Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Somerset House
Hob Uid: 404849
Location : Greater London Authority City of Westminster Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3079080760
Summary : House acquired by the crown in 1551 as an unfinished property of the executed Duke of Somerset. Became the residence of Edward VI in 1553, the first Renaissance palace built in England. Known as Denmark House in 1603. Some of the 17th century remodelling was carried out by Inigo Jones. Demolished in 1775, it was replaced by the first large government office block. It is built around a central courtyard with a free-standing North wing. Photographic surveys of the basement and chimney pieces were undertaken in by RCHME in 1997 and 1998.
More information : [Name Centred TQ 30738085] Site of Somerset (Denmark) House [GT] A - [TQ 30728087] Site of Gate [GT] B - [TQ 30708081] Site of chapel [GT] (1) C - [TQ 30798076] Site of Somerset Stairs [AT] (2) This property was acquired by the Crown in 1551 when it was still incomplete. It represented the first serious attempt in England to construct a classical facade. In 1553 it became the residence of Edward VI, fitted out at the expense of the Duke of Northumberland in exchange for use of Durham House. Major repairs were already necessary in 1558-65. In 1603 James I assigned it to his wife Anne of Denmark and it became known as Denmark House. Reconstruction and redecoration were undertaken in 1609 and further work in 1627 (eg the river stairs and chapel) some of it under the direction of Inigo Jones. The new chapel (finished in 1635) was needed for the Spanish Catholic queen, Henrietta Maria. Works in the gardens included the provision of grottos with fountains (and a complicated water supply). (3) By the restoration further work was needed for what became the official residence of the Queen Mother with provision of stables (probably by Richard Hooke) and a new suite of State rooms facing the river. From 1706 the palace was designated for the reception of foreign embassies. (4) History of Somerset House from the 16th-20th century. (5) Plans and notes on building history. (6) Historical notes. (7) Discussion of design and the architecture/architect. (8)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 1/1056 1911
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : OS 1/1056 1916
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Source Number : 3
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Page(s) : 252-71
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Source Number : 4
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Page(s) : 254-9
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Bates L M 1967, Somerset House
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : W Godfrey
Page(s) : 216-9
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Vol(s) : 10, 1922

Source Number : 7
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Source details : Home Counties Magazine, 1 (1899) (W H Jacob)
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Tipping H A 1924, English Homes, period 2 vol 1 1ii-1ii, fig lxvi
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Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 818-9
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Finished 1553
Monument End Date : 1553
Monument Start Date : 1553
Monument Type : Royal Palace
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Repaired 1558-65
Monument End Date : 1565
Monument Start Date : 1558
Monument Type : Royal Palace
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : C17 alterations
Monument End Date : 1635
Monument Start Date : 1609
Monument Type : Royal Palace, Royal Chapel, Landing Steps, Garden, Fountain, Grotto
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Structure, Botanical Feature

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Demolished 1775
Monument End Date : 1775
Monument Start Date : 1775
Monument Type : Royal Palace
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : From 1775
Monument End Date : 1775
Monument Start Date : 1775
Monument Type : Government Office
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 106363
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR21760/06
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR21760/04
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 428227
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 38 SW 323
External Cross Reference Notes :

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