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Palaces of Revolution

Life, Death and Art at the Stuart Court

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Palaces of Revolution

By: Simon Thurley
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The story of the Stuart dynasty is a breathless soap opera played out in just a hundred years in an array of buildings that span Europe from Scotland, via Denmark, Holland and Spain to England.

Life in the court of the House of Stuart has been shrouded in mystery: the first half of the century overshadowed by the fall and execution of Charles I, the second half in the complete collapse of the House itself. Lost to time is the extraordinary contribution the Stuarts made to the fabric of sovereignty.

Every palace they built, painting they commissioned, or artwork they acquired was a direct reflection of the lives that they led and the way that they thought. Palaces of Revolution explores this rich history in graphic detail, giving a unique insight into the lives of this famous dynasty. It takes us from Royston and Newmarket, where James I appropriated most of the town centre as a sort of rough-and-ready royal housing estate, to the steamy Turkish baths at Whitehall where Charles II seduced his mistresses. We see the intimate private lives of the monarchs, presented through the buildings in which they lived and the objects they commissioned, creating an entirely new narrative of the Stuart century.

Palaces of Revolution traces this extraordinary period across the places and palaces on which the action played out, giving us a thrilling new history of this remarkable dynasty.

 Architecture Art Europe Great Britain Home Design & Renovation House & Home Religious Studies Royalty Scotland England Construction Architecture
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Critic reviews

‘Simon Thurley may be congratulated on a splendid achievement, which serves several different branches of history at once, as well as those who appreciate a clear and lively literary style … An important addition to knowledge’ Ronald Hutton, Times Literary Supplement
‘A hugely impressive, readable book that covers its broad canvas with assurance … Thoughtfully illustrated and furnished with plans of the buildings, itself a huge accomplishment.’ John Goodall, Country Life
‘In his admirably readable new book, Simon Thurley, who probably knows more about the palaces of the 16th and 17th centuries than anyone alive, has written a chronological survey of the royal residences of the Stuarts, a period of just over 100 years. You almost can read it as an alternative history of the dynasty … Lively and authoritative’ Andrew Taylor, The Times
‘Palaces of Revolution is far more than just a history book … The author’s knowledge … is unprecedented, elevating the historical survey into an alternative reading of the Stuart Dynasty … one only has to read this book to hear the walls talking. From secret seductions to fierce fighting, Thurley writes with great detail, invigorating the historical narratives we know and presenting new stories’ The Scottish Field
‘There can be few as well-placed to write about the buildings associated with the Stuart monarchy as Simon Thurley … This book – engagingly written and beautifully illustrated – is a comprehensive account of those achievements, and of the role that buildings played in the political life of early modern Britain.’ Historic House magazine
‘The culmination of nearly 30 years of research, [Palaces of Revolution] takes us back in time to bring these “hollow citadels of ceremony” and those who occupied them to life once again.’ Apollo
All stars
Most relevant
That Stuart gap in between Elizabeth Tudor and German George is now clearer for me!
Actually enjoyed the family story told through their buildings.

"Building" my knowledge of Royals

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I first became interested in the history of the Stuarts when my mum bought me The illustrated Pepys as a child. Later, having read the diaries in their entirety, I was hooked. I'm also fascinated in the history of British architecture so this book really satisfied on both fronts.

Although the reign of the Stuarts is not my favourite architecturally - I'm more Westminster Abbey than St. Paul's - their contribution to our architectural heritage is undeniable. Just as interesting as the buildings that still stand, or have been lost, are the grand schemes never built - or never completed - due to lack of funds, or the death of the patron. Simon Thurley tells the story of these projects, set against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent centuries politically in British history. At the beginning of the book the seat of power lies directly around the monarch and the space he inhabits. By the end the seat of power is in Parliament.

I managed to listen to this book in a couple of days. As anyone who has listened to Simon Thurley's Gresham College Lectures, or read his others books, will know he is a very agreeable companion to while away the hours with, and learn some very interesting things along the way.

The missing book from my collection about the Stuarts.

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An intriguing Subject. I found it difficult to concentrate on. Narrative style? Writing style? Uncertain, though on reflection I do find Dr.Thurley's voice irritating. Which is odd because I have watched him on TV and haven't found his voice annoying, though thinking about it while I admire Sir Derek Jacobi as an Actor on Film, TV and Stage I really don't like his voice in his Sherlock Holmes recordings and find it quite offputting.

Intriguing Subject

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