The ceiling of the Chapel Royal

The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace is unique in that it has remained in continuous use as a place of worship from the time of its construction for Cardinal Wolsey circa 1514, right up to the present day, and has been witness to many important religious acts and ceremonies. Its foundations probably pre-date Wolsey's period of building at Hampton Court (1514-1528), as there is known to have been a chapel on the site from 1338 under the Knights Hospitaller. Whilst Wolsey had a new Chapel built for his use, it may not have been extravagant enough for King Henry VIII - so when he took over the Palace, the Chapel underwent further renovations and remodelling from 1529. It was finished around 1536 when a new timber-vaulted ceiling was inserted, suspended from the queen-post roof above it. The ceiling is believed to have been designed by William Clement, with the richly ornate decoration completed by John Hethe and Henry Blankston. Henry also had new choir-stalls constructed and a new organ and loft installed.

In 1643, during the English Civil War, this organ, along with the stained glass and religious imagery, were all ordered to be removed by Parliamentary troops. It was only refurnished and decorated again in 1662 under King Charles II and his wife Catherine of Braganza. Much of what we see today is the work of successive monarchs. William and Mary had the Chapel remodelled and repaired from 1689-1700, with a new organ installed. Under Queen Anne, the Chapel was renovated once again with new furnishings, fresh painting by James Thornhill, and some repaving with black and white marble. The east windows were also blocked during this period. In the Victorian period, a major restoration programme was completed in 1845-47, which addressed the Chapel roof. By this time, it was more than three hundred years old and in a state of decay. The roof needed to be largely replaced and the ornate ceiling was repaired and redecorated. In the early twentieth century, it was found that the roof once again was in a terrible state due to damage caused by the deathwatch beetle. Emergency repairs and restoration were carried out in 1929 to the Chapel roof and decorative features. Today, the Chapeil remains a place fo worship with an active programme of services and events.