Join us for a deep dive into the art and history of one of London's oldest royal landmarks.

Before a fire in 1512, medieval Westminster Palace was the seat of the English monarchy, presenting the grandest hall, the intensely painted king’s bedchamber and a glittering chapel; and in the adjacent royal abbey church the golden coronation seat and ultimately the nation’s mausoleum. Today we still speak of the ‘Palace of Westminster’ and it strictly retains its status as a palace. But what was it like? Within and beneath the Victorian Houses of Parliament are significant remains of the old palace that, along with the observations and recording of antiquarians over the centuries, enable a reconstruction of royal life, art and meaning at the heart of the nation. This richly illustrated series of talks leads us back into royal Westminster’s vanished chambers.

Lecture1. Edward the Confessor to Henry III (c.1040-1272)

Lecture 2. Edward I to Henry VIII (1272-1547)

Lecture 3. Edward IV to present (1547-)