The New Murrey and Blue blog

The end of much of historic Westminster Palace…..

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The above illustration marks the terrible scene on 16 October 1834 when fire consumed the Palace of Westminster, which had been there, gradually expanding in various styles, since the 11th century. Then, in one night, it was destroyed. The cause, it’s believed, was the careless disposal of tally sticks in a furnace; the result was a conflagration that changed Westminster forever. Now we have Pugin’s great edifice.

But if you look at the two illustrations above, you get a final glimpse of what the old palace looked like from Old Palace Yard. The palace that Richard III knew is still discernible. How amazing that Westminter Hall could be rescued, although it too suffered greatly.

There are many sites online that deal with this event, not least this one from which I have taken some of the illustrations and which I recommend. And if you visit this site too you’ll find lots more about the palace.

 

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  1. Gary Avatar
    Gary

    I was a visitor to Westminster Abbey in the spring of 1983. At the museum there was displayed a large (at least 6 foot (2 meter)) model of the medieval Palace of Westminster which I had always had a fascination with. No cameras were allowed, of course, in the museum. During those days before the internet there was limited information on the palace available to a teenager in America and I did not derive as much from the viewing as I would today. Have spent many an hour over the years trying to find a photo of this model but have never succeeded. Appreciate this info and photos viscountess.

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