Tag: 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.