Chetham’s Library Tours
Chetham's LibraryPacked with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham's Library are led by our expert staff and volunteers. Explore...
Our new exhibition, A Royal Tudor Bed and a Northern Rogue (Thursday 15 August – Wednesday 11 September) is a rare opportunity to see the original marriage bed made for Henry VII (the first Tudor King) and Elizabeth of York, as well as an infamous forgery. Alongside the exhibition, we are hosting a series of free talks.
This talk marks the conclusion of the exhibition a Royal Tudor Bed and a Northern Rogue held at Manchester Cathedral and Chetham’s Library.
Co-delivered by Ian Coulson and Peter Lindfield, the speakers explore some of the most remarkable discoveries to have emerged from fourteen years studying the bed.
They explain how it was a vehicle for authority and complex, multi-layered meaning, its deep connection to early modern Manchester, and Georgian reworking to receive Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Finally, Coulson and Lindfield reveal how the bed inspired George Shaw (1810–76) of Uppermill, one of the most remarkable yet unsung architects and designers in Victorian England. Using the bed as inspiration for a whole career manufacturing ‘romantic interiors’ celebrating the past, this talk marks the last chance to see the royal Tudor bed and Shaw’s Victorian copy together in public.
Visitors will be given the opportunity to view the Tudor bed exhibition at the end of the talk, and to ask Peter and Ian any questions they may have.
