A life working at Hampton Court Palace with James Peacock
A life working at Hampton Court Palace
Interviewing James Peacock, the Anne Boleyn Society
I have had an exclusive interview with James Peacock, he works at Hampton Court Palace and he created the Anne Boleyn Society. I have questioned him on all things Hampton Court and Anne Boleyn!
Let us dig in!
So, James tell us a bit about yourself!
So, I live on the outskirts of London and have been interested in Anne Boleyn/Tudor history since childhood. I lived in Australia for a few years growing up. I'm a huge fan of Kylie Minogue and about nine years ago I set up The Queen Anne Boleyn Society.What drew you to wanting to work at Hampton Court Palace?
I've always had a fascination with the Tudors and of course Anne Boleyn, but also other parts of history as well and fortunately Hampton Court has a diverse history spanning multiple eras.What do you find so fascinating about Tudor history?
The Tudors have something for everyone. It's full of incredible characters and so much going on. You have the dangerous political manoeuvring at Court, to having our first crowned Queen Regnants in Mary I and Elizabeth I. And at one point, you have two Queens ruling in one isle (Elizabeth I in England and Mary, Queen of Scots in Scotland) and the whole ramifications of their relationship being manipulated into plots and assassination attempts. Then of course there is the Armada and how the odds were so weighed against Elizabeth yet she survived. I could go on and on but I'll stop myself haha.What is a recent Tudor discovery that you find incredible?
Definitely, Anne Boleyn's Falcon that I now have at Hampton Court Palace, thanks to Paul Fitzsimmons from Marham Church Antiques. I highly recommend checking out his incredible website and on Instagram @marhamchurchantiques. www.marhamchurchantiques.comWhat is it about Anne Boleyn you love?
When you read about a lot of historical figures in history, they tend to come across as very one-dimensional. But Anne is different in that we see her flaws and imperfections alongside her good qualities. She wasn't perfect - but then no one is - and that makes her human.Where did the inspiration come from when creating a society for Anne Boleyn enthusiasts?
It was around the time they confirmed for certain that the bones in the car park in Leicester were indeed those of King Richard III. At the time, I remember thinking Anne Boleyn should have her own society and eventually, I got around to starting one up. I've been so fortunate to not only collaborate with amazing historians and bloggers but also form some lifelong friendships from it.
Who is your favourite portrayal of Anne Boleyn in television and film?
Geneviève Bujold in Anne of the Thousand Days. She is just phenomenal, and even though that scene in the Tower didn't happen, it doesn't matter, because she totally blows Richard Burton's Henry VIII off the screen in that scene.Do you find Anne Boleyn is often misjudged in historical accounts?
The problem is, as one brilliant historian recently put it, accounts were written by men, and because Anne came in at a very turbulent time and replaced the very popular Queen Catherine of Aragon, she does get a bad rep sadly. Even more unfortunate, is that due to her downfall, Henry's propaganda machine really did her dirty. But fortunately, there has been a big reassessment in recent years, which has changed that.Have you ever come across any ghosts at Hampton Court Palace?
Unfortunately- or maybe, fortunately - I haven't.
Have you got a favourite spot in the palace?
Definitely the Great Hall. Designed by Anne Boleyn just as much as Henry - it was her Palace as well - and still bears the stamp of her Queenship today.
What does a typical day at Hampton Court Palace look like for you?
It can be very varied. We move around every 45 minutes so we are never in one spot at a time. We are based in the rooms of the palace (I'm a Palace Host), but we also work on the gates as well. So it's quite a mixture. Some days I deliver talks to the public (that last usually about 15 minutes) usually on Anne Boleyn. It's a very unique job, but also a very interesting one, meeting people from all over the world and bringing history to life for them.Have you got a favourite book about Anne Boleyn?
I will always have a soft spot for Eric Ives's "The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn", which I consider the Anne Boleyn Bible. But I would say Tracy Borman's new book "Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History" is on par. It's basically the book I have been waiting my whole life for as it touches on something I am incredibly passionate about, Elizabeth remembers her mother but also the impact they both made in history.
Outside of historical interest, what do you do in your spare time?
Anytime Kylie Minogue tours you can find me at one of her concerts haha. Otherwise, I love anything sci-fi/supernatural related, so will be glued to any TV or film related to that.To finish off things lightly, what is your favourite historical fact?
Many people don't often realise this, but Elizabeth I first met Philip of Spain - the man who would later send an Armada against her - for the first time at Hampton Court Palace. At this time, Elizabeth was heir to the throne and Philip was married to her sister Mary I. I just love walking through the palace and thinking, they first met here, considering how entwined their lives would later become.
And that concludes our interview! Thank you so much to James for doing this interview! You can find James via these links:
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