St Peter's 500th
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The 500th Anniversary of the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula Please note that the programme of events has been unavoidably disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula is celebrating its 500th anniversary in 2020. There was a chapel on this site before the Norman conquest, repaired by Henry III from the year 1420 onwards. In 1286 Henry's son Edward I had the old chapel demolished and built a new one which survived until it was largely destroyed by fire in 1512. In 1519 work began under Henry VIII on the Tudor chapel which we see today, where the first service is believed to have taken place on 01 August 1520. This is a special year for HM Tower of London but, particularly, for the community that supports the Chapel Royal - a Chapel that represents the spiritual heart of the Tower and the community that live and work here. A remarkable series of events has been put together to celebrate this important anniversary. They range from lectures on the Chapel’s history t0 special commemorative services and readings, musical concerts and even a flower festival. Unsurprisingly, the programme is dominated by music and a recurring theme of the year is a new hymn written especially by Lord Williams of Oystermouth and set to music by our own Master of Music, Colm Carey. Follow the links at the right to see reports of these events as the year unfolds. A summary list of them, followed by details and how to attend, appears below:
Summary:
The 500th Anniversary of the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula In 2020 the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula celebrates the 500th year of its completion. There was a chapel on this site before the Norman conquest, repaired by Henry III from the year 1420 onwards. In 1286 Henry's son Edward I had the old chapel demolished and built a new one which survived until it was largely destroyed by fire in 1512. In 1519 work began under Henry VIII on the Tudor chapel which we see today, where the first service is believed to have taken place on 01 August 1520. A number of events are taking place during 2020 to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Chapel. Follow the links at the left to see reports of them as the year unfolds. A summary list of the events, followed by details and how to attend them, appear below: Summary: 8 January, 11am 4 February, 7pm 11 February, 7pm 18 February, 7pm 29 March, 11am postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic 10 April, 7pm 19 May, 7pm 2 June, 7pm 10-13 June, all day postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic 7 July, 7pm 22 July, 6.30pm 8 September, 7pm 30 September and 1 October, 7pm 17 November, 7pm
Details: 8 January,
4 February, 7pm
11 February, 7pm
18 February, 7pm
29 March, 11am postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic Johann Sebastian Bach’s setting of St John’s account of the Passion presents a dramatic and heartfelt response to the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. This extraordinary work, which has now become a central piece in the canon of Western Art Music, was a real shock to those who first heard it in 1724. They were not accustomed to the musically vivid portrayal of the story, which in Leipzig was usually transmitted in a more solemn and sober fashion. In the John Passion, Bach captures with intense fervour the last days of Jesus’ life, and brings the listener through an emotional and spiritual journey that is profoundly moving. The Choir and Band of the Chapels Royal, HM Tower of London
Good Friday, 10 April, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic
19 May, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic
2 June, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic This programme explores 500 years of music that was both performed at the Chapel Royal, as well as at specific occasions at which the Chapel Royal played an important role. The music is interwoven with poetry, commissioned especially for this concert, by Rachel Long. Rachel shines a contemporary light on four women who walked through, worshipped at, or who were laid to rest in the Chapel. Rachel Long, poet
10-13 June, all day postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic It has been a long established tradition to have flowers adorning the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula during for our worship. As part of the 500th anniversary celebrations there will be a four-day Flower Festival in the Chapel with many beautiful and dramatic arrangements, inspired by the Tudor history of the Chapel, and in particular three of the Tudor Queens of England – Catherine Howard, Anne Boleyn and lady Jane Grey – who lost their lives at the Tower and are buried in the Chapel.
7 July, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic Established at the heart of England’s principal fortress, the Royal Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula held its first service 500 years ago, and belies a history of the site that has been over 1000 years in the making. Alfred Hawkins, Assistant Historic Buildings Curator at HM Tower of London, has researched extensively the architectural history of this extraordinary Royal Peculiar and overseen recent archaeological investigations that have contributed to the fascinating story of how this site has evolved. Through these investigations, new information has shed light on the forgotten history which shaped the construction of the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula as we know it. This history, alongside the 500 years of worship and architectural development within the current chapel, will be discussed during this talk.
22 July, 6.30pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic Entry is free but please email the Chapel Administrator if you wish to attend.
8 September, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic Zoë Brookshaw, soprano
30 September and 1 October, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic 'I am the one you do not like.' So begins this new, interactive one-woman opera exploring the life of Mary Tudor. Eclipsed by her younger half-sister, Elizabeth, Mary lies ‘in the shadow hand of Time’ – confused with Mary Queen of Scots, vilified as ‘Bloody Mary’ or simply forgotten after her brief reign. Hailed at her funeral as ‘a King’s daughter’ (first child of Henry VIII) and ‘King also’ (first Queen of England to rule in her own right), the hand that Fortune dealt her was a tricky one. She lies now beneath Elizabeth in Westminster Abbey, awaiting resurrection in the afterlife and in the popular imagination. Words and direction – Di Sherlock
17 November, 7pm postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic The final concert in the Chapel’s 2020 celebrations features scintillating settings of important liturgical texts sung regularly in the Chapel to this day – Venite and Gloria. Handel’s 8th Chandos Anthem is a setting of the Venite, and in characteristic Handelian fashion combines elegant arias with exciting choruses. Vivaldi’s effervescent Gloria, by turn brimming with latent energy and singing lyricism, has maintained an immediate and universal appeal through its distinctive melodies and rhythms. The programme concludes with one of the anthems written by Handel for the Coronation of George in 1727 – a suitably exultant conclusion to the Chapel’s 500-years celebration. The Choir and Band of the Chapels Royal, HM Tower of London. Colm Carey, director.
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