Katherine Parr Day at Sudley Castle

Join us for our annual celebration of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife, famously buried in the church in the grounds of the Castle.

Historical re-enactors will bring the past alive with Katherine and her Tudor ladies appearing on the day. Plus, special guest Dr David Skinner, will be speaking about his exciting discovery of a 500 year old musical collaboration between Katherine Parr and Thomas Tallis, the English composer.

Fellow and Osborn Director of Music at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, Dr David Skinner’s study of a 16th century music manuscript revealed accompanying words to the music were written by Katherine Parr. Until Dr Skinner’s work, the author of the words had remained a mystery since it’s discovery in the crack of a wall in Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1978. When it was uncovered, it was identified as being by Tallis, the six-part Gaude gloriosa considered among his greatest works.

The piece of music is now believed to have been performed during a spectacular public service in London, aimed at rallying the troops behind Henry and his continuing wars with France.

Last year, Dr Skinner oversaw the 21st century debut of the music and accompanying words not heard for 470 years.

Explore our newly refurbished exhibition rooms for an insight into the life of Katherine Parr, and her involvement with Sudeley Castle, including the re-discovery of her tomb and precious artefacts such as her prayer book with hand-written notes and her letters. Truly a remarkable woman, Queen of England and the first English woman to publish a book in her own name, discover Katherine’s secrets during this enlightening event.