The popular Tudor-themed festival will take place from 25th – 27th January 2019. It marks the date in January 1536 when King Henry VIII’s first wife was buried at Peterborough Abbey, having died in exile at Kimbolton Castle. She rests at the Cathedral to this day.

The Festival programme includes a talk by the bestselling historian and author Tracy Borman at the John Clare Theatre, Tudor history tours of the city and cathedral, drop-in living history days for families at Vivacity Peterborough Museum and a candlelit ‘Merrie Tudor Evening’ with hog roast and period musicians at the cathedral.

The Festival starts with the traditional Service of Commemoration for schoolchildren and dignitaries at 10.30am on Friday 25th January. Wreaths will be laid on Queen Katharine’s tomb and all are welcome to attend. School groups then stay for a Tudor day in the cathedral, and later visitors can take the Tudor Peterborough Walk, exploring the city’s historic centre with a costumed guide.

On Saturday and Sunday there is a drop-in living history event for families at the Museum, ‘At Home with the Tudors’, where visitors can meet the barber surgeon, an armourer and a Tudor lady. On Saturday family-friendly tours of the cathedral will be led by ‘Old Scarlett the Tudor gravedigger’ at 10.00am, 11.00am and 1.00pm and children participating will get a free copy of the ‘Monks, Mischief and Marauders’ activity book.

On Saturday at 7.00pm ‘A Merrie Tudor Evening’ takes place in the beautiful 16th Century New Building at the cathedral, with a Tudor-style supper, period music and a candlelit tour. Meanwhile, at 7.30pm in the John Clare Theatre, Tracy Borman will be speaking on the theme of ‘Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him’. King Henry is famous for his tumultuous marriages, but this talk will look at his personality through different eyes. 

With family activities, tours, talks and music, there is plenty to interest people of all ages. For more details and ticket prices please visit www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/katharine.aspx or vivacity.org, or call Peterborough Information Centre on 01733 452336.

Programme

Follow this link to see the full programme for the Katharine of Aragon Festival 2019

The Katharine of Aragon Festival is a collaboration between Peterborough Cathedral and Vivacity.