Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!
Because of today's theme, this is my teacup for today...as William Shakespeare's birthday and death dates are accepted as April 23rd...
so my teacup is a teacup in a pattern called Tudor Rose, because Shakespeare lived during the Tudor period...generally put between 1485 to 1603, and the dates that Shakespeare lived...as they are known...are from 1564 when he was baptized to April 23rd, 1616 when he died.
This teacup was made by Grosvenor China, England in the 1920s, a trademark of Copelands...an off again, on again partner of Spode until their final marriage and current production as Spode, but unfortunately in a limited fashion and most of it in Indonesia...
Also built in Tudor times, is Anne Hathaway's home...Shakespeare's sweetheart, in Stratford-upon-Avon, near my Husband's birthplace at Lady Wood...which is now a museum...
Until 3 years ago, we used to go to England for a month every year combining family visits and buying for our business, and after always spending a week in Londn one end of the trip or the other for the various antiques markets there, would head our rental car up north to the midlands, avoiding the motorways and sticking to A or even B roads...English roads are coded...A roads are major roads but not motorways, what the US calls highways, and B roads are progressively smaller, but in our opinion much more interesting and scenic. And if you want to get to the family in Walsall, Solihull, Redditch, Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, you have to go through the Cotswolds, which is no hardship...unless you are in a hurry!
And Tudor architecture, many dating from Shakespeare's time, line the roads....
This is the Queen's Head pub in Stratford where we have stopped often for lunch.
This is the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford which is a wonderful year round venue. We have seen Judi Dench and other famous actors at work here. The tour is fun too!
I thought this sign was fun, and certainly shows you the options. All the major Shakespeare sites are quite walkable.
Above is a favorite...Harvard House, the founder of Harvard University who emigrated to escape religious prosecution.
Just outside Stratford is the Bancroft Boat Basin on The Avon River where several canals cross the river. We love canals, and often stop here with a picnic lunch before heading through Stratford.
Here is Shakespeare's grave and monument in Holy Trinity Church.
So thanks for joining me to tea today...in honor of the area and Shakespeare, here is my husband's favorite tea, also born, like he was, from not far from Stratford...Typhoo Tea. The name is taken from an Indian word meaning medicine, which tea was at first believed to be...still is in my opinion! This is a special Gold Blend they had available recently...
I will be with friends this week, out and about from Canada, so may be slow returning comments...although I will do them as soon as possible. We have a lot planned, laugh and eat a lot, tire ourselves out and love every minute of our time together. But your comments mean a lot, so I am not neglecting you if I am slow....my apologies in advance if I can't keep up and lag a bit...
Because of today's theme, this is my teacup for today...as William Shakespeare's birthday and death dates are accepted as April 23rd...
so my teacup is a teacup in a pattern called Tudor Rose, because Shakespeare lived during the Tudor period...generally put between 1485 to 1603, and the dates that Shakespeare lived...as they are known...are from 1564 when he was baptized to April 23rd, 1616 when he died.
This teacup was made by Grosvenor China, England in the 1920s, a trademark of Copelands...an off again, on again partner of Spode until their final marriage and current production as Spode, but unfortunately in a limited fashion and most of it in Indonesia...
The symbol of the Tudors was the red Tudor Rose. The previous reigning family, the House of York was led by King Richard III whom I recently posted about his reburial...HERE...if you missed it, and would like to read it. The death in 1485 of Richard III on Bosworth Field by Henry II...was the end of what is called The War Of The Roses and the House of York who also had a symbol of a rose, the York Rose and that was white....hence the name War Of The Roses. England became a Tudor monarchy, and we all remember Henry VIII just down the line...think Wolf Hall....
Damien Lewis at Henry VIII PBS
The Tudors loved their Rose symbols, and they were everywhere...this is a photo from King's College, Cambridge which was finished by Tudor king Henry VII in 1512....
Until 3 years ago, we used to go to England for a month every year combining family visits and buying for our business, and after always spending a week in Londn one end of the trip or the other for the various antiques markets there, would head our rental car up north to the midlands, avoiding the motorways and sticking to A or even B roads...English roads are coded...A roads are major roads but not motorways, what the US calls highways, and B roads are progressively smaller, but in our opinion much more interesting and scenic. And if you want to get to the family in Walsall, Solihull, Redditch, Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, you have to go through the Cotswolds, which is no hardship...unless you are in a hurry!
And Tudor architecture, many dating from Shakespeare's time, line the roads....
This is the Queen's Head pub in Stratford where we have stopped often for lunch.
This is the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford which is a wonderful year round venue. We have seen Judi Dench and other famous actors at work here. The tour is fun too!
I thought this sign was fun, and certainly shows you the options. All the major Shakespeare sites are quite walkable.
Above is a favorite...Harvard House, the founder of Harvard University who emigrated to escape religious prosecution.
Just outside Stratford is the Bancroft Boat Basin on The Avon River where several canals cross the river. We love canals, and often stop here with a picnic lunch before heading through Stratford.
Here is Shakespeare's grave and monument in Holy Trinity Church.
I will be with friends this week, out and about from Canada, so may be slow returning comments...although I will do them as soon as possible. We have a lot planned, laugh and eat a lot, tire ourselves out and love every minute of our time together. But your comments mean a lot, so I am not neglecting you if I am slow....my apologies in advance if I can't keep up and lag a bit...
Below is the list of some of the blog
parties I will be part of and there is the linky for your tea related
posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are
patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and can find you to
visit!
What an interesting post, Ruth! I enjoyed your photos and the teacup is lovely. Enjoy your company and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
I really like all of the history you incorporate into your posts. I loved seeing all of the different places in Stratford. Looks beautful! I really need to venture outside of London on my next trip. I always see Typhoo tea at British goods stores, but I've never tried it. I assume it is similar to an English Breakfast (Assam) type tea. (?) Have fun visiting with your friends!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post Ruth. The teacup is pretty and it was nice to read of the history of Shakespeare's time. I enjoyed traveling on the B roads when we were in England. They are so scenic. Enjoy your time with your Canadian friends this week. Blessings. Pam
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting another lovely tea party....hugs...
ReplyDeleteAs always, Ruth, I learn some history from your tea party! Your Tudor
ReplyDeleteRose teacup is especially lovely and perfect to celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday. I have never tried the Typhoo Tea, but I will look for it.
Have fun with your friends, and have a wonderful week.
Hi Ruth,
ReplyDeleteI love your Tudor Rose pink and blue teacup today! So very pretty! Hubby and I must try Typhoo Tea. He has had a terrible cold and sore throat and hot tea is so soothing. Such lovely pics from Stratford! Happy Tea Day and Thank you for hosting Tuesday Cuppa Tea! Karen
Thanks for the fun armchair travel to Stratford! In Ontario, we have the Stratford Festival which claims to be, "North America's largest classical repertory theatre" and presents Shakespeare's plays, as well as other contemporary works.
ReplyDeleteI've yet to try the Typhoo tea, although I've seen it around here.
That is a great post on Shakespeare. i also love Typhoo tea but, I haven't tried the gold . their standard black is wonderful! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteWhata lovely and adorable teacup!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images and happy birthday to good old Shake.
Thanks for hosting sweet lady.
Have a happy week.
FABBY
Hello Ruth
ReplyDeletethe Tudors had a huge influence on the history of England!
I have travelled to the UK several times now and like you I love the Cotswolds.
One of our favourite villages is called Lavenham in Sussex, it is full of history and well with spending a couple of days in.
Tudor Rose is a lovely cup and a reminder of that powerful dynasty!
Thank you for hosting Ruth.
Shane
You're a wealth of historical information Ruth, enjoy your time in Canada visiting.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth: What a wonderful tea cup you shared. I always learn something from you. Thanks for always being so educating to us all. Hugs, Martha
ReplyDeleteWhen oh when??? in the years to come.... when shall I visit England? Love the sights.... I feel the beauty. Have a great Day - my dear friend!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty teacup, Ruth! Loved your photos and all the interesting info you provided with them. Blessings, Bess
ReplyDeleteRuth, I've never seen a pattern anything like Tudor Rose! How pretty and unusual! The cake I linked to is a cake that goes so well with a strong tea like Assam or English Breakfast. And I used my blue onion ironstone rather than blue onion china because the cup is bigger, and some day days just call for big cups!
ReplyDeletePS Love all your info and photos. I haven't been to Stratford in way tooooo long.
ReplyDelete