Ancient Royal Maundy Ceremony performed by Elizabeth I in Greenwich continued by Elizabeth II on 17 April 2003

On Maundy Thursday 1572, Queen Elizabeth I washed and kissed the feet of the poor in remembrance of Christ washing the apostles' feet, at her palace in Greenwich. This year Queen Elizabeth II will attend a Maundy Thursday service at Gloucester Cathedral on 17 April.

A miniature, painted by Levina Teerlinc (c.1565), showing Elizabeth I performing a previous Maundy Thursday ceremony will go on display at the National Maritime Museum on 1 May 2003 as one of over 350 objects in Elizabeth - a major exhibition about the life of Elizabeth I. The exhibition is sponsored by Morgan Stanley with guest curator David Starkey and commemorates the 400th anniversary of Elizabeth’s death.

During the ceremony at Greenwich in 1572, Elizabeth I gave to 39 members of the public: a cloth for a gown, a pair of shoes, a wooden platter, half a side of salmon, six herrings, two manchetts, a wooden cup of claret and twenty shillings in 39 white and red leather purses. In accordance with tradition, 39 would have corresponded to the age of the Queen however Elizabeth was 38 at the time of the ceremony and turned 39 later that year.

Part of this ceremony, which traces its origins to the Last Supper, is still performed by the present Queen Elizabeth, by giving alms to a number of pensioners at a different cathedral each year. This year HM The Queen will give 77 silver sterling coins in red and white pouches to 77 female and 77 male pensioners. As with Elizabeth I, the number corresponds to her age.

David Starkey, guest curator of Elizabeth said:

The continuation of this fascinating tradition is just one of the many legacies of Elizabeth’s reign which have survived to the present day.

Elizabeth exhibition dates: 1 May to 14 September 2003

Opening times: 10.00 to 17.00 seven days a week, 10.00 to 18.00 in July and August
Exhibition ticket prices: Adults £9.00, Children £4.00, Concessions £6.00
Family tickets: (2 adults & 2 children) £22.00; 1 adult & 2 children £14.00
Ticket also includes entry to Elizabeth Discovery Gallery
Transport: DLR Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich or Connex to Greenwich or Maze Hill

The exhibition will take place in the Museum's CP Ships Special Exhibitions Gallery.

For more information, please call 0870 780 4552

1. Media preview of Elizabeth: Monday 28 April 2003.

2. Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm and a market leader in securities, investment management and credit services. With more than 600 offices in 26 countries, Morgan Stanley connects people, ideas and capital to help clients achieve their financial aspirations.

3. The National Maritime Museum was opened to the public by King George VI on 27 April 1937. It includes the 17th century Queen's House and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The Museum has the most important holdings in the world on the history of Britain at sea, including maritime art (both British and 17th century Dutch), cartography, manuscripts including official public records, ship models and plans, scientific and navigational instruments, time-keeping and astronomy (based at the Observatory), and in many other categories.

4. The Maundy Thursday ceremony traces its origins to the holding of the Last Supper when Jesus rose from the table, laid aside his garments, girded himself with a towel, poured water into a basin and proceeded to wash the feet of his disciples. Afterwards he gave them a command, or mandatum (the Latin word from which 'maundy’ is derived) to love one another. It is with the words of this 'new commandment’ that each Maundy Service opens.

Issued by the National Maritime Museum Press Office, 9 April 2003.

For further information, please telephone 020 8312 6732/6545/6790, fax 020 8312 6521 or email jward@rmg.co.uk