The Old Palaces Tour is one of Somerset House’s tour that is
run on a weekly basis, exploring the history that was before the building that
it has become now. The tour takes runs twice on a Tuesday, except on major
events which inevitably will have to put off the tours until they are over such
as the London Fashion Show. Another tour of interest is the Historical Highlights of Somerset House which runs on a Thursday and Saturday. The tour gives access to the Strand baths located
around the corner to Somerset House.
Edward Seymour having taken over from Edward VI as king as
he was too young to rule, proved to be very unpopular when he knocked down
neighbouring buildings to extend the existing palace. He was arrested twice,
with the first being let off, but the second time he was charged.
Queen Elizabeth took over the house but preferred to stay at
St. James’s Palace. With the developments came a 3-storey gatehouse leading on
to the Great Court, then on to the Great Hall and an ornate garden with views
of the river.
During the 17th Century, the Somerset House Conference were
formed beginning a peace treaty between the representatives of Spanish
Netherlands, Spain and England. You can see a painting of them in the National
Portrait Gallery in Room 2, showing them sitting around a table. To be noted
that you can also see the interiors of the old palace walls in the painting.
3 Stuart Queens took to Somerset House as their personal
residence. The first was Ann of Denmark who renamed the palace as Denmark
House, who held social and cultural events of London giving a whole redesign to
the palace. She erected a 13 feet high Italian fountain in the garden.
The second Queen, Henrietta Maria, erected a Roman Catholic chapel. Oliver Cromwell defaced and stripped the
chapel causing an uprise against Henrietta Maria’s husband, King Charles I.
Henrietta Maria fled to France while Charles I remained to fight off against
Cromwell. In 1649, Charles I was executed and Oliver Cromwell sold off items
which included all paintings at rock bottom prices, which meant that the nation
had lost a lot of art treasures. Ironically, Oliver Cromwell lay in state after
his death at Somerset House after removing a lot from the house. Henrietta
Maria did return and redid the chapel and built a palladium gallery, but in
1665, she fleed again following the Great Plague.
Somerset House’s Deadhouse is where 5 memorial stones
commemorating people associated the house can be found. These were designed for
the chapel that once stood at Somerset House and were salvaged when it was
demolished.
Catherine of Brazanga was to take up residence with
Christopher Wren refurbishing the palace. She left after her husband King
Charles II died and returned to Portugal. Interestingly enough, it is said that
she introduced tea drinking to Great Britain. George III and Queen Charlotte
were given the house but declined as the place was in ruins. The Government
exchanged rights to Buckingham House (now famously known as Buckingham Palace)
for the old Tudor palace. The Govermnent had then demolished the whole building
and rebuilt the grounds.
The grand finale to the tour is the Strand Lane bath which
is also the location for the boundary of the old garden. The fountain measures
1.9m by 4.75m with a rounded end and 1.4m deep. Intrigue comes from the true
origin which is completely shrouded with mystery as to when it was made and its
mention in Charles Dickens’ Copperfield.
It is said that it is not a Roman relic and was created in the early 17th
century. It was acquired by the National Trust in 1948. It was originally used
as a feeder to the fountain in Somerset House’s garden during Anne of Denmark’s
residence.
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