Special Services - Katharine of Aragon Commemoration Service 2011

This year on the 28th of January we held a Commemoration Service for Katharine of Aragon. Katharine was the first wife of Henry VIII, who was laid to rest in Peterborough Cathedral in 1536. More information about her story can be found by clicking here.

This colourful service was attended this year by around 600 people from the UK and overseas. Children from several local schools took part in the service with poetry reading, Spanish hymns, period dancing and choral presentations. In addition, there were contributions from the period instrumental group ‘Hautbois’ which heralded in the Civic procession from the Town Hall, led by The Mayor of Peterborough.

After the service the children attended a number of workshops around the Cathedral and also at the Town Hall. These varied from living history presentations given by Stuart Orme and his team from Peterborough Museum, to music workshops led by Hautbois, and a theatre workshop, which gave the children an interactive snapshot into the life and court of King Henry VIII.

In addition to the daytime activities, approximately 200 people turned out at dusk to take part in a candlelit procession of honour through the Cathedral and past Katharine’s tomb. The procession was a re-enactment of her funeral, where 1,000 candles were lit for Katharine by approximately 200 mourners in 1536.

Following the procession there was a short service of Vespers by candlelight, sung by Peterborough Cathedral Choir. The day drew to a close with an exciting and informative lecture on The Life & Times of Will Scarlett by Stuart Orme. As well as learning all about this historical figure who buried 2 queens in his lifetime, one of which was Katharine herself, we had the opportunity to sample a beer brewed in his memory. Old Scarlett – brewed especially for the Katharine of Aragon Festival by Castor Ales was available after the lecture.

For details of the 2011 Katharine of Aragon Festival Programme or to receive information on 2012 activities, find out more here.