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REVIEW BY DANIEL JACKSON
Hampton Court Palace, nestled within a bend of the Thames 13 miles from the centre of London, has a fascinating history, during which it grew from a medieval agricultural estate to one of the greatest palaces in the world.
Hampton Court was a favoured royal palace for many of the most famous of England’s monarchs, from Henry VIII (r. 1509- 1547) to George II (r. 1727-1760), and it has some tales to tell. Gareth Russell’s book is like sitting down for lunch with one of the most famous buildings in the country and hearing all its best stories. The palace itself is not the star here – there is little time spent on the architectural or archaeological riches of the site – instead, the book focuses on the people who were inhabiting the palace, and what they got up to within its walls.
The stories are a pleasant mix of high stakes, world-changing historical events and juicy court gossip. On occasion the author takes time to dive deeper into specific events or characters, but this only adds to the ‘lunch with a friend’ feeling of the writing.
Covering more than 500 years of history in 370 pages, the book is generally well-paced, despite these occasional diversions. The post-royal history (from 1737 onwards) of the palace did feel a little rushed, though, and was perhaps a missed opportunity to shine a light on an important, but little studied, part of Hampton Court Palace’s history.
The book is well-referenced and footnoted, and also has an extensive bibliography. It will provide a great starting point for readers looking for an approachable, easy-to-read introduction to early modern royal history.
While not offering a comprehensive account, it does offers a snapshot of the period in a way that makes it easy for readers to identify subjects that they want to learn more about. More knowledgeable readers may still find something to enjoy from the sections dealing specifically with events at Hampton Court Palace, and they will most likely still be introduced to a couple of individuals whom they have not come across before.
The Palace: from the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 years of history at Hampton Court Gareth Russell William Collins, £25 ISBN 978-0008436988
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