For sheer scale and the incredibly significant events that have taken place within its walls, Westminster Hall is one of the most astonishing spaces in London.
I recently went on a preview tour of the Elizabeth Tower and afterwards had a wander around Westminster Hall.
A Very Brief History Of The Palace of Westminster
The first Palace of Westminster was constructed for Edward the Confessor in the 1040s and 50s. It was rebuilt and added to over the course of the medieval period and onwards.
The Palace of Westminster was the primary royal residence until 1512 when a fire destroyed much of the residential part of the palace. It later became home to the two Houses of Parliament: the Commons and the Lords.
Most of the palace was destroyed again in another huge fire in 1834 and rebuilt to the designs of Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin.
Remarkably, due to a change in wind direction and the heroic efforts of the firefighters, Westminster Hall managed to survive the fire. It is the oldest part of palace today.
Click here for my blog post on the Jewel Tower, another surviving part of the medieval Palace.
A Hall Fit For A King
Westminster Hall was built from 1097-99 in the reign of William II, son of William the Conqueror.
Measuring 240ft by 67 ft, it was, most likely, the largest hall in Europe at the time of its construction, designed to impress the King’s subjects. The stone walls are 6ft thick and curve, meaning that it is about 2.5ft wider in the middle.
The hall has been the scene for some of the most extraordinary events in the country’s history, including the first English Parliament in 1265, the show trial of William Wallace in 1305 and the trial of King Charles I in 1649.
From 1189-1821 it was also the location for the coronation banquet, directly after the crowning of the monarch.
Here are seven details to look out for if you visit, with details at the bottom of how you can.
1. The Mind-blowing Hammer-beam Roof
The first sight that will grab your attention when you enter the hall is the incredible hammer-beam roof. Commissioned in 1393 by King Richard II when he remodelled the hall, it is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe.
It was framed near Farnham in Surrey and then all 660 tons of it was transported on wagons and barges to Westminster to be assembled.
On the ends of each beam you can see carved angels, holding shields displaying the royal coat of arms of that period. It depicts the fleur de lys of France and the 3 royal lions of England.
2. Royal Symbols
All around the hall also look out for the personal emblem of Richard II: the white hart.
You will also see the white harts on the staircase in the centre as well.
Rather unfortunately for Richard II, after all this remodelling the first major event to take place in his newly designed hall was his own deposition in 1399.
3. Six Medieval Statues
One of the other changes that Richard II made was to commission 13 statues, made of Reigate stone, of all the kings of England from Edward the Confessor to himself.
You can see six surviving statues today on the South wall of the hall today, in niches.
4. The Plaques On The Floor
On the floor are a number of easily-missed brass plaques, commemorating events that have taken place in the hall.
There is a plaque, for example, to the fact that it was here, on the 1st July 1535, that Sir Thomas More was condemned to death.
There are also plaques to show where various monarchs and figures bodies lay in state. George VI and the Queen Mother, Sir Winston Churchill and, of course, Queen Elizabeth II.
5. A Green Bench
There is a section of green bench so that you can pretend you’re an MP (should you want to…)!
6. The War Memorial
At the far end of the hall there is a memorial to members of both houses, or their staff, who died in World War One and above a stained glass window to those that died in World War Two.
7. St Stephen’s Hall
Ok this is not inside Westminster Hall, but it is absolutely also worth looking inside St Stephen’s Hall, that leads from Westminster Hall to the chambers of the Houses of Parliament.
St Stephen’s Hall is part of the Palace that was rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1834. It was conceived as a ‘National Valhalla’; lined with statues of famous Parliamentarians and paintings of dramatic events from Britain’s history.
How To Visit
Anyone can visit Westminster Hall when Parliament is sitting. You can watch debates in the chambers, PMQ’s on Wednesdays or book onto one of their guided tours. Find out more about visiting here.
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Thanks for your great article — I have a tour booked for 1 July to inspect the above and am very much looking forward to it.
Heading over from Australia for a visit and very annoyed at myself for not booking fast enough for your walks on 2 July. Next best thing though, I have your lovely book and will be doing the self-guided walks as well as keeping my eyes peeled for all the amazing sights you document. Thank you for your enthusiasm in sharing your town and its history with us.