This year marks the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII’s accession to the throne of England.  Henry Tudor is well-remembered for the important political, religious, and economic changes that occurred during his reign and that have shaped society ever since. But it was his succession of wives, his unpredictable and sometimes tyrannical behaviour, and of course his image - red-bearded and fat-bellied - that has cemented Henry as a truly unforgettable character who both fascinates and horrifies in equal measure.

To mark the occasion the Arts and Humanities Research Council is supporting a series of high-profile special events, organised by Historic Royal Palaces, many of which are taking place under the banner ‘Henry VIII: heads and hearts’ at Hampton Court Palace throughout the 2009 anniversary.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council has funded much of the research underpinning a number of important events scheduled to take place over the summer months. A series of public lectures to be held in the sumptuous surroundings of Hampton Court Palace’s Great Hall brings together experts from literature, academia and culture for a series of lively debates. Guest speakers are eminent historians, historical novelists, curators, directors and scholars including AHRC-funded academics Suzannah Lipscomb from the University of Oxford, and Professor Thomas Betteridge of Oxford Brookes University.

The Henrician Court was world-renowned for its dramatic performances. To this effect Professor Thomas Betteridge received AHRC funding to research and stage a play that was originally commissioned and performed back in 1533 for Henry VIII’s court. John Heywood’s The Play of the Weather is an allegory of the religious choices facing Henry in 1533.

In the play, the God Jupiter, representing Henry VIII, decides to come to earth and resolve the constant debates that humans have over which is the best kind of weather. He soon discovers though that it’s impossible to keep everyone happy, as while the washerwoman wants sun, the little boy desires snow, and so on. The play subtly argues that best thing for the King to do is nothing, as trying to please everyone will simply lead to yet more disputes.

The play, which will be performed in the Great Hall on 6 -8 August 2009, is a research-led performance. The process has been interdisciplinary and has involved scholars of drama, history and English working closely with Historic Royal Palaces staff alongside costume and set designers, actors, musicians and the director, Gregory Thompson, of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Professor Betteridge says, “We’ve really worked hard to consistently bring together detailed historic research and the theatre performance to work hand-in-hand. At times, these two disciplines have seemed quite disparate. There have been various obstacles and negotiations along the way, but the result is historically accurate performance, as well as an authentic and highly memorable theatre experience.”

For more information on: ‘Henry VIII: heads and hearts’ at Hampton Court Palace log on to: www.hrp.org.uk

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Media contact: Emi Spinner, Communications Officer, e.spinner@ahrc.ac.uk, 0117 9876770

About Arts and Humanities Research Council-
Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute over a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK. www.ahrc.ac.uk