History at The Hall – Banqueting at the Court of Henry VIII
Monday 20th July, 18:00
On the evening of Monday 20 July 2026, join Anthony Musson and Timothy Schroder for History at The Hall – Banqueting at the Court of Henry VIII.
1527 marked the 200th anniversary of the Goldsmiths’ Company. It was also the year in which two extraordinary banquets took place. Held at Hampton Court and Westminster Palace for the French ambassadors, they celebrated the signing of a new treaty between Henry VIII and the French king, Francis I, and were among the most extravagant of the century.
This lecture looks at these events from all angles: the bewildering array of food that was served, the rituals that were performed, and the wealth of plate that was deployed, the latter illustrated by pieces from the Company’s collection, shortly to be placed on loan at the new London Museum.
Anthony Musson is Head of Research at Historic Royal Palaces and Timothy Schroder is Chair of the Goldsmiths' Company's History Group.
- Tickets for History at The Hall – Banqueting at the Court of Henry VIII are priced at £15 per person and include light refreshments after the talk.
- Members of the Company (Freemen, Liverymen, Members of The Court) are able to book up to four (4) tickets at a 50% discount through the Member’s Portal.
- Doors will open at 17:45 for a prompt 18:00 start