Project blog

Discover the story behind our plans to bring to life Edward Watson, a 21-year old Tudor courtier who lived in Rutland at the time of Henry VIII's grand progress north in 1541.

A key element of the Henry on Tour project is the exploration of sites that Henry VIII visited during his royal progresses. One such destination was the small Rutland village of Lyddington - the subject of an extensive 3D visualisation detailing the arrival of Henry VIII's 1541 progress.

In Spring 1535, a young Tudor courtier named Nicholas Poyntz took a gamble. The royal progress that year indicated that the king was scheduled to spend four days in Bristol, followed by two days ‘at Mr Poyntz’s place’ - Acton Court. Read this blog piece to discover how a royal visit could make or break fortunes!

A significant feature of Henry VIII's life was music and the singing of the daily offices by The Chapel Royal. When on progress, a smaller 'Riding Chapel' composed of both men and boys was selected to travel with him. Learn more about this highly trained, exclusive group and their important role when travelling the kingdom.

Dr Judith Morgane recounts the series of events held as part of 'Hosting Henry VIII at Exeter' - the culmination of year's research, planning and coordination to create an imaginary visit of Henry VIII to the medieval town.

Learn how the Henry on Tour project concluded its three-year series of major public events with a procession and service of Vespers at Hampton Court Palace - a re-imagining of King Henry VIII and Emperor Charles V's grand joint progress in 1522.

Gaby Fields reflects on joining Henry on Tour's archaeological dig in collaboration with DigVentures at Petworth House in July 2024.

Join Helena Ruffle and Charlotte Newall as they reminisce on the Hosting Henry VIII events at West Horsley Place in 2024 and 2025.

It is just over 500 years since the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Katherine of Aragon’s nephew, visited England from late May to early July 1522 and undertook with Henry VIII and members of his court a magnificent joint progress around the south of England.

We're pleased to announce the release of the project CD Henry VIII on Tour: Music from Tudor Royal Progresses!

Find out how our 3D scanning trip to Bristol Museum helped shed more light on the intriguing progress venue Acton Court.

We are pleased to announce and support the experimental performances of a forgotten satirical drama, which will be taking place under the aegis of the Henry on Tour project.

Discover how the Henry on Tour project used cutting edge 3D scanning technology to shed light on a Tudor manor house.

From 19 to 31 July 2025 the grounds of Petworth House are hosting a major archaeological community dig under the auspices of the Henry on Tour project.

Exeter will be hosting a weekend of Tudor festivities and living history in June 2024 as part of Historic Royal Palaces’ Henry VIII on Tour.

In 1510, Henry VIII arrived at Christchurch Priory on the first substantial royal progress of his reign. Now, over 500 years later, Christchurch Priory will be hosting an enactment of the pre-Reformation liturgy and music of the Lady Mass and service of Compline as might have been heard during Henry's reign.

What did Henry VIII do at Christmas? Like today, it often involved music, guests and lots of food! Find out more about royal Tudor Christmases in this piece by Anthony Musson.

Find out about where the project has taken us during our investigations into the sites visited by Henry VIII as part of his progresses.

Royal progresses were an opportunity for ceremony, music and performance. How successful was Henry VIII’s visit to York as a piece of theatre and royal propaganda?

What was a royal progress, and why did Henry VIII come to York in 1541?

The King’s Manor is a key site in C.J. Sansom’s novel Sovereign. We explore the history of the building and its connection to Henry VIII.

Find out more about the production of Sovereign by the York Theatre Royal, hosted in the King's Manor in 2023.

On 1 June 1523 a solemn cortege set off from St Swithin’s in present-day London’s Cannon Street bearing the body of Lord Henry Marney, whom Henry VIII had visited during his progress of 1522. Read more about Henry Marney and the grand manor house of Layer Marney in this blog piece.