Hampton Court

Hampton Court was the favorite palace of King Henry VIII. When we visited, they were having a Tudor Summer Fayre. It was a neat aspect of the palace. King Henry and Anne Boleyn were wondering around and taking place in events. There were leather workers, potters, pewter workers, tailors, and even someone selling spices! We saw the kitchens where all the food King Henry ever needed was prepared. It was giant! There had to be at least 50 rooms. The fireplace alone took up a whole room. We saw a presentation on manners in King Henry's time. Pretty much, you used your fingers, and on the rare occasion perhaps a fork and knife. We saw a man making meat pies for King Henry's feast. It was really interesting. The people back then did not eat the crust. They simply broke open the crust and ate the meat out. We then saw King Henry's apartments. They were also huge. Tapestries and painting hung on the walls, cushions lay scattered around the floors. Other monarchs though also lived at Hampton Court though, including William III and Mary II, Charles I, and Charles II. We walked through William III apartments, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the same architect who designed half of London including St. Paul's. They were starkly different than Henry VIII apartments. Henry had a heavier style, tapestries hung over  dark cold wood walls. William's apartments soared. When you first entered, you were greeted by a mural painted on every wall. The next room was covered in weapons, but the weapons formed designs, they weren't just placed randomly. Each room had high ceilings and floor length windows that let in the light and also gave a lovely view of the gardens. The rest of his rooms were all his reception rooms, each growing fancier and fancier. We actually didn't see all his apartments because we wanted to catch some of the Tudor Fayre. So, we headed out to see some things. We got to see hunting hawks. Those birds were giant! We watched one eat a piece of meat, and the hawk tore into it, devouring into it in a matter of seconds. They had a punishment for trying to steal one of King Henry's birds. You would be thrown into a dungeon, and a hawk, which had not eaten for a matter of days, would be put in with you. The hawk was so hungry, it would start eating the prisoner. Isn't that awful? We got to see a knight dress for battle. We got there a little late, so we couldn't see very well. He kind of looked like Peter and Edmund in The Chronicles of Narnia, except he was bulkier, and his skirt was more poofed. But the best part was the fight. These two guys, one a leather worker and the other a tailor, started yelling at each other about the quality of there wares. Then the leather worker drew a knife. (Don't worry it looked plastic!!) This was illeagal to do in King Henry's court, so the leather worker was going to have his hand cut off. So out rushes another vendor with an ax! (This one was real!!) But just about as they were going to cut off the hand, a close friend of King Henry's yelled at them about taking the King's justice into their own hands. But it still wasn't over! They whole lot of them were marched  to King Henry himself, and the leather worker and the tailor were made to wrestle. The leather worker won. Then King Henry and his friend fought! King Henry won those, but he had to, if the other guy had won, he would have been beheaded, or thrown in prison, or some other punishment. Then it finally ended, and we headed out to try the maze. That was one of my favorite parts. It wasn't one where you knew exactly where to go, and you couldn't get lost or anything. You couldn't really get lost in this one either, but you be following your path and all the sudden hit a dead end. That still left three other paths to choose! We eventually made it to the center of the maze, and out into the open air. Then we saw more of the private gardens with their fountains and roses and picture perfect lawns. Then we settled down with some lovely ice cream, and headed back into the palace for one last event. King Henry was inspecting the wares. He was pretty much pleased with everything, except the natural philosopher, which he skipped over. I guess he didn't like philosophy. Then he and Anne left for the hunt. It was a wonderful afternoon, and we can't wait to go back!