The History of Hampton Court

Miles from the hustle and bustle of central London, with its hunting park, great gardens and fine apartments, the Palace of Hampton Court has long been the perfect spot for the amusement and entertainment of politicians and monarchs. In fact it could be viewed as one of the first royal holiday homes - a great palace used more for pleasure than for affairs of State.

Wolsey's Hampton
In 1514 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop of York and Chief Minister to King Henry VIII, took a 99-year lease on Hampton Court and set about rebuilding the house. He made kitchens, a Great Hall and quarters for the king and his new queen, Catherine of Aragon. He entertained lavishly - befitting his role as Cardinal and Lord Chancellor of England. But it was short lived. The king became angry because Wolsey could not secure him a divorce from Catherine, and Henry reclaimed the lease.

Henry's Hampton
In just 10 years Henry spent some £62,000 rebuilding Wolsey's already substantial building. He was a regular, if unpredictable visitor, bringing all six wives to stay, often rebuilding the quarters for each new 'family'. Henry married his last wife, Catherine Parr, at Hampton Court.

It soon became one of the most sophisticated palaces in Europe, with tennis courts, bowling alleys, pleasure gardens, a hunting park, chapel and the communal 'loo' - The Great House of Easement - which could seat 28 people at a time! Absolutely vital when Henry had 1,500 guests at once.

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