cotswolds katherine parr 2012
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Cotswolds to celebrate a Queens quincentenary, in 2012
Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe village are planning to welcome the world to a very special
Tudor-themed Katherine Parr Festival which not only coincides with the current Queens
Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, but also with the Cultural Olympiad.
Further details of the year-long festival in The Cotswolds to mark the quincentenary of
Sudeley Castles Queen in 2012 have just been unveiled, and include many highlights
including the appearance of several of the UKs foremost historians, authors, and gardeners.
At its heart, however, will lie a very special Katherine Parr Exhibition featuring items from the
Castles own collection, as well as several other pieces on loan from other national and
historic collections.
A new film, presented by Dr David Starkey featuring many of the artefacts which will be on
display next year and illustrating Katherines life at Sudeley Castle, with additional footage
both inside and outside the Castle is also in the process of being made.
And families will also be well-catered for during monthly Tudor Fun Days involving falconry,
minstrels, characters in period costume & childrens games.
Ticketed events will include:
-The Pleasure of your Company afternoon teas with Lady Ashcombe and specially invited
guests.
-Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch presenter of the award-winning BBC series The History of
Christianity.
-Historian Alison Weir.
-Katherine Parr authors Linda Porter, Susan James, and Janel Mueller.
-Garden historian and designer Sir Roddy Llewellyn.
One of the major highlights of the year is likely to be June 15 th, when Dr David Starkey will
give a talk on Katherine Parr, followed by a champagne reception. On September 8th Dr
Starkey returns to Sudeley Castle for a Tudor themed banquet at which he will address the
guests.
And on September 9th, Sudeley Castle will re-enact Katherine Parrs funeral, following the
original service and music.
Late July/early August Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum will also be joining in the year-
long festival by holding two weeks of activities for children at Sudeley Castle
Both of Winchcombes major annual festivals - Winchcombe Welcomes Walkers on May 18th-
20th; and the Winchcombe Festival of Music & Arts (provisionally 29th May to 4th June) - will
also contribute to the Katherine Parr Festival in 2012.
Born in 1512, Queen Katherine Parr was the last of Henry VIIIs six wives. After the Kings
death in 1547, Katherine married Lord Seymour of Sudeley and lived her last days, died and
was buried at Sudeley Castle, in Winchcombe.
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Katherine was by all standards a remarkable Tudor woman: beautiful enough to marry the
King of England; shrewd enough to remain his Queen despite court plots and an attempt on
her life; and courageous enough to sustain the Protestant cause.
She was Regent of England during Henrys invasion of France in 1544. And with her
publication of religious works Prayers and Meditationsand Lamentation of a Sinnershe
became not only the first English Queen to publish a work of prose, but also the first woman
to do so in the 16th century.
Dr. David Starkey who is the Festivals Historical Advisor has already stated that he is
pleased that she will finally get her due recognition as one of the most interesting figures in
Tudor history.
The Festival as a whole will also help to put Sudeley Castle - home of Lord and Lady
Ashcombe, Henry and Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst and their families under the spotlight once
again.
Sudeleys gardens are regarded as amongst the very best in England, from the centrepiece
Queens' Garden with hundreds of varieties of old fashioned roses, to the Herbal Healing
Garden which was introduced for the 2011 season. Visitors can also see Katherine Parrs
tomb in St Marys Church.
Details of the Katherine Parr Festival, can be found at www.sudeleycastle.co.uk.
For tourist information, including accommodation in The Cotswolds, visit www.cotswolds.com
[Ends]
For further information, and images, please contact:Chris DeeT: 01452-328302E: [email protected]
http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk/http://www.cotswolds.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk/http://www.cotswolds.com/mailto:[email protected]