by Jenni Horn

Visitors to Rochester were taken back in time to January 1 1540.
This was the day Henry VIII met his future bride, Anne of Cleves in the grounds of Rochester Cathedral, so history tells us.
Henry had chosen his fourth wife from a painting by the artist Hans Holbein.
But on meeting his young bride for the first time, Henry was bitterly disappointed. The legend says he spied on her through a hole, built especially into a gate, and found Holbein’s portrait was misleading to say the least.
A costumed re-enactment of this fateful first meeting took place at Rochester Cathedral on Tuesday as part of Medway’s celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne.
Passers-by were entertained as the now infamous encounter was brought to life in a comical and engaging way.
Visitors also had the chance to Henry, Anne, and the artist in person at Rochester Castle Gardens in the afternoon.
The event was the first in a month of Tudor themed activities taking place at Rochester Cathedral and Castle.
The celebrations continue, tomorrow, Tuesday , from 2pm to 4pm, when there will be Tudor dancing in the nave of the cathedral. The Nonsuch Historical Dance Company will be showing you how it is done and there’s even an opportunity to have a go yourselves.
Throughout the month, a new exhibition examining the relationship between the Tudors and Rochester will be on display at Rochester Cathedral and the Cathedral tea rooms will be offering a variety of Tudor inspired dishes until Sunday, September 6.
The festivities will climax with Mediaeval Merriment at Rochester Castle during the weekend of Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, and will close with a Tudor themed evensong at the Cathedral at 3.15pm on Sunday, September 6.
More pictures in Friday's Medway Messenger