This essay about the built legacy of Henry VIII is included in my new book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book…
View More The Architecture of ChivalryTag: Hampton Court Palace
When looking back at Henry VIII’s reign, the built universe he achieved was like a ring around the posy (with the flower being London). Hampton Court Palace was in the thick of the action.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Hampton Court Palace has one of the most storied histories a property could possibly have given it is one of the greatest surviving medieval palaces in the world. The original building was the pinnacle of style when it was first constructed by one of Henry VIII’s most trusted advisors Cardinal Wolsey (until he wasn’t, of course; H8 pushed the exit button with anyone who didn’t give him what he wanted, and that turned out to be just about everyone!).
When the cleric began constructing the medieval façade in 1515—a smooth 500 years ago—he couldn’t have guessed it would become one of Henry VIII’s most prized summer playgrounds. But in 1528 it did, and the King set about rebuilding and expanding it (at a sum that would be equal to £18-million today). Further expansion took place when William III and Mary II commissioned a substantial Baroque addition designed by Sir Christopher Wren—a built environment so extensive it could have been an entirely separate palace in its own right.
I feature this remarkable castle in a number of posts on The Diary of an Improvateur so if you would like to learn more, simply click on the tag Hampton Court Palace and you’ll see all the posts pop up.
The Nature of Noble Loyalty
It’s spring in London and the flowers are bursting forth on Cheyne Walk, which skirts the edge of the River Thames until it gives way…
View More The Nature of Noble LoyaltyThe Tapestry of History
In just a few hours, the modern ideal of a fairy tale wedding will take place at Windsor Castle. A trip I took to the…
View More The Tapestry of HistoryHenry VIII’s Cult of Cloth
A trip to Frankfurt to attend Heimtextil a week from today has inspired me to share one of my favorite anecdotes about Henry VIII and…
View More Henry VIII’s Cult of ClothThe Built Legacy of Henry VIII
The 2016 Academy Awards are handed out this coming Sunday so I’m celebrating a film that showcases the built legacy of Henry VIII to delve back into…
View More The Built Legacy of Henry VIIIRenovating During the Tudor Era
Hindsight is 20/20, as they say. Looking back to the Tudor Era from this great distance, it’s easy to see how barbaric a sport jousting was.…
View More Renovating During the Tudor EraFurnishing Pastimes of Henry VIII
As I mentioned in my last Improvateur article presenting a brief history of Hampton Court Palace, I launched into a furnishings fantasy when I heard…
View More Furnishing Pastimes of Henry VIIIDecorating Hampton Court Palace
The premise of this article and the next one I’ll post here on The Diary of an Improvateur (next week) began with a rather capricious question:…
View More Decorating Hampton Court Palace