Whitehall Palace: An Architectural History of the Royal Apartments, 1240-1690 (Historic Royal Palaces) [Hardcover]

Dr. Simon Thurley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 1999

Whitehall Palace was the principal residence of the British monarchy from 1529 to 1698, when fire destroyed the majority of the complex. As such, it holds a key place in the architectural, political, and social history of England. This book is the first to discuss the architecture and archaeology of this Influential building.

Simon Thurley traces the development of the palace from its origins, using previously unpublished archaeological evidence to establish that York Place, as it was then called, was already one of the largest and most important residences in London before it became a royal palace. Thurley reconstructs the various phases of the palace's development, showing how successive kings and queens altered the vast mass of Whitehall to meet their individual needs. He also charts the plans of monarchs to replace the Tudor building with one that might have rivaled the great baroque palaces of Europe, and he reveals the reasons they failed to achieve this. Throughout, the book is illustrated with specially commissioned plans and diagrams of Whitehall as well as unique photographs taken while the palace was being excavated in the 1930s.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Originally York Palace, Whitehall has undergone many destructions, restorations, and additions during its 458 years. Peeling back the layers of architecture and history is a challenging undertaking. Following a chronological line from 1240 to 1698, when Whitehall met its final demise by fire, Thurley (The Royal Palaces of Tudor England: Architecture & Court Life, 1460-1547) details the development of this palace. Whereas careful floor plans and old photos of excavations during the 1930s illuminate the development of the building, there are no clear illustrations of the whole structure. All the facets of the building's construction and history are minutely detailed. We see the measurements and the layout but not the beauty and spirit of the building. The result is a highly specialized architectural study without excitement or flavor. Recommended only for specialized collections.DKaren Ellis, Nicholson Memorial Lib. Syst., Garland, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (December 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300076398
• ISBN-13: 978-0300076394
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 10.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,073,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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