The Queen's House

When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, James I, Patron of the Arts, brought England into closer cultural touch with the rest of Europe than had ever been possible under the Tudors. James managed to bring a new scholarship to the monarchy and a new impetus to classical learning. Early in his reign, he set about building a house for his queen, Anne of Denmark, and employed Inigo Jones as architect. Inigo Jones (1573-1652) was active at court from 1605 to 1640 as the designer of Italianesque scenery for balls and masques, events in which the queen took great pleasure. He was appointed surveyor of the King's works in 1615, and the Queen's House was his first major commission. The colonnades which are now a part of the house were later additions.