HISTORY AT THE TOWER

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1938, Page 11

HISTORY AT THE TOWER

QUEEN MARY’S VISIT

LONDON. July 16

When Queen Mary travelled down the Thames from 'Westminster to a garden party in the heart of the Tower of London —the only function in aid of charity ever held within the walls—she was the first English Queen in -100 years to kind at the Queen’s Stairs. The approach has not been used by Royalty since the visit of Queen Elizabeth to the-Mint in July. 1563.

Queen Mary had consented to take the place of the Queen, who. before the death of her mother, had promised to attend the garden party in aid of the funds of the Tower Hill Improvement. Thousands lined the Embankment to cheer Queen Diary as she travelled in the Trinity House launch. Lady Apsley. and hundreds on Tower Hill awaited her arrival.

The journey took 20 minutes, and at the 'rower the Constable. Fieldmarshal Sir Claud Jacob, was waiting at the Queen’s Stairs to exercise his historic privilege of receiving the royal visitor. The party walked through the Sally Port by Ihe'wtty of Byward Tower, Waler-lane. and the Bloody Tower, to the ancient entrance to the Ring’s Green in the Pallium Wall. 'rhe arrival within the Tower precincts was the signal lor the hoisting of Queen Mary’s personal Royal Standard over the White Tower. It was an enjoyable day and a useful onefor those connected with Hie fund, since ■lOOO tickets priced at 12 6 were sold.

Historical associations were naturally referred to in such surroundings, and it was recalled that not all Queens had made the journey to the Tower under such happy circumstances! Henry VUl’s second wife. Ann Boleyn, was brought by Witter from Greenwich in 1526 crying. “Jesn. have mercy on me.” and was beheaded 17 days later. Another of Henry's wives. Katherine Howard, alighted al the Traitor’s Gate in 1511 and was beheaded. Lady Jane] Grey. Queen for a few days, was beheaded in the Tower in 1554. and Elizabeth. last. Queen to land at the Queen’s Steps, was herself committed

to’ the Tower bv her sister Mary in 1554. This week a hand played on the lawn not far from the site where the | many famous prisoners had yielded up their lives, long buffets were laid out to serve tea. gay frocks were worn, and the Tower's four ravens agreed that “a good time was had by all.”