Palaces of Revolution: Life, Death and Art at the Stuart Court

by Simon Thurley

The story of the Stuart dynasty is a breathless soap opera played out in just a hundred years in an array of buildings that span Europe from Scotland, via Denmark, Holland and Spain to England.

Although the Tudors are the nation’s favourite royal dynasty, the story of the Stuarts is much more exciting. It’s the remarkable tale of James I, whose favourite son dies and is succeeded by his second son, Charles, an aesthete incapable of ruling. Charles I goes to war against his own people – he loses, and is executed. His son, also Charles, gets crowned king in Scotland but, exiled, holds court in Europe. England under Oliver Cromwell, meanwhile, is still a monarchy in all but name. When Cromwell dies nobody knows what to do. Short on options, Charles II is restored to the throne; but he has no legitimate children and, unlike Henry VIII, does not divorce his queen – the heir is his brother, a bigoted and narrow-minded Roman Catholic. When he comes to power he turns everyone against him and is driven out and replaced by his Protestant daughter, Mary, and her Dutch husband William of Orange. Mary tragically dies and William leaves no heir, the throne going to James II’s younger daughter Anne. She also fails to have issue and the Stuarts are extinguished as a royal line.

Simon Thurley shows us these places in graphic detail. It takes us from Royston and Newmarket, where James I appropriated most of the town centre as a sort of rough-and-ready royal housing estate, to the steamy Turkish baths at Whitehall where Charles II seduced his mistresses. The book is thus about the everyday life of the monarchy, presented chronologically, through the buildings in which they lived. It will present new stories and information about the period not only in the text but through maps and plans that bring life to the Stuart age.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, 17th Century, Art History

560 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jacqueline Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Stuart gap in between Elizabeth Tudor and German George is now clearer for me!
Actually enjoyed the family story told through their buildings.

[Lewis Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thurley's Palaces of Revolution provided me with a fascinating new perspective on the role of architecture on politics during the so-called Stuart century. Whilst the history is not revisionist nor provocative, nor even particularly challenging, it is a positive experience to read as it bolsters the contextual understanding of infamous tragedies of the age; the civil wars, plague, the great fire, the popish plot, to the simply mundane; the great economic debts that the construction of these high palaces of state (and pleasure) accrued over time.

But what was the greatest pleasure, and this is perhaps where the book truly distinguished itself, was the sheer quantity of available data. Prices, measurements, diagrams, sketches, artwork, floor plans (many of which are based off of Thurley's own research!) all make the hardback version a vibrant addition to the bookshelf. The extent of the footnotes and bibliography for further study/reading is impressive, in that respect Thurley spared no expense, but the data is not merciless in its prevalence; as the reader you find yourself lightly breezing through the text. It also features a few recreations, drawn by Stephen Conlin based off of Thurley's historical detective work.

My experience of studying this time period at university, for my history degree, means that naturally this book did not shock me with exciting new information. Yet, it did add a bold dash of colour to what can often feel like a strange, dark and disassociative age. From the foundations of Thurley's vivid descriptions, in tandem with the included plates and figures, an image of what it would have been like to live amongst the Stuart court blossoms in the mind. A jolly wander indeed, it is nevertheless filled with pity for the characters who inhabited these 'stages' - Thurley clearly correlates the royal presence in palaces to a performer on a stage, entertaining their people with enamorous, awesome spectacle. I would not recommend it as an introduction to the period overall, but, it is an enjoyable expansion on the eccentricity, spectacle, pathos and drama of the Stuart court.

[Ore · Rating 5 out of 5]

fast-paced and engaging introduction to a loaded historical period through its many buildings. Looking forward to reading Houses of Power soon, and hoping for a Georgian architecture book to complete the trilogy!

[Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Anna Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting, the book gives a unique insight into the workings of the court. When you visit a palace nowadays, you get a small sense of what it used to be like, but this book sucks you in entirely. It is at times hard to keep up with the flurry of names and places, but all in all a good and worthy read that makes me want to revisit all the palaces that are mentioned.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Thurley is always a pleasure to read as he makes architectural history fascinating and easy to read.
His book takes you through Palaces associated with Stuart Monarchs, explaining how and why they were built and what the interior would've been like.
Brilliantly researched, highly recommended.
My only complaint is that there isn't an entire book dedicated to Kensington Palace

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good history book!

[sophus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have liked more pictures of Hampton court but the book was good and I will be buying his other book