Hampton Court Palace

With the reorganization of England after the War of Roses, changes in administration as far-reaching as any of those of the Norman conquest were instituted. The Church and the nobility no longer held the same powers in government and their former positions were filled by doctors, lawyers and merchants. The king ruled with a privy council and the House of Commons was strengthened with representatives from the new boroughs. This led to a concentration of administrative power, particularly in the hands of the Lord Chancellor who was, at the time, Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop of York. Because of the importance of his position and power, Wolsey's Hampton Court Palace was the most important building of the time. Just before his fall, Wolsey presented the building to Henry VIII who consequently made alterations and enlarged the building. The palace was built of dark red brick with stone dressings; the windows were small with flat pointed heads. Elaboration, which was confined to the central features, was mainly Gothic, although, in certain parts, the ornaments are of a Renaissance character.