When I was in Reading, I went with Tracy on a tour of Hampton Court Palace. This is where Henry VIII lived. It was very interesting. I keep saying it is so amazing to see all these places that are sooooo old! In 1494 Lord Chamberlain leased Hampton Court and began "modernizing" the building. It was 1529 Henry VIII took over the Palace. In 1527, Queen Jane Seymour gave birth in a room just above the arched walk way, and died in the same room 12 days later. It is said that her heart is buried in the Chapel. Her body is buried at Westminster Abbey in London along with Henry VIII.
We toured the Tudor kitchens, which were built in 1530. During Henry VIII's era they fed some 1,200 of his court members per day. Currently they have kitchen staff dressed in the Tudor era clothes, preparing Tudor meals. At the end of each day, the Hampton Court staff share the meal that was prepared int he kitchen that day, to include magnificent sugar and marzipan desserts.
They have beautiful gardens. I can only image how lovely they are during the spring and summer. There is a huge grape vine, that is the oldest and largest vine in the world. Yes, it still produces grapes. As with many of the castles and palaces here in England, Hampton Court Palace has a maze. After going through the maze at Leeds Castle, I decided not to attempt the maze at Hampton Court!
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