Abingdon got a mention near the end of Episode 4 of the historic drama, Wolf Hall, currently being shown on the BBC. Thomas Cromwell dictates “Itinary for the King’s summer progress; depart Windsor, then to Reading, Missenden, Abingdon … then Wolf Hall!
Henry VIII stayed at Abingdon Abbey, on another occasion, at the start of April 1518 with wife Catherine of Aragon in the time of Cardinal Wolsey. There is an exchange of letters between Richard Pace, who is with the King, and Wolsey who is left to conduct government back in London.
The court were on the flight from the ‘sickness,’ and the chief chief issue concerning Abingdon is ‘There is very little accommodation in this small town’ and “Sufficient provision has been made at Abingdon of horse meat for the King. Cannot tell how ‘other poor men’ will do.”
The letters are available on the internet and Pace starts writing from Abingdon on 27th March 1518.
I was pleased to hear Abingdon on the list of places for the king’s progress. Thanks very for the link.
On the subject of our lovely murals in the subway, who is responsible for removing the foul grafitti, some of which have been there for years?
It was a while ago they repainted sections, and removed the graffitti. I seem to remember originally an anti graffitti clear coat applied??. So it could be removed without harming mural beneath?. Maybe they are waiting for Stage 2??. or remove the underpass completely??.