Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Banqueting House
This two-story building is just about all that remains of what was once the biggest palace
in Europe—Whitehall Palace, which once stretched from Trafalgar Square to Big Ben.
Henry VIII started building it when he moved out of the Palace of Westminster (now the
Parliament) and into the residence of the archbishop of York. Queen Elizabeth I and other
monarchs added on as England's worldwide prestige grew.
Today, the exterior of Greek-style columns and pediments looks rather ho-hum, much
like every other white, marble building in London. But in 1620, it was a one-of-a-kind
wonder—a big, white temple rising above small, half-timbered huts. Built by architect
Inigo Jones, it sparked London's interest in the classical style. Within a century, London
was awash in Georgian-style architecture, the English version of Neoclassical.
Facing the Banqueting House, look at the first-floor windows (with the balus-
trade)—the site of one of the pivotal events of English history. On January 30, 1649, a
man dressed in black appeared at one of the windows and looked out at a huge crowd that
surrounded the building. He stepped out the window and onto a wooden platform. It was
King Charles I. He gave a short speech to the crowd, framed by the magnificent backdrop
of the Banqueting House. His final word was “Remember.” Then he knelt and laid his
neck on a block as another man in black approached. It was the executioner—who cut off
the king's head.
