Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #222146 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

A beautifully illustrated and relatively detailed history of the palace and its occupants
Over 120 pages the author gives a relatively detailed history of Kensington Palace from its initial construction as the home of Sir George Coppin in 1605 up to the present time. The story starts with the manor of Chenesiton in Domesday Book. What adds to the book's attraction is that attention is also given to the lives and times of the palace's occupiers as well as to the construction and reconstruction of the edifice itself.

Chapters are titled "Kensington Before the Palace"; "The Royal Residence - Kensington under William & Mary"; "Kensington under Queen Anne"; "The Royal Palace - Kensington in the Reign of George I"; "George II & Queen Caroline"; "Kensington Palace"; "Victorian Kensington"; "The Palace in the 20th Century"; and "Kensington Since the 1970s".

As expected, much of the story is told by means of sumptuous illustrations, featuring full-colour reproductions of contemporary portraits of the royal occupants, their architects and decorators, as well as contemporary views of the house and surroundings, together with wonderful reproductions of maps and plans.

Written in an easy style, but not deficient in authority, this official history is highly recommended.