Causa Anglica

Elizabeth II is presented with the Vatican’s document related to the Schism

British Library, London - Thursday, September 3, 2009, 6 p.m.

Press conference and official presentation

Schedule:
  • 6 p.m.: Reception at the main entrance to the British Library. Welcome by Dame Lynne Brindley, DBE, and Chief Executive of the British Library. Cocktails and introductions.
  • 6:10: Presentation of the Letter from the Peers of England to Pope Clement VII, urging the annulment of King Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon - Causa Anglica Exemplaria Praetiosa IV – Speakers’ remarks.
  • 6.25 p.m.: Tour of the show “Henry VIII: Man and Monarch”
  • 7 p.m: Closing of the event
Speakers:
  • Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library
  • Stefano Della Zana, Head of Scrinium’s Cultural Relations department
  • Lady Jane Roberts, Royal Librarian

Among the many events scheduled to celebrate the five-hundredth anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne of England, the British Library of London hosted the official presentation to Queen Elizabeth II of the first copy (numbered in Roman numerals) of the Causa Anglica. The imposing and greatly admired replica of the document from 1530 was received by the Royal Librarian, the Hon. Lady Jane Roberts. The speakers were Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library; Miss Lara Jukes (Head of the Development Department), Dr. Scot McKendrick (Head of the Manuscripts Department), Dr. Andrea Clarke (curator of the show titled “Henry VIII; Man and Monarch”), and Dr. David Starkey, specialist in Tudor history. Scrinium was represented by Dr. Stefano Della Zana, head of the Cultural Relations Department. The document remained on display in the British Library until September 6th, after which it was transferred to Windsor, where it became a permanent part of the Royal Library.