Towards an Architecture of Majesty

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Description

This series unlocks the secrets behind some of Britain’s most magnificent buildings, from construction to their impact on a changing society. While fortresses and castles were defense strongholds, palaces have been the residences of bishops and kings as far back as the Romans. In this film, historian Dan Cruickshank traces Tower of London developments from its construction by William the Conqueror to Henry VIII’s reign, during which it acquired a reputation for imprisonment and execution. Included is a discussion of ecclesiastical power during the medieval period, visible in Winchester Palace. He analyzes Hampton Court features that illustrate the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture and explores Tudor era additions, including the Great Hall and kitchens. Royal palace building paused during Elizabeth I’s reign, but her successor James VI displayed classical design ambitions at Stirling Castle. A BBC Production.