The palace : from the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 years of British history at Hampton Court
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Hampton Court Palace has been a locus of monarchy, revolution, religious fundamentalism, sexual scandals, and military coups. In this rich and vivid history, Gareth Russell moves through the rooms and the decades, in each chapter focusing on a different person who called Hampton Court their home. Beginning with the Tudors, Russell takes the reader from the bustling kitchens of Henry VII and the unfulfilled dreams of Anne Boleyn to Elizabeth I's brush with death and the staging of Shakespeare's plays. This is the place where the King James Bible was commissioned, Oliver Cromwell's victories over the crown were celebrated, and the many mistresses of Charles II vied for favor. The gossip and feuds of Georgian aristocrats gave way to the era of the Windsors, when Hampton Court was the magnificent setting for Elizabeth II's coronation ball and the hiding place of the last Tsar's sister. Fascinating and engaging, The Palace is as atmospheric as it is entertaining. By capturing the stories of the many sovereigns and servants who lived and worked in its halls, it reveals the personal tragedy and political importance of this extraordinary place" --Book jacket.