Hampton Court

Hampton Court Palace was England’s most significant address during the Tudor age. The medieval manor, situated just southwest of London on the banks of the Thames served as the center of government and monarchy during the reign of the Tudors, particularly Henry VIII. From this headquarters, Henry challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, divorced and beheaded his wives, held great feasts and parties and eventually became the head of both the government and the newly formed Church of England. It is one of the most significant sites for British legal and religious history in all of London.

The house and land was initially purchased by the showy Thomas Wolsey and transformed into a medieval manor. Wolsey, the son of an Ipswich butler, became immensely rich and powerful, deemed a Cardinal, the Archbishop of York and eventually Lord Chancellor. He became the chief minister to King Henry VIII which landed him in the center of the conflict when the King’s desire for a divorce began (Hibbert 108). As an administrator Wolsey was said to be arrogant but wholly unable to transfer his drive and innate ability into anything truly productive. As a financial minister his work was weak and his best work was done in the field of justice (Willson 228). With this apparent strength and considering his position among the King’s trusted advisors Wolsey became trapped in the center of the infamous Henry VIII conflict.

Nonetheless, before his downfall, Wolsey was rich and powerful enough to purchase Hampton Court and began to build it into a great palace. Wolsey’s Hampton Court was much different than the refurbished Tudor court that exists today. Wolsey likely intended the court as an ideal Renaissance cardinal’s palace in the style of Italian architects with symmetrical planning and classical detailing, both of which are still evident despite the Tudor remodel. Jonathan Foyle has suggested that it is likely that Wolsey had been inspired by Paolo Cortese’s De Cardinalautu, a manual for cardinals that included advice on palatial architecture, published in 1510 (Foyle 135). There is obvious Italian influence throughout the structure and layout of the building.

Disgracing Wolsey when he was unable to secure a legal divorce for him from Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII eventually assumed occupancy of Hampton Court in about the year 1525. When the King moved into the palace, an extensive remodeling process which would last ten years was begun (Foyle 128). During this time period, the extensive kitchens were installed, enabling the preparation of large amounts of meat and food for visiting guests who would then dine in the Great Hall, also erected during the remodel. Henry VIII no doubt looked upon Hampton Court as a place of entertainment where he would be able to host hundreds, if not thousands of guests and show off his wealth and importance. Here Henry also had two of his wives arrested and taken to the Tower of London where they were to be beheaded. Their ghosts are said to still haunt the great corridors and staircases.

Later, during the reign of William and Mary, half of the Tudor palace was replaced in a project that lasted from 1689-1694. New wings surrounding the Fountain Court were added, all designed by the famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren. During this renovation new state apartments were also constructed and the grounds were also transformed into symmetrical and French style gardens. Despite this extensive remodel, during the time of William and Mary, monarchs began to favor other London homes over Hampton Court and in 1760 it ceased to be a royal residence (Roberts 330-331). Yet, during the time that it was inhabited by members of the royal family, Hampton Court served as the central hub for many decisions which would forever change the scope of English religion and monarchical rule.

Works Cited

Foyle, Jonathan. "A Reconstruction of Thomas Wolsey's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace." Architectural History 45 (2002): 128-58.

Hibbert, Christopher. The Story of England. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 2006.

Roberts, Clayton and David Roberts. A History of England: Prehistory to 1714. 3^rd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998.

Willson, David Harris. A History of England. 2^nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1972.