In 1683 the Thames froze over and a great Thames Frost Fair was held on the ice itself. But despite recent cold winters, especially 2010, the Thames has failed to freeze. Why?

King Philip II of Spain banqueting with his family and courtiers (The Royal feast). Alonso Sanchez Coello. 1596. National Museum in Warsaw.

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Weald and Downland open air museum

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Boar’s Head Centerpiece at a Tudor Feast

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 at 1 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 5 at 12:30 p.m. on KPBS 2 + Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 25 at 5:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / On demand now with KPBS Passport! Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas — from carols to gift-giving, feasting and drinking — was just as popular 500 years ago, with some surprising Tudor twists.

Many of our Christmas festivities come from Tudor Christmas traditions. Do you recognize any of these in your modern traditions?

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Christmas With The Tudors [Taffe, James] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Christmas With The Tudors