all come with songbooks, and in some locations the songs are chosen to reflect the location. The songbook for Bank's piano, for instance, has songs including Money, money, money and We're in the money.

Sadly, the one here at the British Library just has the standard songbook selection (Dancing queen, Walk on by and so on). We think it should have songs related to the Henry VIII exhibition. Here's a few suggestions:
First cut is the deepest
D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
Kiss me Kate... Anne, Jane, Anne, Kate and Kate
I could not love you, More
Subterranean Romesick blues

No doubt you can do better... or worse...

Pictures from Henry VIII event last Wednesday

More pics

Last Wednesday night saw a range of late-night events at the Library, from 7-11pm, accompanying our Henry VIII exhibition.

The evening featured a concert from the outstanding early music group Alamire of music by and for Henry VIII, as well as jesters, circus acts and comedians, and the extraordinary Tudor-prog-rock of Circulus. Henry VIII himself also put in an appearance.

The photo here comes from the Flickr site of Aneta Grochowska, where you can find a set of pictures from the evening.

Still time to hear sublime music from Alamire

Outstanding early music group Alamire have just given a free lunchtime concert of music by and for Henry VIII in the Entrance Hall of the Library (above). For a brief flavour listen to this MP3 (30 sec, 200 KB):

(Or play it in your default media player.)

Alamire also feature in one of our Henry VIII podcasts. The 17-minute special features experts talking about music written by and for Henry, and includes a full performance of the remarkable 'Rose Canon', Salve radix.

You can hear Alamire again tonight in our tickets-only Late at the Library event, from 7 to 11pm.

The event also features jesters, circus acts and comedians, and the extraordinary Tudor-prog-rock of Circulus. Admission is just £10, which includes entry to the Henry VIII exhibition (which is staying open late).

David Starkey podcast: bonus MP3

If you enjoyed the David Starkey podcast we talked about yesterday, hear this bonus MP3 of audience questions and answers following the lecture (16min, 6.5MB):

(Or play it in your default media player.)

New podcast: Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall

We've put up a new podcast. In this 66-minute interview, author Hilary Mantel reads from and discusses her book Wolf Hall, set in the world of Henry VIII’s notorious chief minister Thomas Cromwell.

The recording was made in front of a studio audience at the British Library on Wednesday 27 May. It is introduced and hosted by Erica Wagner, literary editor of the Times, and also features historian Derek Wilson.