Richmond Palace

Description

Formerly known as Sheen Palace until partially destroyed by fire and rebuilt and renamed by Henry VII. South-West London Archaeological Unit SMR considers it likely that the ground plan of the new building was almost identical with the old. Apparently moated (moat mentioned in 16th century texts). although moat of sheen palace supposedly filled on extension of apartments by Henry VII, section of moat (excavated 1972) was "not an original feature of the tudor palace". However the whole moat need not be of the same date. Layout of palace conjectured as ab lock of state apartments overlooking the river and arranged around a small courtyard. To the north east stood the fountain court flanked by the great hall and chapel, kitchen and ancillary block to north west of hall. Palace sold 1650 and by 1660 the ruins were divided into 27 tenements. Part excavated by P Dixon for DOE in 1972. (Greater London HER)

The remains of Richmond Palace built by Henry VII in 1499-1501 on the site of the manor-house of Sheen established by at least 1125. Two royal residences had previously stood on the site. The first was probably built by Edward III who died there in 1377. This royal residence was destroyed by Richard II in 1395 following the death of Queen Anne there in 1394. The second was built by Henry V between 1413 and 1422. Richmond was his principal residence, but the palace was destroyed by fire in 1497, to be then rebuilt by Henry VII. Henry VII died at Richmond in 1509 and although Henry VIII took possession of the palace he did not make so much use of it as his father, preferring Whitehall and Hampton Court Palaces. His wife Anne of Cleves was bestowed Richmond and occupied it from 1540-47, and Queen Elizabeth I died there in 1603. From the 17th century the palace was used less frequently by the royal family and it began to be demolished with several new buildings constructed. These were part of a new schema for Richmond and Kew Parks and included the early 18th century houses; The Wardrobe and the Trumpeter's House, now private residences. All that remains of Henry VII's Tudor palace is the main palace gateway and the old courtyard which is now known as Old Palace yard. The arms of Henry VII have been restored and have been repositioned above the gateway arch. The plan of the palace is known from Wyngaerde's drawings and other documentary evidence and included a great court and a large royal apartment block next to the river Thames. A privy garden and orchard were enclosed by the palace's walls. (PastScape)

The Old Palace and The Gatehouse. Incorporates the remains of Henry VII's Palace of 1501. The present buildings now 2 houses mainly C18 and C19. Built in dark red brick and battlemented with an octagonal turret, and projecting bays at either end and in the centre. Early C19 square headed Tudor Gothic windows. To the right is the original Palace Gateway (now giving entrance to Old Palace Yard) with the recently restored arms of Henry VII in a stone porch above the arch and a room over which is now part of The Gatehouse. The Old Palace is approached from the Green; the Gatehouse by canopied door just inside the Palace archway. (Listed Building Report)