News
Secrets of the Royal Palaces, 27 April 2024, Channel 5, “Tudor Palaces”
Secrets of the Royal Palaces returns with another fascinating episode, airing on Channel 5 on Saturday 27 April, exploring the secrets of the Tudor court and the splendour of Hampton Court Palace. Architectural historian Jonathan Foyle will guide us through the palace’s rich history, revealing how it was a radical departure from traditional architecture in the 16th century, with its use of trendy brick material. We’ll also get an up-close look at the 241 decorative brick chimneys that adorn the roof, usually only visible to chimney sweeps and birds.
Historian Kate Williams will indulge us with tales of extravagant Tudor banquets, including the startling “Coqz Heaumez”, a helmet-wearing chicken riding a pig. We’ll also learn about the Tudor monarch’s peculiar makeup ingredients, which included lead, mercury, dried beetles, and young boys’ urine.
The episode will further examine the history of St. James’s Palace, which was once the principal palace of the UK. We’ll discover why it is still considered the senior palace today and explore the fascinating lives of its royal residents.
Lastly, we’ll be taken on a tour of another surviving Tudor palace, the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich. We’ll learn about its significance as a royal hub during the Tudor era and its connection to important historical figures, including Henry VIII and his daughters, Elizabeth and Mary.
Secrets of the Royal Palaces airs on Channel 5 at 7.50 pm on Saturday, 27 April 2024.