A large banner based on Archbishop William Warham’s shield is now hanging in the tower at Oford Palace.
The new attraction is the work of Jacky Gulczynski.
The heraldic features include a goat’s head and three pilgrim shells.
The Archbishop’s shield can be seen on his tomb close to the Martyrdom in Canterbury Cathedral. It is said that he chose to be buried as near as possible to the spot where Thomas Becket was murdered.
Archbishop Warham rebuilt Otford Palace which was so impressive that it was the model for Cardinal Wolsey’s Hampton Court Palace.
Warham crowned Henry VIII and presided at his wedding to Katharine of Aragon. The couple stayed at Otford Palace on their way to Canterbury.
Only a small part of the palace survives today. The tower will be open on May Bank Holiday Monday. Booking is advised.
***Otford in Kent is where the two arms of the Pilgrims’ Way, from Southwark and Winchester, converge.
