Revelling into rich Tudor past of city (From Daily Echo)

Tudor Revels to promote history of Southampton

3:20pm Friday 10th August 2012 in Heritage News By Keith Hamilton, Shipping & Heritage Reporter

TIME travellers step this way! Southampton is about to journey back through the centuries to Tudor times.

The lilting tune of Greensleeves, Henry VIII and his six wives, the English reformation, and the tragic tale of Lady Jane Grey all combined to make the Tudor years one of the most famous periods of history.

Now an exciting new programme of events and activities will bring Southampton’s Tudor history to life this summer, autumn, and into the new year.

The Heritage Lottery-funded Tudor Revels will showcase the fascinating heritage, archives and real lives of Southampton people during this tumultuous era.

All the Tudor monarchs visited Southampton, which, as today, was an important port and thriving trading town at the heart of many pivotal events that took place in England during this defining period of history.

The first event of Tudor Revels will take place tomorrow at The Old Bowling Green Open Day from 11am to 1pm.

There will be a chance to tour the green through Tudor eyes, when bowling was considered an unlawful gambling game!

The Tudor Revels events, including walks and shows, then continues throughout the rest of the year.

One of the highspots of Southampton’s Tudor Revels calendar will take place on Saturday September 29 and Sunday September 30, as the city celebrates Michaelmas Fair.

Bugle Street and the surrounding area will be packed full of activities giving a glimpse into what the town was like at the time.

Throughout the weekend visitors will be able to try music workshops in singing and lute, experience Tudor games, listen to a concert of the time as well as touring and exploring St Michael’s Church and Bugle Street.

Tudor House will also host a number of events while the actors from Southampton’s Sarah Siddons Fan Club will perform three 20-minute productions based on true stories from the period, plus a procession and market, where it will be possible to meet 16th century “townsfolk’’.

Dr Cheryl Butler, organiser of the Tudor Revels, said, “The events are inspired by the wealth of original documents in Southampton’s archives.

“We wanted to bring those to life and shed light on a turbulent but largely unknown part of Southampton’s history.

It’s a celebration of Southampton and our strong Tudor past.”

Most events are free and all family-friendly.

For details of all events from nowuntil January visit tudorrevels.co.uk .