16th August 2017
Exciting archaeological news: remains of Greenwich Palace, where Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I were born, have been found during work for a new visitor centre at the Old Royal Naval College. One of the Tudors' foremost palaces, Greenwich was extensively remodelled (with fashionable red brick) by Henry VII from Margaret of Anjou's Palace of Placentia. The two rooms found are thought to be service rooms – I do hope it will be possible to work access to the find into the visitor centre. It is a shame we can't see the magnificence of the palace today – this quote imagining it is from my newest novel, The Last Tudor:
The river widens as we come towards Greenwich and then I see the Tudors’ favourite palace – our favourite palace – like a dream shore, as if it were floating on the water, the quayside golden in the sunshine, the great doors standing open. It looks so rich and friendly and peaceful I cannot believe that this will be anything like imprisonment – not in this beautiful house with the doors standing wide to the rich gardens, greens and orchards.
https://www.ornc.org/News/major-archaeological-finds-at-greenwich-uncover-lost-royal-palace