Simon Thurley

I would suggest that this excellent and enjoyable book of British architectural history requires a basic understanding of British seventeenth century history to fully appreciate, although Thurley does an excellent job of reminding us of the history. For me this book is supplemental to my reading of various history and biography books over the past few years, broadening my understanding and appreciation.

Thurley deftly introduces James I, born and raised in Scotland with only one foreign journey to Norway and Denmark to bring back his Danish wife before he became King of England, and so of Britain, in 1603.
James I had different requirements for buildings from Elizabeth I and her Tudor predecessors. As well as Houses of State, James I required Houses of Necessity, which were not for impressing the King’s majesty, but relatively informal buildings for his personal pleasure in hunting (hare coursing and hawking) and reading (Royston and Newmarket being close to the college libraries of Cambridge).
The most substantial and expensive building of the early Stuarts was commissioned by James’ wife, Anna of Denmark, who remodelled and extended Somerset House, and it became known as Denmark House. Thurley opines that it was “one of the great buildings of Europe: great architecturally, but also important as a cultural centre”.
Thurley also describes the remodelled and then rebuilt Banqueting House, designed by Inigo Jones.

Following the Restoration, Thurley explains Charles II and William IV’s significant input into royal building projects, with architects such as Sir Christopher Wren, but also the influence of Dutch architects.

This book is an excellent overview of the history of seventeenth century British royalty (and the Republic), very succinctly integrated into an architectural history of royal palaces and other buildings (pleasure houses, chapels etc). It is the apparently effortless and seamless integration of history and architecture to make a flowing whole that make this book special.… (plus d'informations)

One of the many surprises while reading this marvelous book is the fact that the layout and position of the so called Henry VIII's kitchens were in fact already constructed under Giles Daubeney, between 1495-1500, so even before cardinal Wolsey.
In the last chapter on the Tudor period of the palace, Thurley introduces the term Chivalric ecclecticism. It seems that Henry VIII selected historical figures for chivalric virtues, and used these to decorate the palace. Unfortunately, the evidence is flimsy and the author spent just a few words to illustrate his case.
A bit confusing is the part on the so-called Georgian House, which according to the text (pages 261-262) was built under George I, while according to the illustrations (fig. 254 & 255) it was built under George II. Finally, for the restoration of the Privy Garden (1992-1996) the experience which resulted from the reconstruction of the gardens at Het Loo must have been very helpful, which is however not acknowledged in the text, whereas for the State Apartments it is (pag. 388). The name of the former director of Het Loo is Adriaan Vliegenthart, not Adrain Vliegenhardt.… (plus d'informations)