Nelson & the Painted Hall - 201 years later
Laura Wilkinson
22 December 2006
On Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 January 2007 the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich will be holding a free family event to pay tribute to Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Marking the 201st anniversary of Nelson’s lying in state in the Painted Hall families will learn from costumed interpreters about life onboard one of Nelson’s ships and the enviable reputation of the British Navy in 1805.
Visitors will hear from the Purser about the meager rations afforded to young sailors and warn of the punishments onboard. The ship’s surgeon will show his fascinating display of tools and instruments whilst telling tales of gruesome amputations. The ordinary sailors will be on parade, ready to answer questions and tell tales of their bravery at sea and their pride at being in Nelson’s Navy. The women of the day, dressed in nineteenth century finery, will also be present offering the chance to sample cakes that Nelson would have enjoyed when back from time at sea. Finally if visitors are inspired to join, the Recruiting Sergeant will be ready to sign them up and give out a certificate to mark the day they joined Nelson’s Navy!
In 1806, 201 years ago to the weekend, Admiral Lord Nelson ‘lay-in-state’ in the Painted Hall for 3 days. The Upper Hall was draped in black and arrayed with symbols of state mourning: banners, armorial escutcheons and sconced candles whilst the Lower Hall windows were draped and barriers erected to channel the expected crowds. Huge crowds were admitted (estimates range from 15,000 to 30,000) in a renewed outpouring of grief since the victory at Trafalgar.
‘Nelson’s Navy’ is an event for all the family with free entry. Throughout both days a member of the Hisotrical Maritime Society will raise a toast to the ‘Immortal Memory’ and glasses of Port will be on sale for all those who wish to join in this toast to Britain’s greatest naval hero.
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Issued 21 December 2006
For additional details and images contact Laura Wilkinson, Marketing & Events Manager, Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College.
020 8269 4763 / 07890 314499
lwilkinson@greenwichfoundation.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. Visitor Information
Admission free
Opening times: grounds open daily 8am-6pm
Mon-Sat: Painted Hall, Chapel & Visitor Centre 10am-5pm
Sun: Painted Hall & Visitor Centre 10am-5pm; Chapel 12.30-5pm
For more information please visit www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org
Pre-booked guided tours of the Nelson Room, Painted Hall & Visitor Centre: Adults £4, children (accompanied by an adult) free.
Group Tours and lunches also available. Please call 020 8269 4799 or email info@greenwichfoundation.org.uk for further information.
2. Brief Site History
The Old Royal Naval College began life as Greenwich Hospital, which was established in 1694 by Royal Charter for the relief and support of seamen and their dependants and for the improvement of navigation. Sir Christopher Wren planned the site, described as "one of the most sublime sights English architecture affords", and, during the first half of the eighteenth century, various illustrious architects, such as Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh, completed Wren's grand design.
In June 1705, the first Pensioners arrived and, by 1814, a total of 2,710 lived there. They lived on a diet of bread, beer and boiled meat and smoked their clay pipes or ‘chalks’ in the Chalk Walk, now the Skittle Alley. The Pensioners were given pocket money of 1s a week, which they supplemented by acting as caddies at Blackheath Golf Club and guides for visitors to Greenwich.
In 1869 the Hospital was closed, and in 1873 the complex of buildings became the Royal Naval College, where officers from all over the world came to train in the naval sciences. The Navy moved out in 1998 to merge with the RAF and Army at a new Joint Services Staff College in Shrivenham.
With the departure of the Royal Navy from Greenwich, responsibility for the Old Royal Naval College passed to the Greenwich Foundation. The Foundation is a registered charity established to look after, and interpret, the buildings and their grounds for the benefit of the nation.
3. Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site
Maritime Greenwich was inscribed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO in 1997. Greenwich is recognised for its cultural heritage; the grandeur and sheer beauty of its buildings, the magnificent vistas and views across London, its royal history, its naval and sea-faring history and its scientific accomplishments.
For more information visit www.greenwichwhs.org.uk
