The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of Royal History at Hampton Court

by Gareth Russell

Architecturally breathtaking and rich in splendid art and décor, Hampton Court Palace has been the stage of some of the most important events in British history, such as the commissioning of King James’s version of the Bible, the staging of many of Shakespeare’s plays, and Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ball.

The Palace takes us on “an entertaining journey into the past” (Kirkus Reviews) as it reveals the ups and downs of royal history and illustrates what was at play politically, socially, and economically at the time. An engaging and charming history book that is perfect for fans of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Andrew Lownie, The Palace makes you feel as if you were in the room as history was made.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Tudor Period, Audiobook, Royalty, British Literature, Historical

480 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2023

About the author

Gareth Russell is an historian and broadcaster. He is the author of "The Six Loves of James I," (a BBC History Book of the Year, a Waterstones Best Book 2025; published as "Queen James" in the UK, Ireland and Australia), "The Palace" (Amazon Editor's Pick for Best New History, A Waterstones Best Book of 2023, BBC History Book of the Year, Town and Country Must-Read, an Aspects of History Best Book of 2023), "Do Let's Have Another Drink" (A Times Book of the Year, 2022), "The Ship of Dreams" (A Daily Telegraph Best History Book, 2019), and "Young and Damned and Fair."

He is the host of the podcast Single Malt History and divides his time between Belfast and London.

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 4 out of 5]

ROYALTY READS PROJECT 2023

10/2 I was not aware of the Royal family tradition that with all Royal weddings the bride’s bouquet is laid at the Unknown Warrior tomb even if they are wed at a different location, such as Lady Diana’s
or….wait for it…MM. I can’t even bring myself to use her full birth name anymore. Sorry Sugars, if one of you is reading this. I have two theories on this 1. She prob wished she had some ridiculous monstrosity of floral proportions so all would remember forever 2. She was pissed that everyone had done this waayyy before she was able. Ugh hot mess of a train wreck

9/23 so here is an example of how creepy eaten I am about the royal families
So King Charles I had a daughter who was the first British princess to have the title Princess Royal. So of course I’m sitting here under my electric throw listening to Jordan and McKay my favorite apostates thinking back in time…Charles, James, Elizabeth, nope, Mary, Edward, Henry, Henry, nope well what do you know? Huh never noticed that… I’m pretty sure I missed no one even if they weren’t all considered British exactly but I could keep going (yes I am aware they are listed in a dodgy manner)

9/22 I commented on something similar to this oddity in another book I read not too long ago. Robert Dudley’s wife is being called Amy Dudley. Which of course is correct, but I think I’m used to reading Amy Robsart. I’m almost certain that’s what I always see. Just threw me for a loop. Anyone else ever read Dudley? Tell me the book title please!


Sooo somehow I have the NG copy (about which I now remember being extremely excited )Annnd I think I may have an e-copy on iBooks yet I don’t remember buying that…but it’s sill on my list of to+buy a paper baby version. Which, yes, I will have three copies. But I didn’t do it on purpose. I found this series of what may be visitor guides or memento type books for major/more well known palaces in England so I want all of them as paper babies. I just think there are some books best in that format, some in audio, etc. my problem is trying to find exactly how many there are.

Royal reads project 2023

[Juliew. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely and charming book about the history of Hampton Court Palace.I was very much impressed with just how much history it did indeed contain.While I think this was a very good thing I was hoping for more of a room by room history or a historical objects tour contained within the famous and infamous palace walls.There are some mentions of these but they were rather footnotes to the story as a whole.Over all I enjoyed it and I hope to see something else on this topic from the author in the future.

Much thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandals and chocolate. Who can ask for anything more? Gareth's Russell's The Palace looks at 500 years of Hampton Court and all of the very colorful characters who walked through its doors. There were quite a few and "colorful" might be putting it mildly.

There is a lot to love about this book and its scope includes the biggest names in British history. Russell is such a good writer that even chapters with less intrigue still hold your attention. I also especially enjoyed Russell's sincere attempts to balance historical perspective. There are not many who take the time to defend Mary I, and you have to appreciate an author who is dedicated to balance. Except Charles I, because what a mess that guy was.

My sole issue with The Palace is that I often found myself disappointed when chapter's ended. This is due to Russell's writing ability as I wanted him to dig more into most chapters. The book's focus on Hampton Court meant he needed to move on to keep with the through line of the book, but I was left wanting more in a bad way. It's not a minor criticism but it should in no way discourage someone from reading this book if you think it seems interesting. I still very much enjoyed it.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Atria Books.)

