Stuarts

Power and passion: George Villiers and James I

Uncover the relationship between the influential courtier and the Stuart monarch
Royal Greenwich

History of the Queen's House

The centre of Greenwich for hundreds of years, the beautiful Queen's House has also been at the heart of royal life
Tudors

Symbolism in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I

Find out more about the Tudor symbols used in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and discover what they mean

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Royal Greenwich

The buildings and people at the heart of the Royal Borough

An oil painting from the 17th century showing a view of Greenwich, London from Greenwich Park. The Queen's House can be seen in the centre, and in the foreground a man can be seen sketching

History of the Queen's House

The centre of Greenwich for hundreds of years, the beautiful Queen's House has also been at the heart of royal life
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Historian Mary Beard reveals the hidden symbolism of the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, one of the most iconic images of the Tudor Queen. Watch the full series on YouTube.

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Tudors

Three portraits, one unique display – the Armada Portraits of Elizabeth I

In February 2020, the three surviving Armada portraits of Queen Elizabeth I went on display together for the first time in their history. As the National Portrait Gallery’s portrait leaves Greenwich, we reflect on what we learned from bringing the three paintings together.

Greenwich Palace and the Tudors

Situated beside the River Thames, Greenwich had been a popular royal residence for centuries

Why are there three versions of the Armada Portrait?

Did you know there are three versions of the 'Armada Portrait' of Elizabeth I? Take a closer look at the different faces of a Queen...

Queens of the Queen’s House

Find out who the Queen's House was built for, and learn more about the female rulers who left their mark on Greenwich's royal villa
Henry VII cropped

Henry VII | Where was he born and how did he die?

Henry VII is known for being the first Tudor King, and for being the father of King Henry VIII. A shrewd king, he gathered huge wealth for the Crown

Tudor fashion

Do you know your Spanish farthingale from your Drum? Or your English hood from your French? Types of Tudor fashion evolved throughout the period.

Henry VIII and his navy

An important part of Henry VIII's legacy was his establishment of the Royal Navy, encouraging shipbuilding and creating dockyards
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Stuarts
Portrait of George Villiers dressed in white

Power and passion: George Villiers and James I

Uncover the relationship between the influential courtier and the Stuart monarch
Map of Middlesex

Mapping the Theatre of the Stuarts

This month we look at The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, the first English attempt at a comprehensive survey of these islands, created by John Speed for James VI & I in 1611

Queens of the Queen’s House

Find out who the Queen's House was built for, and learn more about the female rulers who left their mark on Greenwich's royal villa

Gunpowder Plot: what is the history behind Bonfire Night?

Learn about the origins of Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night, and find out more about the history of the Gunpowder Plot.

Anne of Denmark

A cultural pioneer and art collector — uncover the life of the Stuart monarch who commissioned the Queen's House in Greenwich

Who was Queen Anne?

Who was Queen Anne and who were her Favourites?

Elizabeth Stuart of Bohemia, the 'Winter Queen'

Discover the romantic marriage and brave life of the 'Winter Queen', daughter of James I, and hidden figure of British history

The sex life of Samuel Pepys

Curator Kristian Martin looks at the notorious sex life of the famous diarist Samuel Pepys.

Samuel Pepys

Naval reformer, citizen scientist, serious player on the national stage, MP and prisoner of the Tower of London; Samuel Pepys was all these but it is his candid diary that has ensured he remains a household name centuries after his death.
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Explore Royal Greenwich

Visit the Queen's House, hunt for remains of the old Tudor palace, and discover more about the royal history of Greenwich in our online shop

Queen's House
See extraordinary art for free inside one of London's most beautiful buildings
The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I
See the iconic painting of the Tudor queen, one of the treasures of Royal Museums Greenwich
A royal day out in Greenwich
Tudor kings and queens, historic palaces and hidden histories - discover Greenwich's royal connections today
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Royal Greenwich: A History in Kings and Queens
£20.00
Discover the rich royal history of the area where Henry VIII built his first tournament ground, Elizabeth I took daily walks in the Park, and Charles II raced early royal yachts against his brother...
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Tudor & Stuart Seafarers: The Emergence of a Maritime Nation, 1485-1707
£20.00
This exquisitely illustrated book delves into a tale of exploration, encounter, adventure, power, wealth and conflict. Tudor and Stuart Seafarers tells the compelling story of how a small island positioned on the edge of Europe transformed itself into the world's leading maritime power.
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Elizabeth's Sea Dogs
£14.99
Elizabeth's Sea Dogs investigates the rise and fall of a unique group of adventurers - men like Francis Drake, John Hawkins, Martin Frobisher and Walter Raleigh...
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