London's blue-blooded history
When you think of Great Britain’s capital London, one of the first features that will come to your mind is the river Thames. This is no coincidence. If you, for instance, look at
old maps, the river, in defiance of the many changes and developments the city
went through over the centuries, has always been a constant feature. It’s a major part of London’s history.
Another thing that will come to your mind immediately, when thinking about England, is the monarchy and its thousand-years tradition. Both of these characteristics often played together in their histories, which is to be the topic of this website. In what way did the monarchy use the river, and celebrated processions and pageants on it?
(Video 'Royal River' by the Port of London Authority, used by their kind permission)
We will have a closer look at the Tudor dynasty, who ruled from 1485 to 1603, and who were the first to establish and develop royal river processions. It was during their reign that the Thames was in its prime. We will find out, why the Tudor kings and queens were the first to do river processions, what happened after their succession, and what of their traditions can be found on the river today.
Britain is one of the few countires in which history and royal traditions are still present today. And what seems to be certain, is that London’s fascination and beauty is due to the Thames and it’s royal history, which makes it one of the greatest rivers in the world.
Britain is one of the few countires in which history and royal traditions are still present today. And what seems to be certain, is that London’s fascination and beauty is due to the Thames and it’s royal history, which makes it one of the greatest rivers in the world.
William Dunbar, 1501
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Sumita Sinha-Jordan, 2005
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