Magnificent masques - how the Stuart kings were entertained

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23364077

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In the early decades of the 17th Century, the Stuart monarchs bore witness to magical shows known as masques. Extravagant, elaborate and expensive, masques were one-off spectacles held in the Banqueting House at Whitehall in London.

This summer, the Banqueting House is capturing the spirit of the Stuart era - celebrating the spectacles which entertained King James I/VI, Charles I and their courts. Take a look with Rhiannon Goddard from Historic Royal Palaces.

The spirit of the Stuart masque runs at the Banqueting House in central London until 1 September 2013.

All images subject to copyright.

Images courtesy Historic Royal Palaces, Royal Collection Trust/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013, Devonshire Collection Chatsworth (reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees).

Music courtesy Historic Royal Palaces and KPM Music. Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 19 July 2013.

Historic Royal Palaces

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