On Monday the 8th of July, a group of KHAS members enjoyed a wonderful members-only evening visit to Kenilworth Castle. KHAS chairman Jan Cooper gave us a fascinating talk on the subject “In the Footsteps of Elizabeth I”.

Jan’s talk covered the Elizabeth’s various visits to the Castle, culminating, of course, in Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester’s expensive and ultimately futile attempt to win the Queen’s hand in marriage in 1575. The tour party met at Mortimer’s Gate and processed, as she did, through the inner court and into the ruins of the sumptuous accommodation Leicester had built specially for her stay. The party paused here for a group photo, crammed into the viewing platform up in the dizzying heights of Elizabeth’s bedroom.

The party then progressed into the beautiful Elizabethan gardens and out through the newly reinstated garden gate. Sincere thanks were given by the members in attendance to Jan for running the tour and to English Heritage for hosting us. So ended a thoroughly enjoyable outing, in which I think we all learnt something new.

Here are some selected images from the tour:

Next month, members lucky enough to have secured a place on the visit to Maxstoke Castle will no doubt have a similarly informative and enjoyable visit.