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LadyTudorsFan |
Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 24 2012, 5:51 PM EST
I visited Peterborough Cathedral at the weekend, which is the final resting place of Catherine of Aragon. Her tomb was quite hidden away in between a British and Spanish flag and it had the title "Queen Katherine" above it (I think this indicates a modern addition because she was definitely not called the Queen at the time of her death). It is still a place of pilgrimage - people had left pomegranates on it and rosaries. Every year, they have an annual remembrance service for her where the Spanish Ambassador visits too - their next service is next weekend where they have a Catherine of Aragon festival. It's almost unusual I think for them to do this for someone that died five centuries ago because it's not a common occurence - well, with the exception of Shakespeare and the mystery person that leaves a bouquet of flowers at the Tower of London for Anne Boleyn every May 19th! Maybe it's a sign of guilt - she was treated so badly and this is a sign of respecting her memory from both England and Spain? The following link has more details about Peterborough Cathedral: http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/ 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?
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Catherine of Aragon
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royalfalcon |
1. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 24 2012, 6:15 PM EST
Thank you for that information Daniellel. I have a feeling that the addition of "Queen Katherine " might date back to Victorian times. Yes, I am also certain it was not put there in Tudor times. Actually King Charles I is also remembered on the anniversary of his death (30th January) each year at the Banqueting House in London.. The only remaining part of Henry's old palace of Whitehall. - of course, this is where Charles was executedl. I believe flowers are laid outside and there is a church service within the Banqueting Hall itself . This is a beautiful hall which has a famous and very beautiful Rubens ceilling - which is thought to be one of the last sights Charles would have seen as he passed through the hall onto a balcony for his execution. Do you find this valuable? |
freya9 |
2. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 25 2012, 3:47 PM EST
The other side in the civil war is also remembered. The Cromwell society has a formal dinner every year on the 25th April to mark Oliver's birthday. I'm going to Peterborough on Friday for the Catherine of Aragon service and am really looking forward to it.
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LadyTudorsFan |
3. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 25 2012, 5:37 PM EST
Yeah I've seen the Rubens ceiling - it's just amazing! :)Lol I hope it goes well Freya - I didn't know about it till last weekend otherwise I would have gone this weekend instead! :) Do you find this valuable? |
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royalfalcon |
4. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 26 2012, 3:03 AM EST
Enjoy the service at Peterborough Freya - it shoul be really goodI worked at The Banqueting Hall a few days last summer. It is one of the five palaces looked after by Hstoricic Royal Palaces who I work for as a volunteer..- it is an amazing place. Do you find this valuable? |
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LadyTudorsFan |
5. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 26 2012, 5:05 PM EST
I went to a Summer Party at the Banquetting Hall a couple of years back. Ironically it rained cats and dogs! :)
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royalfalcon |
6. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 26 2012, 5:29 PM EST
They have a lot of celebrity functions there as well
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freya9 |
7. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 28 2012, 6:01 AM EST
| Post edited: Jan 28 2012, 6:04 AM EST
The service on Friday was lovely. Three groups of children sang Tudor songs, a lady in period dress read out Catherine's last letter to the King and someone read out a passage in the bible praising good wives in Spanish. I also had a chat with one of the ladies in Tudor dress who told me some very interesting things about Martins (the Tudors believed they gave birth through their ears !). During the service the minister said something that made me think. He said Catherine would be pleased to see so many people gathered to honour her and then went on to say how good it was that there were christians from so many traditions in attendance. I wonder what Catherine would have thought if she could see so many people who in her own time would have been considered heretics present ? Would she have been pleasantly surprised or shocked to see the way the different churches interact with each other today ?
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LadyTudorsFan |
8. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 30 2012, 5:30 PM EST
Thanks for that Freya. :) Yeah it definitely would have been interesting to know her reaction. The place definitely had a peaceful and happy vibe to it too - some places you go to have something that's not right about them (such as the Tower of London, particularly St. Peter Ad Vincula, which isn't a surprise), but the Cathedral definitely had a sense of peace to it. Hopefully this is an indication that Catherine herself after suffering so much in her life is now happy and at peace.
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royalfalcon |
9. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Jan 30 2012, 6:05 PM EST
| Post edited: Jan 30 2012, 6:07 PM EST
I find quite a special atmosphere at St Peter Ad Vincula. I have helped out for the last four years at the Carol Servicce there - they have an amazing choir.. However, I know what you mean - I cannot help but think about all the people that are buried there. Mostly people that came to a violent end. The Tower is very atmospheric at night though.
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LadyTudorsFan |
10. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Feb 2 2012, 5:49 PM EST
"I find quite a special atmosphere at St Peter Ad Vincula. I have helped out for the last four years at the Carol Servicce there - they have an amazing choir.. However, I know what you mean - I cannot help but think about all the people that are buried there. Mostly people that came to a violent end. The Tower is very atmospheric at night though."Whenever I've been in there, I could always feel sadness there. A poet once described it as one of the saddest places on earth and I don't think they were exaggerating. Well, definitely not as peaceful as Peterborough Cathedral anyway! Do you find this valuable? |
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freya9 |
11. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Feb 4 2012, 6:11 AM EST
I've never had sad feeelings when I have visited the chapel but then its always been packed with tourists when I've been there. I have often wished I could go there alone to properly drink in the atmosphere.
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royalfalcon |
12. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Feb 4 2012, 6:41 AM EST
As I have said I have always felt that there was a special atmosphere. However, I have been in the chapel for Carol Services and also on bright sunny days. It does cross my mind that many are buried there - but I hope that they are now at peace.
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freya9 |
13. RE: Catherine of Aragon's tomb
Feb 4 2012, 2:59 PM EST
I suppose it's a state of mind. During last summer because I didn't have a garden I used to take my book up to the local church graveyard. It felt really peaceful and beautiful with the flowers and the birds singing. But I can see how someone else might find it a little weird.
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