159. Tudor Pull, 29 June 2019

Organised by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association (TTRA) this amazing event is one of the highlights of the Company’s year. Where else could one be rowed down the River Thames aboard the Queen’s Rowbarge, Gloriana in such splendid style and be treated like royalty for a day? It was a real privilege as Master to be able to take part.

The Gloriana is a splendid vessel, launched in 2012 as part of HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and is powered by 18 rowers plus a Coxswain, two deck crew and a Class V skipper. Her livery is to be seen to be believed (see photos) and she causes a stir wherever she goes on the Thames. The Mistress and I, accompanied by our elder daughter Holly joined her at Hampton Court for the occasion of the Tudor Pull. And what a day!

Under the bluest of blue skies and with the thermometer rocketing skyward for what was the hottest day of the year so far (think 33⁰C!) we made our way from the train station and over Hampton Court Bridge to where the Gloriana was moored. Joining us as special guests of the Company were Sheriff the Hon Liz Green and her Consort Peter as well as the Master Watermen and Lightermen, Dr Iain Reid and the Master of the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen of the City of Exeter, Mr Ian Gardner. Also aboard were a few select guests plus the Beadle, Tony Parker who acted as our master of ceremonies throughout the day.

The purpose of the Tudor Pull is to receive from the King (Henry VIII of course!) the wooden ‘Stela’, a piece of Tudor waterpipe made from wood and to thence to transport, by river, to the Tower of London for its safe keeping. The first step of this process was to receive the Stela from His Majesty at a small ceremony in the yard in front of Hampton Court. Dressed in full regalia the King and Queen graciously commanded us to take the Stela down river and discharge our duties. I of course complied and asked the Queens Bargemaster (who was acting as our Coxswain) to make arrangements to be rowed down. After drinking to the health of the River Thames, we processed back to Gloriana with the King to the sound of pipes and drums of the Tudor period, much to the delight of the many spectators. The Kind and Queen came aboard the Gloriana and remarked on her magnificence!

But then it was time to leave and as the painters were loosened and the crown cheered, the oarsmen took their places and we eased off downstream. What a sight! Pictures alone cannot do justice to this incredible spectacle as we made our way slowly but graciously past the sleepy villages of the non-tidal Thames. Simply stunning!

At Teddington Lock, the start of the Thames tidal reaches, we were joined by a number of Livery Company cutters who were to accompany us on our journey. We all crammed into the Lock taking care not to damage any paintwork and the oarsmen took a well-earned break – already it was swelteringly hot. And then on to Richmond where we stopped for a sandwich lunch.

At this point many more cutters were waiting for us and the Sheriff and her Consort transferred to the Company cutter Water Forget-Me-Not captained by our Bargemaster Johnny Dwan and his small but experienced crew. It was their job to transport the Sheriff the rest of the way downstream as I as Master remained on board Gloriana in comfort and style. It’s a tough job….

The afternoon continued in this manner with Gloriana leading the way and the cutters attempting to keep up. Some did, some didn’t but it was a majestic procession down River. Regular water breaks were taken but there were no ‘comfort breaks’ for the cutter crews and their passengers. But it was so hot these were not called for!

The final part of the journey through central London saw many crowds on the bridges and our on-board bagpipe player gave then a virtuoso performance of Tudor music. The waves were steadily increasing and as we shot Blackfriars Bridge the worst of the choppy water hit us (underwater obstacles were the cause) but we powered through and onto Tower Bridge.

Mooring at St Katherines pier the Sheriff and Masters came ashore and led by the Beadle and the Queens Bargemaster, we made our way to the southern drawbridge of the Tower of London. There to greet us was the Governor of the Tower and his Yeomen Warders. The Queens Bargemaster then presented to him the Stela and with the appropriate bowing etc our job was done. The Stela safely retuned where it would remain until this wonderful ceremony is repeated next year.

We all then took off our by now very heavy gowns and departed into the hot London streets.

An amazing day and so many people to thank. But the biggest thanks of all must go to the oars-men and women who rowed their hearts out on Gloriana and the cutters to get us all safely down river and in good time, despite the heat. Three cheers for the TTRA and the River Thames!

Pictures show; the Stela in its case; the Masters aboard (from left the Sheriff, Master Water Conservator, Master Watermen and Lightermen, the Beadle, the Master of the Incorporation of Exeter); HRH King Henry and his Queen together with the Queens Bargemaster (extreme right); and the Gloriana at full stretch.