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SOMERSET HOUSE

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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.

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[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)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 1/1056 1911

( 2) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 1/1056 1916

( 3) by H M Colvin ... [et al] 1982 The history of the King's Works, volume 4 : 1485-1660 (Part 2)

Page(s)252-71

( 4) by H M Colvin et al 1976 The history of the King's Works, volume 5 : 1660-1782

Page(s)254-9

( 5) General reference

Bates L M 1967, Somerset House

( 6) London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society

W Godfrey 10, 1922 Page(s)216-9

( 7) General reference

Home Counties Magazine, 1 (1899) (W H Jacob)

( 8) General reference

Tipping H A 1924, English Homes, period 2 vol 1 1ii-1ii, fig lxvi

(9) edited by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert 1983 The London encyclopeadia

Page(s)818-9

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