[David Eppenstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess if you wanted to know what this book is about it would help if the opening line of the book were something like: If the walls of Hampton Court could talk this book would contain all they had to say. In short this is the history of England as viewed from Hampton Court. The author warns that this is not an architectural history of HC though I personally would have found that interesting. Nevertheless, the author does treat the reader to a great deal of the deconstruction, reconstruction, additions, and major and minor remodeling of HC through the centuries and the whims of its royal residents. It is an interesting book but I think it would help a great deal if the reader was more than casually familiar with English history. What the author does in this book is to recount the historical events of England that had some involvement with HC or a resident of HC. As such then not every bit of English history involved this building and, in fact, some royals went out of their way to avoid the place. Apparently George II gave his grandson, George III (our Revolutionary king) a good thrashing when he was a boy at HC. This incident left such a negative impression of HC that George III decided never to live there. This being said the history is somewhat spotty and large gaps occur in the telling of English history from this perspective. Now what will get the attention of most readers is the thoroughly gossipy stuff the author relates about the residents, their guests, the staff, and anybody else that happened to wonder into HC and made an impression. The descriptions of events at this residence will give the reader of view of the mechanics and logistics of operating and maintaining HC as well as the life of English nobility during the various phases of history. What will also be learned is who was sleeping with who and why and bedroom escapades are completely laid bare (pardon the pun) for the reader. The gossip is quite juicy and knowing something about English history makes these revelations even juicier. Actually the gossip is far more interesting and informative than the actual history. This is an entertaining book that is marginally informative and occasionally amusing. Enjoy.

[Claire Ridgway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gareth Russell and his publisher William Collins for sending me a review copy of Gareth’s book “The Palace”. I’m a huge Gareth Russell fan – his biography of Catherine Howard, Young and Damned and Fair, is one of my all-time favourite history books, and I can’t say enough good things about his book on the Titanic, The Ship of Dreams – so I was dying to read The Palace.
I was not disappointed, and now I have another all-time favourite history book!
I loved it. I loved every minute of reading it. It was a delight. I carried it around the house from room to room, enjoying five minutes here and there, well, perhaps more like 20 minutes, as I did chores or took a break from work. It felt like an indulgence reading it; it was such a treat.
Now, you might be forgiven for thinking this book on Hampton Court is going to be a dry read, that it’s going to be about the palace’s architectural history. Well, you’d be wrong. It’s not that at all. The palace is the setting; it’s the beautiful backdrop. As novelist Philippa Gregory says on the cover quote, “If a house could gossip, this is the book that Hampton Court would whisper”, and that’s so true. The building has seen so much history, so many people, so many lavish events, births, deaths, marriages, affairs, been a refuge for some, a place of sad memories for others, a home for many, from the very privileged to the lowliest servant. If only its walls could speak, and they really do in Gareth’s book.
In “The Palace”, Gareth takes us through the history of the palace, but it’s a social history; it’s told through the people who owned it, lived there or visited it. The prologue takes us back only to 1953 to a ball held at Hampton Court Palace for the new queen, Elizabeth II, 600 years after the first monarch, Edward III, had arrived at the palace. We’re then taken back to the very beginnings of the palace as a manor owned by the Knights to the Hospitaller before we have a wonderful journey through history, ending with a visit made to the palace in 2016 by the then Duchess of Cambridge.
I can’t believe how much history Gareth got through, and it was all done in such an entertaining, and at times poignant, way. So many people’s stories were told, and I particularly loved the stories of those who lived in the grace and favour accommodation at the palace, people who called it home and saw it very differently to its royal owners or the public visiting it. I loved little snippets like servants’ children getting into trouble in Victorian times for defacing works of art like those by Holbein and grace and favour children graffiti-ing no smoking signs and their parents having boozy picnics in the ground and nearly burning down centuries-old trees! Others having seances or complaining about the resident ghosts, and others like Michael Faraday and his wife just loving it as their home.
One poignant tale was that of the Unknown Warrior, whose tomb is, of course, found in Westminster Abbey. What I didn’t know was that his coffin was made from a royal tree, an oak from the Hampton Court Palace estate. “The Fallen Oak” was one of my favourite chapters, and I just loved how Gareth told the story of the Unknown Warrior.
I have visited Hampton Court Palace so many times, but the next time I go, I will view it with new eyes. I’ve only ever been interested in the Tudor bits before, but Gareth’s book has given me a new understanding of the palace’s history, a new appreciation for what later royals did to it, and I know as I wander around it, I will be transported back in time and probably find myself chuckling to myself as my mind conjures up some of the episodes from Gareth’s book, the bad behaviour of some of its residents.
I won’t share any more as I don’t want to spoil the book, but do put this one on your “to read” list. It’s a delight, it really is.

