The Tudor Pull

The Royal Flotilla passes  through Central London (click on image to enlarge)

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.

The 'Stela' is handed over to the custody of her Majesty's Bargemasters at King Henry's Royal Palace at Hampton Court to be carried by river to the Tower of London accompanied by His Gracious Majesty King Henry VIII and his Queen in the vanguard of the Royal Procession on board the Royal Shallop 'Jubilant'.

The cutters are rigged with full ceremonial canopies and flags and rowed with four oars by fully-liveried crews. In keeping with the traditions of the Watermen's Cutters, passengers are carried.

The Flotilla at Hampton Court Palace (click on image to enlarge)

For more information about the event, and the 'Jubilant', visit the TTRA website (opens in a new window).

All images courtesy of Jon Stacey