Edible Archaeology: Hampton Court Palace

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EDITORIAL USE ONLY King Henry VIII, played by Chris Bailey, celebrates Hampton Court PalaceÕs 500th birthday at the Tudor palace in East Molesey, Surrey, with an intricately detailed five tier cake, commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces from Choccywoccydoodah. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday February 10, 2015. Each of the cakeÕs tiers showcases a different century in the palaceÕs 500-year history rendered in chocolate. Henry VIIIÕs crown Ð which is on display at the palace, the Great Vine, architectural features and even the palaceÕs period of grace and favour occupancy have been translated into an edible artwork. The medallion of the top tier of the cake pays homage to the palaceÕs central role as a location for the London 2012 Olympic Games, where cyclist Bradley Wiggins won gold for Team GB. Photo credit should: Matt Alexander/PA Wire

Hampton Court’s Tudor palace celebrated its 500th birthday in February, and to mark the occasion, Historic Royal Palaces commissioned this showstopping edible extravaganza fit for a king (or queen!) from cake maestros Choccywoccydoodah. Standing over 3ft high and rendered in white chocolate, the cake showcases Hampton Court’s history, with each tier taking inspiration from a different century – from the Tudor design of the King’s Beasts found in the Chapel Court Garden, to the planting of the Great Vine, and Hampton Court’s subsequent division into grace and favour apartments, all translated into edible artwork. The glittering gold stars crowning its top pay homage to the palace’s role as a location for the London 2012 Olympic Games, where cyclist Bradley Wiggins won gold for Team GB.

Historic Royal Palaces

www.hrp.org.uk

This edition of edible archaeology appeared in issue 302 of Current Archaeology.

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