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars; exceptional book and narration. I learned so much from this, and I especially liked the connections and relevance that the author added all along the way. Kudos.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Atria Books for the gifted copy to review!

I love all things Royals and was excited to read about Hampton Court Palace and its history. Audiobook is definitely the way to read this book, which I thought was very well done. The narrator did an excellent job, I was hooked from the start and my attention was held until the end, which is sometimes difficult with these historical books.

[Stephie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Palace by Gareth Russell reads like a who's who of people that have lived and walked through Hampton Palace. Whenever I travel, I love to visit historical sites. I am always wondering if these walls could talk what would they say? Or just simply trying to imagine what it was like to live in a place during a certain time. This book gives you that and more. You get biography not only the Palace but of the people and about events. It is not an architectural history but there are mentions on things destroyed, rebuilt, and preserved.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'd recommend to those interested in British History or enjoy books in microcosm. Would have loved to see more images added.

[Michelle Marmelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely addictive reading! Gareth Russell tells the story of this beautiful palace in such an interesting and unpretentious way that is refreshing and quite light-weight. Great for anyone who loves history, gossipy tidbits, miscellanea and everything in-between.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really disappointing. It was a smattering of random history and not about the palace in the way I had hoped. I thought it was going to be about the architecture and nuances of the structure. I only finished half as it was random and boring and not new in what was discussed.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the gift shop after Amy and I went to Hampton Court for the Tulip Festival! The history in this book is so much more interesting than what is shared in the palace but you gotta protect the tourist kiddos from getting too in the details of some of these scandals 🤣

A lil photo I took from the tulip festival:

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely fascinating history of Hampton Court and its 500 years of residents. I was amazed that this’s history also includes the unknown WW1 soldier and even Michael Faraday- father of electronics.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My February audiobook! This is the history of Hampton court palace through its famous residents. Really enjoyed learning about how it was used beyond the Tudor years.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court is the first of Gareth Russell’s books that I have read, but I know it won’t be the last. This is a magnificent popular history of Hampton Court, the English palace that was the site of Edward VI’s birth and Jane Seymour’s death, Katherine Howard’s arrest, Mary I’s honeymoon and disastrous phantom pregnancy seclusion, Elizabeth I’s near-fatal bought of smallpox, the famed Hampton Court Conference that produced the King James Bible, and Charles I’s honeymoon and imprisonment. The palace passed through both Cardinal Wolsey’s and Oliver Cromwell’s hands, and wood from the estate’s oak trees were used to construct the tomb for Britain’s Unknown Warrior after World War I. If the title leads one to believe that The Palace is about architecture, fear not—this is a book focused on people above all else. By using a place as a focal point of history, Russell is able to tell a vast story about the British monarchy, from medieval times up to the present day, with a particular emphasis on the Tudors and Stuarts. There are a few minor quibbles here and there, namely that The Palace does occasionally wander away from Hampton Court in order to provide key context, and the later chapters on the Hanovers and Windsors are both more brief and less engaging that the earlier sections, which provide a much richer history. These are easy enough to overlook in light of the full story, which takes what could have been a dry and plodding history and turns it into an engaging read. Russell is the rare academic whose writing is as accessible as it is well-researched, and I look forward to reading more of his work soon.

[Owen Emmerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book about a place and its people that is quite as unique, innovative and beautifully written as this one. Russell has, of course, previously penned some of the most profoundly prepossessing works that I have had the pleasure of reading. ‘The Palace’, however, is undoubtedly his finest work to date.

Usually a book of this breadth requires something if a gallop through history, yet somehow Russell manages to cover an impressive amount of time with the most stately of glides. The detail here is as rich and colourful as the Abraham tapestries once were as they hung in Henry’s Great Hall. Hampton Court was, of course, a Tudor palace, and that part of its history is sumptuously explored. Yet Russell’s remarkable insights into its later history gave me a completely new insight into how Hampton Court evolved over the centuries and why. From chocolate kitchens, bibles, Romanov exiles, grace and favour existences, to the House of Windsor, this work is filled with the most delectable vignettes which take us to the heart of the Palace’s history. We are shown the live dynamic of the building, which is full of feeling and behaviour.

Russell has reignited Hampton Court’s candles, & the stories of its fascinating past inhabitants spring into sharp relief from the shadows. This is a rare gem of a book that is bound to delight its legion of readers. A triumph.

I would like to thank the author and publisher for the great honour of receiving an advance copy of this breathtaking work.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and engaging history of the people and grand events that have taken place at Hampton Court Palace over the past 500 years with a particular emphasis on the Tudor, Stuart and early Hanoverian periods. I was especially interested in the little known aspects of Hampton Court's history including Oliver Cromwell and his wife living in the Queen's chambers during the interregnum and the diverse range of guests in the grace and favour houses from Michael Faraday to Grand Duchess Xenia. I would have been interested to learn more about the architectural transformation of the palace over the centuries.

[Sarah Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hampton court Palace: an extraordinary edifice that still stands along the River Thames today. An unforgotten history locked inside the famously grand and ghostly red brickwork 🏵️

Countless stories of intrigue, love and centuries old vice linger here in its quarters. Explored in exquisite detail by historian Gareth Russell who you may know from the Historical Royal Palaces podcast. Gareth takes you through Hampton’s doors as the book reveals a wealth of hidden history and in great depth. For me it is a truly exciting glimpse into the past.

This manor turned palace was a ‘place to retreat, celebrate or hunt’ and accommodated several Monarchs- most famously Henry VIII and his six wives after it was surrendered by Cardinal Wolsey in 1529. Anne Boleyn was the first English Queen to take up royal residency at Hampton Court, where she had her own private lodgings. It is here that she rose to great favour and fell from power in such quick succession. Anne Boleyn’s Gateway however, is where her carved initials survive almost 500 years on. Anne, even in death has certainly left an ineffable mark.

Did you know that in the late 1600s, a chocolate kitchen was introduced to the palace? I had no idea until reading this remarkable book! Chocolate was a somewhat relatively new delicacy in England and a costly luxury. The kitchen was built during renovations by King William III and Queen Mary. The King and Queen would usually take their chocolate as a drink at breakfast time, and it was often served in the bedroom and served as part of a ritual known as the levee. I can so picture the smell of hot cocoa wafting through the royal courtyard and up through the chimneys 😍

Hampton Court was a social palace, teeming with life in its many rooms and kitchens. A place of opportunity and great extravagance. Definitely a huge flex if you were Henry VIII. It also housed great sadness and scandal, both perhaps still echoing in its walls today. I now feel like I really know Hampton thanks to Gareth’s eye for detail. A fantastic book, please read it!

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Palace is a very informative and interesting historical account of the various parts of Hampton Court Palace, how and when they were built, and the people whose lives were intertwined with the building.

For me, this was a thoroughly researched, interesting account. Visiting Hampton Court was one of the highlights for me on my trip to England in 2018, and I am always curious to learn more about it. I especially enjoyed the fact that the author spent more time on the Stuart and Georgian (Hanoverian) kings and queens that lived in the palace, since I was more familiar with the Tudor aspect. Learning about James I, Charles the 1st and 2nd, James III and Mary II and Queen Anne among others was very enlightening for me, as well as finding out some of the modern people who lived there once part of the palace became grace and favour apartments.

Other than a few typos that I am sure have already been edited out, I had no issues whatever with this book. It was an entertaining read, and I would happily read any other historical books this author publishes. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader's copy. This is a voluntary review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A living history of a magnificent building dating back to the Tudor era. For a study of Hampton Court, there was a lot of research and analysis but it wasn’t dry at all. Having been once to visit, I was comparing the stuff on the page to my memory and the pictures to make connections. Henry VIII, Cardinals Wolsey, The wives, Elizabeth, The Stuarts, the Republican era, Cromwell, the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, the Reformation, the Hapsburgs, Victoria, the Windsors. All of them passed through the various parts of Hampton. A living building as well, expanded and altered thru time, rooms by Anne Boleyn no longer exist due to her fate, new decorations and alterations by many of the monarchs, wanting to put their stamp on it, to existing to house people like Michael Faraday, and other less prominent widows of vicars, soldiers, and retired civil servants.

An all-encompassing history of England in 600yrs from the perspective of one great building.

Highly recommended and very easy to read, with lots of backing info even if you’ve never studied history at all.

