by Staff Reporter

Last updated at 14:52, Friday, 13 November 2009

Rare documents revealing how the reign of Henry VIII affected Carlisle and the rest of Cumbria have been loaned to a major exhibition being staged at Tullie House.

It is on tour from the British Library to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the king’s accession to the throne.

TV historian David Starkey originally curated the exhibition – called Man and Monarch.

The local addition comes from Cumbria Archive Service and the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle Cathedral.

They include letters and the Endowment Charter for the reformation of the cathedral.

Henry VIII is not only England’s best-known king – with his wives, his girth and his bloodthirstiness – he is also our most important single ruler.

When he came to the throne, Henry was the Pious Prince who ruled an England at the heart of Catholic Europe.

When he died he was the Great Schismatic, who had created a national church that shaped the development of England for centuries later.

The display will be accompanied by an interactive kiosk, enabling members of the public to digitally flick through the lavish pages of Henry’s writings.

Visitors can read handwritten notes, musings and annotations made by the great Tudor monarch.

The digital display will also be accompanied by a facsimile of a Two Part Double Canon written in honour of the king and in celebration of the Tudor dynasty.

Roger Walsh, the British Library’s head of learning, said: “The British Library is delighted to be working with partners throughout the country to explore new aspects of Henry’s reign with new audiences. Henry’s impact was simultaneously national, international and local, and we hope this tour will enable visitors young and old to explore those connections for themselves.”

To accompany the exhibition, which started on Saturday, Tullie House will hold a Tudor Day on Saturday, November 21 between 10am and 4pm with free museum admission. The exhibition runs until December 6.

First published at 14:22, Friday, 13 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk