Royal Road Trip: Tudor Summer Progresses (ep 70)

The Tudor court was always on the move. Basic hygiene required that the court remain in any one palace for just a few weeks before moving out so everything could be cleaned. Think of no indoor plumbing or running water. After a few weeks, it was time to move.

During the spring and summer, those moves went beyond London into other parts of the country. This was for practical reasons in some ways—plague and other illnesses often came during these months, and London was crowded and therefore dangerous. Getting out of the city made good sense to avoid contagion.

But beyond the need for cleaning and the advantage of avoiding disease, the most important motive for spring and summer progresses was to see and be seen. It was important for the monarch to visit worrisome areas of the country. That way, the highest figures in the government could identify areas where trouble was brewing and make a preemptive strike to settle things down. In addition, the physical presence of majesty could be enough to convince would-be rebels to think twice (or more!) about causing trouble. The size of the household and presence of guards and knights was a visual reminder of the power of the monarch. 

Early progresses of the first and final Tudor monarchs give us some great insight into the potential power of the royal progress.

History shows us what's possible.