Henry VIII Born In Swindon 

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: From Moonraker to Monarch. Chance discovery of goblet proves King Henry VIII was born in Swindon! - WATCH VIDEO

 

Yes, you guessed it. It was an April Fool!

Thanks to all the 12,000 who viewed our video on Facebook, left comments and shared it around the world. And to BBC Radio Wiltshire for inviting us on to their Drive Time show to talk about it. It really was great fun doing it. Special thanks too to Graham Carter of Swindon Heritage magazine for taking part and putting together such a fantastic spoof magazine cover.
 

SWTV: King Henry VIII Born In Swindon!

Swindon Heritage April 2015 Special Edition

SwindonWeb has been at the heart of a number of local interest stories over the years, but our latest discovery in association with Swindon Heritage magazine has the potential to re-write British history forever.

 

In September 2014 a small team of Wiltshire based Archaeologists carried out invasive work within the foundations of the Corn Exchange (Locarno) in Swindon's Old Town.
 

Directly funded by Swindon Heritage, the two-week excavation soon uncovered a number of items of historical interest - with several believed to be dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

 

One item in particular peaked the interest of the archaeological team - a beautiful goblet.

 

British Museum Analysis

 

Professor Flora Poli The British Museum

The goblet was sent to the British Museum for analysis in late September, and Professor Flora Poli of Medieval Studies was immediately captivated by the find.

 

"It's one of the most significant historical objects we've ever seen. This discovery is going to rewrite history and put Swindon at the centre of it," commented Professor Poli.

After close inspection using the latest 3D laser scanning technology, the goblet was found to be lightly engraved with an earth shattering Latin inscription revealing that Henry VIII was in fact born right here in Swindon!

 

Swindon Historian

 

Local Historian Graham Carter suspects he was born at The Lawns and baptised at Holy Rood Church on the Goddard Estate.

It is thought that his mother was passing through the area when he was born prematurely, and they didn't think it would be appropriate for a prince to be born in a lowly market town, so said the birth took place at Hampton Court instead.

The Bell just over the road from the Corn Exchange has a inscription over the door stating it was established in 1515 during the rain of Henry VIII. Academics now believe that he secretly visited the Bell, some years later, when he discovered the true story of his birth.

The Goblet discovered at the Corn Exchange

So how did the goblet end up buried in Old Town?

 

Well we could speculate that Henry put it there as he wanted to mark the place of his birth - a tradition in Tudor times, and people have always speculated why there was no ring at Hampton Court.

Press Announcement April 02 2015

 

The discovery will be announced to the wider national press on April 2nd in a live broadcast from the Corn Exchange.

 

The goblet will be viewable in the British Museum from November before being moved to Hampton Court in a special new display in 2016.

We hope to bring you further details on this truly fascinating discovery in the coming days, including interviews with members of the archaeology team responsible for this magnificent find.

 

Swindon Heritage Magazine

April 2015 Special Edition