As Hton Court Palace celebrates its 500th anniversary in 2015, BBC Two brings a key event from the iconic building’s history vividly to life the christening of Henry’s son and heir Prince Edward, the future Edward VI
With so few surviving buildings left associated with events from this period of British history and the reign of Henry VIII, Lucy Worsley and David Starkey offer audiences an unprecedented insight into Henry VIII’s world Focusing on the events of 15 October 1537, A Night At Hton Court Palace will recreate the occasion that was a culmination of nearly three decades of Henry’s rule the birth of a male heir As Lucy and David eavesdrop across time, they reveal how Henry’s household came together to create an event that would have been perceived as almost magical by those who witnessed it
They will recreate the 90person grand procession that would have transported baby Edward to his torchlit christening service This was the best recorded occasion staged at Hton Court during Henry#39s VIII#39s reign, and the detailed records allow Lucy and David to show how this great celebration used every part of the palace, from the royal apartments to the kitchens to the Chapel Royal
Offering a unique opportunity to reveal how the many elements of court life would have been brought together, from art to architecture, religion and music, A Night At Hton Court Palace will capture a pageant that was deeply political but also carefully stagemanaged piece of performance art
