Skip to content

Hampton Court

Image of the front of Hampton Court Palace
Font of Hampton Court

Palace of Henry VIII

Hampton Court, located 13 miles south of London on the north bank of the River Thames, was originally built in 1544 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor. Cardinal Wolsey transformed it from an ordinary country home to a magnificent palace fit for a king.

As his Lord Chancellor, Henry the VIII wanted the Cardinal to have his first marriage annulled so he could marry Anne Boleyn, but the Cardinal was torn between his King and the Pope. The Cardinal eventually sided with Henry; but that did not prevent the Cardinal’s fall from grace. In trying to stay in good grace with the King, Cardinal Wolsey gave Hampton Court to Henry. However, that didn’t help as the Cardinal was arrested and stripped of many offices. The Cardinal died on his way to the Tower of London which would’ve surely resulted in his execution.

After Wolsey’s death, Henry VIII expanded and rebuilt most of the palace. Henry VIII’s daughters – Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I, both resided in the palace. Subsequent kings and queens continued to expand and redecorate the palace. There are two distinct Tudor and Baroque architectural styles evident today.

Upon Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603, the crown of England went to her cousin, King James the VI of Scotland. His rule united the Scottish and English Countries and he was know as James the VI of Scotland and James I of the House of Stuart.

Another interesting fact about Hampton Court is this is where King James the VI and I held the conference in 1604 to commission the writing of the King James version of the Bible. (For more information Hampton Court – Attendees | King James Bible History (kjbhistory.com)

For more information on Cardinal Wolsey: Hanson, Marilee. “Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Death & Fall From Grace 1530” https://englishhistory.net/tudor/cardinal-thomas-wolsey-death/, February 4, 2015

For more information on Hampton Court: The story of Hampton Court Palace | Hampton Court Palace | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk) or Hampton Court Palace – Wikipedia

Kenny and Kay sitting at the King's table in the great hall at Hampton Court. The table is set with large silver platters and bowls. Heavy tapestries surround the walls. Kenny and Kay are toasting each other with silver chalices
King Kenny and Queen Kay

In the great hall Kenny and Kay sit at the King’s table and toast to each other. More on the tapestries behind the thrones later!

Hampton Court Exterior

View from the bridge walking into Hampton Court of the River Thames. There are people swimming and boating on the river. River banks are filled with trees and a glimpse of the palace.
River Thames
The front of the Palace with red bricks, turrets, several windows, two large archway openings, at least 10 chimneys and a British flag flying. Benches line the walkway into the palace.
Exterior of Hampton Court

Hampton Court Kitchens

Alleyway leading between two areas of the Palace with red brick and four arched doorways leading into the grand kitchens.
Leading into Kitchens
Two tables with food for the banquet. both tables are filled with breads, scones, rolls, baked meat pies, candles, jugs and platters.
Food for the King
The large pantry and cooking area with with white walls wood beams and roof. Along the floor level are five soup pots over wood fire pits for cooking soups and sauces. Above that is the shelf filled with rice, flour, and other cooking materials. A large niche in the wall is stacked with firewood.
Cooking Area
The grand fireplace with a roasting pan to catch the drippings from the meats being cooked. Above the fire, there are 8 rotisserie arms with slits for 8 rotating spits for a grand total of 64 types of meat to be cooked at the same time. Today has one chicken that is being roasted by a young boy (probably a tourist) and watched by a young man in medieval dress. There are two 5 foot stacks of firewood on either side of the fireplace.
Hampton Court Kitchens
Notice the capacity to roast up to 64 different meats at the same time! This was a kitchen fit for a feast.

Exploring Hampton Court

Hallway leading out of the kitchen to the wine cellars and other storage areas.
Hallway to other storage areas
Windows in classic Tudor style. Two rows of four small arched windows with the crisscross patterns. The lead making up the crisscross was used to hold the pieces of glass together.
Classic Tudor Windows
Kenny and Kay by the fountain in the courtyard. The fountain has been restored and is painted in bright marron colors with gold medallions. It is four section hig.
Kenny and Kay at the Fountain
The courtyard with the grand fountain. The water (or ale during parties) would pour from the lions mouth on the lower level. The fountain is white marble with marron insets. There is a statue of a girl sitting on the step to the fountain with a jug in her hand.
Fountain Plaza

The Great Hall

The great hall at Hampton Court is designed to impress. The hall is 104 feet long and 40 feet wide. The walls are covered in beautiful tapestries from the 1500s. The tapestries depict the story of Abraham in exquisite detail. Made with wool, silk, and gold thread they would’ve dazzled any visitor to the palace (and still do). The largest panels are 108 feet wide by 35 feet tall. In the early days, the tapestries were often transported to other castles or palaces as the court traveled. They were cut to fit different walls. Now they are protected by staying in the same place with the light, humidity, and temperature carefully controlled.

At the entrance to the great hall from within the castle, there is a raised dais where the king and queen sat. They allow visitors to sit at the table filled with silver platters, bowls, and chalices so you too can feel like a King or Queen.

The Great Hall at Hampton Court is long somewhat narrow room. The walls are lined with beautiful tapestries that depict the story of Abraham. There is a bank of windows at the top of the room and a dark wooden arched celling.
The Great Hall
King Kenny and Queen Kay
Looking out from the King’s table.
The King’s Table with the Tapestries in the Background

Other Areas of the Palace

There was an interesting room that was arranged as the Kings Council room. The back of each chair was covered with the name and description of the “Councilor” to the king. The image of the man was displayed on the table and audio of the conversation was playing. It gave you a feeling for the happenings of the day.

Kings Council room. Round table with chairs and dark paneling. Fireplace and windows on the exterior wall.
Kings Council Room
Writing from Anne of Cleaves
Exterior Garden with large evergreens trimmed in conical shapes. The trees line the walkway up to the palace.
Exterior Garden
Exterior garden at Hampton Court. Several large evergreen bushes trimmed in conical shapes. One large flower bed with red begonias on the exterior four sides and then interior rows of greenery and purple petunias and pink vinca in the middle. Estimate the flower bed to be 15 by 5 feet.