Uncover the hidden histories of female trailblazers at the Tower of London
1st July – 1st September 2024
Historic Royal Palaces – the charity that cares for the Tower of London – today announces the return of Trailblazers: Women at the Tower of London, a co-production with HistoryRiot from 1 July – 1 September 2024.
The ancient fortress is known for housing some of history’s most notorious women, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, but women have played a fundamental, if often overlooked, role in the Tower of London’s 1000-year history, from workers to residents to rebels.
Included as part of the admission, visitors are invited to discover the powerful contributions from lesser-known female figures whose names are hard to find in the history books. They will experience a guided procession through the grounds with five actors who bring these inspiring women to life through staged performances and face-to-face interactions.
The five trailblazing women are:
- Winifred Maxwell (New for 2024) – the fearless Jacobite who smuggled her husband out of the Tower the night before his execution.
- Katherine le Fevre – who served as the Master Smith of the Tower during the Hundred Year War with France, making ironwork, locks and weaponry for the war.
- Phillis Wheatley – an intellectual prodigy and enslaved woman hailing from West Africa who became the first African-American author of a published book of poetry.
- Catalina of Motril – a Granadan bedchamber attendant of Katherine of Aragon who was privy to her former mistress’ secrets.
- Leonora Cohen – the Yorkshire-born Suffragette who smashed the case holding the Crown Jewels at the Tower with an iron bar - and kept campaigning until she was 105.
Writer and director of Trailblazers: Women at the Tower of London, Lauren Johnson, said: “It’s great to be back at the Tower of London, introducing these inspiring, shocking, strong, courageous, and ultimately complex women of history to new audiences. I’m so excited and honoured to bring these remarkable characters, these trailblazers, to life.”
Kate Hutchinson, Creative Producer at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “Historic Royal Palaces is a charity for everyone, committed to sharing the stories of our six palaces – those you already know and those you don’t. Trailblazers: Women at the Tower of London with HistoryRiot enables us to bring the stories of extraordinary yet lesser-known women to our visitors, creating new ways for people to engage with our site and its remarkable history.”
Notes to editors:
For further information or images, please contact Amber Choudhary in the HRP Press Office: Amber.Choudhary@hrp.org.uk // 020 3166 6166
Trailblazers: Women at the Tower of London
1st July – 1st September
Included in general admission: Adults from £34.80 / Children (aged 5-15) from £17.40 / Concessions £27.70 / HRP Members go free.
Historic Royal Palaces is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. We create space for spirits to stir and be stirred. We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted. We tell stories about the monarchs you know and the lives you don’t. We let people explore and we set minds racing. We are a charity and your support gives the palaces a future, for everyone.
Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk
HistoryRiot is a collective formed by freelancers with wide experience of working at many of the UK’s leading heritage sites in order to create events and performances across the country. Our team consists of historical researchers, musicians, writers, directors, videographers, performers and educators. We exist to connect people with the UK’s past, to inspire audiences to feel a fresh sense of identity with the place in which they live and the historical sites they visit. Our events are ambitious, accessible and inclusive, pushing the boundaries of historical interpretation whilst remaining mindful of the sensitive sites we work in.
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