The Banqueting House at Whitehall

The Palace at Whitehall began as the medieval London residence of the Archbishops of York and later became the seat of Cardinal Wolsey, before he fell from favor with Henry VIII. The king subsequently enlarged and transformed York Palace into the magnificent Palace of Whitehall, and it functioned as the principal residence of the Tudor and Stuart monarchs until it was largely destroyed by fire in 1698. Today, the Banqueting House, built in 1622 and designed by Inigo Jones in a classical style, is the only surviving part of the palace. Widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in England, its construction helped usher in a new architectural language across the country.

Among its most triumphant highlights is the vast and opulent first-floor hall, which features nine ceiling paintings completed by Peter Paul Rubens in 1635, set into gilded frames. Commissioned by Charles I, the epic paintings celebrate the divine authority of the Stuart monarchy, depicting scenes such as the apotheosis of James I and VI and the union of Scotland and England.

Visitors can also step outside to the site of Charles I’s execution, which took place directly in front of the Banqueting House. A lead bust of the condemned king sits in a niche above the house’s entrance as a somber reminder of his fate. Below, the vaulted Undercroft, originally a drinking space for James I and VI, offers a glimpse into more private enjoyment, having once housed a decorative grotto.

^{The Banqueting Hall with ceiling paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. © Historic Royal Palaces}