Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace is well known from historical films set in and around the palace. The palace was originally built by Cardinal Wolsey early in the 16th century and subsequently acquired by Henry VIII.
This is Base Court looking back towards the main entrance. The statuary (the "Beasts") on the roof of the Great Hall is the focus of this project.
Originally, a lion, leopard or dragon holding gilded vane would stand upon octagonal turrets on the roof of the Great Hall (Ernest Law - The History of Hampton Court Palace pages 165-168). This one appears to be a greyhound.
Another greyhound. Twenty nine of these "Kynges bestes" were carved by Thomas Johnson and sold to Henry for a total of 16 shillings and eight pence. The vanes were made by John a Guylders for 4 shillings each (Ernest Law - The History...App. C. VI).
A dragon, perhaps one of the original statues.
Another dragon, or possibly a lion.
Some of the sixteen beasts (or gargoyles) on the slanted coping stones of the gable ends of Wolsey's West Front. These were made by John a Guylder for 5 shillings and 4 pence each (Ernest Law).
Gable end gargoyles
Another King's Beast - a greyhound, with a tablet carved with the Royal Arms - three lions.
Henry VIII's Astronomical Clock: 15 foot square, it displays the hours, the days, the months, high tides and the phases of the moon. Invented by Nicholas Cratzner, it was installed in 1540 (Ernest Law page 217).
Thanks for viewing and your comments. Contact me through Behance messages if you would like a canvas or paper print of any image posted. All images are subject to copyright.
Some details above are found in The History of Hampton Court Palace by Ernest Philip Alphonse Law, G. Bell and Sons, 1890.
