This course starts with the legends of King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table and the legacy of medieval King Alfred from whom the British monarchy descends. Dating from the 11th century, Queen Elizabeth’s weekend home is Windsor Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world. During the 16th century the Stewarts in Scotland and Tudors in England rivalled Europe’s Renaissance princes. James IV of Scotland married Margaret Tudor, they created Stirling Castle to rival England’s Eltham Palace, both radically restored. Margaret’s brother Henry VIII lavished money on Hampton Court Palace making it the apogee of Tudor Renaissance taste. Stewart James VI of Scotland inherited the kingdoms of England, Wales and Ireland in 1601 marking the start of Britain’s Stuart dynasty as James I. Hampton Court was made yet more glorious by the later Stuarts William and Mary. The Georgian dynasty spanned the 18th and early 19th centuries, arguably leaving the finest examples of architectural taste, fashion and design, we will examine its royal evolution from the works of William Kent to John Nash at the oriental inspired Royal Pavilion, Brighton.
Victoria and Albert are inextricably associated with the social mores, romance and innovation of the 19th century. Osborne House remains testament to their family values and Albert’s love of technology. In Scotland’s Highlands, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built Balmoral Castle in Scottish Baronial style, which remains a favourite with the Royal Family. Sandringham House, Norfolk, was a wedding present from Victoria to her wayward eldest son Edward and wife Alexandra, another favourite residence of her great-great granddaughter Elizabeth II. The royal narrative of the site of Buckingham Palace can be traced from James I, all bar two of George III’s children were born here, many a royal has stepped out onto its famous balcony to greet the public, and it is the Queen’s official London residence. The architecture of Cambridge has many Royal associations which will be the subject of a field trip.