[Ken Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

[03 Apr 2025] An interesting and informative history book, but possibly slightly mis-named. 'The Palace' suggests it is a book about the history of Hampton Court Palace. It is that to some extent, but it is more so about the English and later British history that played out there. The stories are well told - from the the well trodden - Henry VIII and his wives to the practically unknown - the Russian Tsar's sister, Grand Duchess Xenia who lived there until her death in 1960. An easy read and on the whole enjoyable. The stories jump along with narrative pace and are relatively brief - pretty much all of them are told in more depth elsewhere. The Palace is always in the background, but does sometimes get lost for long periods before re-emerging. I must confess, I was slightly disappointed that it did not really conjure up (for me anyhow) a mental picture of the Palace and the size, scale and grandeur are not tackled. The current situation - who lives there, the relationship of the Monarch who owns it still to it, the maintenance of it, its issues and problems, the experience of visiting it, even its location are not really brought to life.

As a history of what happened there - it is entertaining and informative, but a not really a history of a Palace. I think this approach is illustrated by the inclusion of Royal family Pedigrees, but no floor/development plans or locational maps of the Palace itself - which is a shame. No mention of what county it is in? I have visited and remember the awe and overwhelming magnificence of it, but frankly, if I had not been there this book wouldn't inspire me to visit.

[Annie Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humane, throughly researched history of the residents of Hampton Court Palace! This book is less about the actual buildings/geography, and more about the people that moved on and off the palace’s stage.

Main takeaways:

-People have always been WILD and needed Jesus, through time and place.
-Women in history were a lot more alert and resourceful with their limited agency than we give them credit for.
-Religious violence is deeply sad. Pregnancy loss is deeply sad. The plague and industrial accidents and political assassinations are deeply sad.
-There aren’t necessarily heroes in Tudor/Stuart/Hanoverian history, just complex people making a lot of decisions in complex circumstances.
-Georgian hot chocolate sounds good

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Palace by Gareth Russell is an overview of the people and events of Hampton Court Palace and grounds over 500 years from King Henry VIII to Queen Elizabeth II. Hampton Court is beautiful to behold and Russell's vivid imagery whisked me off into different eras in a nanosecond. It is easy to hear the rustling skirts, fervent gossipy whispers in the halls, kitchen pans clanging and busy tennis courts but this book is all sensory.

For me the most striking aspects are the ordinary details which contextually become extraordinary. Many highlights include Elizabeth II practicing for her coronation, effects of disfiguring smallpox, efficacy of rushes on floors, "the Sweat", amusement in the indoor bowling alley, Protestantism and Catholicism, origin of the King James Bible, daily lives and duties of staff, the Unknown Warrior and connection with Marshal Broz Tito.

Immerse yourself in The Palace and enjoy learning about the importance of time and place in British history.

My sincere thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing book. The above opinions are honest and solely mine.

[Allison Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved how Russell organized and formatted his book, as this palace holds a lot of history that has to be told in less than 400 pages. In each chapter, Russell focuses on one figure or moment in time and takes the time to talk about their intriguing stories and how it connects to Hampton Court. The next chapter then would move on a decade or so later. I felt satisfied with the amount of information provided, it was not too long or too short. I really did feel like I was traveling through time and experiencing the memories Hampton Court palace holds. I am so excited to travel and tour this palace during my upcoming trip to London!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun look at the history of Hampton Court through the years. I found the Tudor time period to be the most interesting, no surprise since that’s my fav. I would have loved a bit more about the castle itself vs the people in it, but it’s a really interesting read that I’d recommend to history lovers. The narration on the audio was fantastic but I also loved seeing the pictures included in the book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning portrait of the life and times of Hampton Court Palace and those who have lived in/loved/hated it. Russell kept me sufficiently hooked throughout each chapter which beautifully focused on specific rooms/areas of Hampton Court, as well as less well-known vignettes of the palace’s life.

Thanks to this book, I now miss my favorite place more than ever!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have visited Hampton Court Palace twice and this book was a beautiful tribute to a palace so central to British history. I loved how Russell chose to organize the book, as he walked through Hampton Court's history by profiling how the palace fit into the lives of royals during the Tudor, Stuart, Hanover, and Windsor reigns. It was a fascinating survey of hundreds of years of British history and I could not recommend this book more.

[Anthony Millspaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the castle and its inhabitants!

[Tom Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but really a history of English monarchy with a bit of the palace thrown in. The last two chapters were unnecessary.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

the stuart’s line ending bc everyone was bisexual but they were also Protestant so they couldn’t say they were is sending me so bad

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very readable history book. It was very well written and very interesting. I loved it.