Hampton Court A Home Fit For A King

From the turbulent reign King Henry VIII to the glitz and glamour of the Georgians, explore the long history of this royal palace.

- Jessica Leggett

Over five centuries since it was first built, Hampton Court Palace has stood the test of time. It was at the centre of royal scandal, passion and power as successive monarchs indulged in excess and intrigue within its walls – and it witnessed some of the biggest upheavals in English history. 

Hampton Court began life as a humble medieval manor, leased in 1494 to Sir Giles Daubeney, a year before he became Lord Chamberlain to King Henry VII. It was located in the countryside but ideally connected to London through the River Thames. He added a few additions to modernise the building, including a new kitchen, courtyard and gatehouse.

In 1514, the lease for Hampton Court was taken by Thomas Wolsey, King Henry’s VIII’s most trusted adviser. The following year, Wolsey began converting the manor in anticipation of his appointment to the Cardinalate by the Pope, turning it into a home befitting the second most powerful man in England. No expense was spared as he sourced the best materials, such as costly painted red brick, to build his new palatial home.

Throughout the next decade, the Cardinal continued to lavishly decorate Hampton Court. He even understood the importance of symbolism, choosing to include terracotta roundels of Roman Emperors on the walls, to reflect his role as Cardinal and his relationship with Rome. Hampton Court was clearly a representation of Wolsey’s ambition and power, and it wasn’t long before his opulent taste caused whispers to circulate that the Cardinal’s home was even greater than those belonging to the king.

Indeed in 1523, Henry’s old tutor, John Skelton, famously wrote “the king’s court should have the excellence… but Hampton Court hath pre-eminence!”