The Puzzle Palace and the Royal Filtering System

From the scale of the gatehouse entrance into the Base Court to the extravagant hand painted ceilings to the spectacular formal gardens – it is clear that the Hampton Court Palace was designed to project an image of luxury and wealth. After Henry VIII had taken the palace from Cardinal Wolsey, he transformed it to further demonstrate his power, which was intended to rival Versailles. The King architected the palace in a way to practically feed, accommodate and entertain his court, people of high rank, and his servants. The following paragraphs will focus on how the design of the palace was used to restrict access to the King by channeling people to the spaces appropriate to their rank.  

As I made my way through the Seymour Gate Main entrance into the Master Carpenter’s Court, I heard the noise of chopping from horses and the shouting from servants instantly. After passing through the court, I had been bombarded by the scent of fire burning in Henry VIII’s kitchen. The first floor consists of multiple kitchens that are filled with food prepared by cooks and servers, such as salted meats, vegetables and bread. According to the official site of the Hampton Court Palace, hundreds of servants were allowed to eat at the palace, but not given a dining place. Those who were in the lowest ranking ate in the kitchens or in their own lodgings.

Throughout the palace are long chains of rooms with a guard at each door. Henry VIII designed his palace to prevent all except the most important of people to gaining access to the monarch’s private spaces. The more lavish a courtier’s clothes were, the closer they got to the King. As I walked up the stairs from Clock Tower, I came across the Great Hall where the mid-to-low ranking men ate. This is the largest room in the Hampton Court Palace. In my opinion, I found this to be the most magnificent room. Its walls are hung with Henry VIII’s ornate tapestries, which are known as The Story of Abraham (Hampton Court Palace).

The top ranked courtiers ate in the Great Watching Chamber, which is located in Henry VIII’s apartment next to the Great Hall. The ceiling of the Great Watching Chamber caught my attention the most. It is beautifully decorated with an elaborate design of gold leaf and the badge of Jane Seymour. According to The Times of the Tudors, the design of the Great Watching Chamber was built in honor of Jane after she gave birth to Henry VIII’s son and heir.

Henry VIII’s Palace is architected in a way that restricted access to the King. The design was meant to put people to the spaces appropriate for their status, which is an example of a royal filtering system. Although there are many magnificent pieces of art, history, and architecture, this to me was the most fascinating design in the Hampton Court Palace.