Download issue 06 (High resolution) April 2011 (PDF, 3,9 MB)

News
Tower of London -
Power behind the throne
A fabulous ‘bejewelled’ dragon –
standing 3m high and specially
commissioned by the Royal
Armouries – will create a
guaranteed ‘wow factor’ at a
compelling new exhibition
opening at the Tower of London
this Spring.
Discover the stories and personalities behind the major
organisations of state, who took care of Royal business
from within the mighty Tower of London’s walls from 1100 to
the present day.
Power House - the new permanent exhibition opening
on the White Tower’s top floor on April 2 in partnership with
Historic Royal Palaces – showcases the roles of the major
organisations that provided the bedrock of England’s power
throughout the centuries.
Great institutions include the Ordnance Office, Ordnance
Survey, the Royal Mint, Record Office, the Jewel House,
Menagerie and Royal Observatory. The exhibition will also
put the spotlight on other Tower of London functions,
ranging from royal residence to state prison.
Royal Armouries’ Head of Creative Programmes Karen
Whitting said, “The Tower has been home to many important
national institutions for over 900 years and was viewed as a
fortress and symbol of England’s might.
“Close to the seat of Royal power at Westminster, the
Tower became England’s ultimate Power House – and the
functions it housed were vital to whether successive
monarchs kept or lost control of the kingdom.
“There are some fascinating stories to be told –
including the tale of William Foxley, potmaker for the Royal
Mint, who fell asleep for 14 days and 15 nights. The poor
soul was was viewed as a curiosity and was prodded, poked
and even burned in an effort to rouse him. Even King Henry
VIII visited the Tower, to witness the ‘spectacle’ for himself.”
To create a stunning welcome to visitors, the Royal
Armouries is creating a mighty dragon, a modern trophy,
made up of components from of each of the great
institutions of State. The design is still being finalised but
the majestic beast could include:
• Ordnance Office – armour, swords, firearms and cannon
to create the back legs and body
• Menagerie – a cage for the ribcage
• Prison – chains to create the tail
• The Royal Mint – coins to represent the dragon’s fire
• The Observatory – telescopes for front legs
• The Records Office and Ordnance Survey - parchments
and maps for wings
• The Jewel House – fake diamonds and rubies for the
dragon’s eyes
Power House will also include interactive opportunities
from the Royal Armouries’ popular Hands on History
experience.
For more information regarding the Royal Armouries –
Britain’s oldest museum - visit: www.royalarmouries.org
www.royalarmouries.org/newsletter
www.twitter.com/royal_armouries
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leeds-United-
Kingdom/Royal-Armouries/215812575369ref=ts
14 MAGAZINE ISSUE 06