The Bed of Roses exhibition comes to a close

Tudor Bed & Henry VIII Portrait
November 06 2015 | Attractions Castle History

The Bed of Roses exhibition, which has shown what is believed to be the marriage bed of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York will close on the 22nd November.

The bed, currently on display in the Long Gallery, is possibly the only piece of furniture to survive from the Tudor Palace of Westminster. It presents the surviving parts of a spectacular carved medieval oak bed frame which was discovered in 2010. This exceptional survivor is England’s only medieval royal bed. Its symbolism reveals how Henry and Elizabeth viewed themselves as they began a 117-year long dynasty that transformed England. They present themselves as saviours to conclude their families’ civil war: ‘The Wars of the Roses’.

The portrait beside the bed, of Henry VIII, will be displayed in the Queen’s Chamber as a permanent fixture.

The bed went through extensive DNA testing and research by TV historian Dr Jonathan Foyle to support it’s royal, medieval past. Read more about his research and DNA testing of the bed.

Don’t miss the chance to see the unique royal bed of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York before the Bed of Roses exhibition closes on the 22nd November.