A £19m Fairytale Palace That Disappeared | What Happened to Nonsuch Palace? Henry VIII’s lost palace

From History Calling

What if I told you Henry VIII built a unique and lavish fairytale palace, worth over £19.3 million today, that was loved by Elizabeth I, but later dismantled by Charles II’s mistress, disappearing forever? Today on History Calling I use original images and first-hand accounts to bring you the fascinating story of the Palace of Nonsuch, a remarkable Tudor residence celebrated for its intricate Renaissance design and royal connections, but ultimately lost to history. Mainly built in the final years of the reign of King Henry VIII, Nonsuch Palace was unlike any other royal palace of its time, thus its name, for there was none such like it. It stood out for its elaborate decorations, detailed carvings, and innovative Renaissance architecture and was a symbol of Tudor ambition and artistic achievement. Elizabeth I was known to have stayed at Nonsuch and greatly enjoyed the palace during her reign. It survived the Tudors, being sold by Mary I in 1556 to Henry FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel then passing to his son-in-law, John, Lord Lumley who completed the building work, then being bought back by Elizabeth I in 1592 and going to the Stuarts, then the Cromwellians before coming back to the royal family once again as a home for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I and mother of Charles II. Her son later gave the palace to his infamous mistress, Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland. Facing financial pressures, Barbara made the decision to have the palace dismantled and sold off piece by piece, erasing much of this unique Tudor landmark from existence. In this video, we explore: 🏰 The story behind Henry VIII’s creation of Nonsuch Palace 👑 Why Elizabeth I cherished her royal retreat at Nonsuch Palace 💔 How Barbara Villiers’ actions led to the destruction of Nonsuch Palace 🔎 What remains of Nonsuch Palace today