Rowing to Hampton Court, Tudor-style

The Thames Traditional Rowing Association had its annual Tudor Pull over the weekend, rowing a bunch of shallops, wherries and Thames Waterman's cutters from Hampton Court to the Tower of London in full fig, which is not quite an authentic recreation of Tudor boating garb but does involve medieval-style flat hats, canopies over the passengers and lots of flags.
Trinity House rower Joe Lane, who supplied the pictures, described the weather as "a little too intense heat-wise" but clearly everyone had a blast. Joe describes the event:

"The Tudor Pull is a ceremonial event for Thames Watermen's Cutters which is organised each year by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association (TTRA). The cutters escort the Thames Royal Shallop 'Jubilant' rowed by members of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London to deliver a 'Stela' to the Governor of the Tower for safekeeping. The 'Stela' is a piece of medieval water pipe made from a hollowed tree trunk which stands on a base of timber from the old Richmond Lock and which bears the coat of arms of the Waterman's Company."

Here is the crew passing the Palace of Westminster, 'tossing oars' in salute.
There are lots more of Joe's pictures here.
Joe recently took part in a 100 mile, 24 hour row from Southend Pier to Windsor in aid of Help for Heroes, and you can help as well by taking firm hold of your credit card and clicking on www.justgiving.com/h4h100.