There are so many talented historians right now that I actively am excited when I hear that they are releasing a new book. And Gareth Russell is at the top of that list after reading his incredible biography of Katherine Howard. Hampton Court Palace remains one of the most popular royal history sites, and thousands of people visit each year to walk in the footsteps of King Henry VIII, Queen Mary II, and more. This biography of Hampton Court Palace shows us these monarchs, and so many more other people who also called Hampton Court Home. For our Book Bite, let’s explore The Palace by Gareth Russell.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court, Gareth Russell
The popular and “scrupulous historian” (Daily Mail , London) Gareth Russell presents five hundred years of British history—from King Henry VIII to Queen Elizabeth II—as seen through the doorways of the exquisite Hampton Court Palace .
Architecturally breathtaking and rich in splendid art and décor, Hampton Court Palace has been the stage of some of the most important events in British history, such as the commissioning of King James’s version of the Bible, the staging of many of Shakespeare’s plays, and Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ball.
Accessible, engaging, and unputdownable, The Palace takes us into every room in the castle, revealing the ups and downs of royal history and illustrating what was at play politically, socially, and economically at the time. An engaging and charming history book that is perfect for fans of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Andrew Lownie, The Palace makes you feel as if you were in the room as history was made.
Why You Should Read This…
I’m not always sold on biographies of places; sometimes I find that they can be dry and somewhat lacking. However, that is in no way an issue with The Palace!
Russell uses Hampton Court Palace to shed light on the thousands of people who lived at the Palace, visited the Palace, and worked at the Palace. When you think about just how many people that covers, this book becomes all the more impressive. It did not feel rushed in any way but also did not feel like a textbook that is crammed with information. He brings these historic figures (from all walks of life) alive for us, and reminds us that while Kings and Queens lived at Hampton Court, so did many other people.
This book has roughly one building or location at Hampton Court per each chapter, and it is a clever framing devices that allows Russell to cover different stories. He also divides the book into the different dynasties. This particularly interested me because I am fascinated by the Stuart and Georgian half of the Palace, and Russell covered it admirably instead of ignoring it for the Tudor palace as so many people do. (And might I say, if you do find yourself at Hampton Court Palace, please make sure to visit the Stuart/Georgian palace, as well!)
Is The Palace by Gareth Russell on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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