The Banqueting House
The Banqueting House is originally the property of Archbishops of York. The Banqueting House was used to provide entertainment for Charles I, and was later the scene of his execution. After the fire that destroyed Whitehall Palace in 1698, it was used as a chapel until 1890. From 1896 until 1962 the Banquteing House was occupied by the Royal United Services Institute and used as a museum. In 1893 Queen Victoria granted the Banqueting House to the neighbouring Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for use as a museum. The main hall was used to display personal items of famous commanders, including the skeleton of Marengo, Napoleon's horse, and trophies of victory, with colours and historic ensigns hung from the galleries; the crypt housed contemporary military exhibits, with a series of 15 dioramas. In 1962 the museum closed and the great south window, previously blocked by the RUSI building, was restored. London open top bus tours enable you to jump on and off the buses and visit London attractions at your leisure.
Every year London host millions of visitors from all around the world and all of them visit London to see the variety that London has. Be amazed by this revolutionary building, the only surviving part of the great palace of Whitehall. Created by Inigo Jones, it was the first in England to be designed in a Palladian style and was finished 1622 for James I. Intended for the splendour and exuberance of court masques, the Banqueting House is probably most famous for one real life drama; the execution of Charles I which took place here in 1649 to the ‘dismal, universal groan’ of the crowd.
Throughout its history the Banqueting House has played host to parliamentary receptions, investitures and ennoblements. All of which took place beneath the breath-taking canvases of Peter Paul Rubens. These magnificent paintings have survived flood, fire and war and it is nothing short of miraculous that you can still enjoy them in their original setting, just as kings and courtiers have done for the past four hundred years. During your visit explore the Undercroft, originally designed as a drinking den for James I and a place where he could escape the rigors of public life.
In its heyday Banqueting House (the only surviving section of Whitehall Palace) was the largest royal palace in Europe and continues to host many royal and social occasions. The palace originally started life in the 14th century as one of the Archbishop of York's homes. A devastating fire in the early 1600s led to the edifice being rebuilt by Inigo Jones. Due to its isolated position, the Banqueting House survived a second subsequent fire, which razed the rest of the palace to the ground and it eventually became a royal chapel. From Henry VIII to James I, the building echoes with royal connections, the most sinister of which has to be hosting the execution of Charles I during the English Civil War. Charles II marked his restoration to the throne here 20 years later. The building is as architecturally significant as it is historically celebrated, introducing as it did a delicate Italianate Renaissance style unmatched in Jacobean society. It was the first building in England to use crown glass in its windows, while the fabulous Ruben's ceiling painting, commissioned by Charles I, is the only Rubens scheme painted by him to remain in its original position. Enjoy these all best of the London tourist activities and make your London holidays a life time memory.