Palace of Westminster: History and Architecture

• The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for the Parliament of the United Kingdom, situated in London.
• Colloquially referred to as the Houses of Parliament, it houses the House of Commons and House of Lords.
• "Westminster" is a metonym for the UK Parliament, the British Government, and the Westminster system of government.
• The Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, is a London and UK landmark.
• Since 1970, the palace is a Grade I listed building and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
• The palace was initially a royal residence built in the 11th century but ceased to be so after a fire in 1512.
• In 1834, a major fire destroyed most of the palace, except for the 12th-century Westminster Hall.
• Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace, opting for a Gothic Revival style.
• Construction began in 1840 and lasted 30 years, facing delays and the deaths of Barry and Augustus Pugin.
• The palace includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch, covering 112, 476 m2.

Early Parliamentary History

• The Curia Regis, a predecessor to Parliament, convened in Westminster Hall during the king's presence.
• The "Model Parliament," deemed the first Parliament of England, assembled at the palace in 1295.
• Medieval parliaments met in different locations, but the palace became the permanent home.
• The palace lacked purpose-built chambers initially, repurposing grand spaces.
• St Stephen's Chapel was adapted for the Commons in the 16th century, while the Lords utilized the Painted Chamber.

Later Alterations

• From the 18th century, the palace underwent significant alterations to address space limitations.
• John Vardy completed new storage and committee rooms in 1770.
• In 1795, a new official residence for the Speaker was completed.
• James Wyatt completed significant alterations and a new building in 1801.
• Sir John Soane oversaw alterations from 1824 to 1827, including new libraries and law courts.

The 1834 Fire and Reconstruction

• On October 16, 1834, a fire erupted due to an overheated stove igniting tally sticks in the House of Lords Chamber.
• Both Houses of Parliament were destroyed, but Westminster Hall was saved.
• Buckingham Palace was offered to Parliament but deemed unsuitable.
• Charles Barry's Perpendicular Gothic Revival design was selected.
• The Lords Chamber finished in 1847, the Commons Chamber in 1852, with overall construction completed in 1870.

World War II and Later Changes

• During WWII, the palace was bombed 14 times.
• A bomb on September 26, 1940, damaged the statue of Richard the Lionheart.
• A major raid on May 10–11, 1941, caused severe damage, including the destruction of the Commons Chamber.
• The Commons Chamber was rebuilt in a simplified style.
• Additional office space was acquired in the Norman Shaw Building (1975) and Portcullis House (2000).
• As of 2018, all MPs have their own office facilities.
• The Palace of Westminster was voted to be vacated in January 2018.
• Renovations will take at least six years and are due to start in 2025.
• The Restoration and Renewal Client Board was formed in September 2022 to oversee the works.

Architectural Style and Stonework

• Charles Barry used the Perpendicular Gothic style, aided by Augustus Pugin.
• Pugin was critical of Barry's symmetrical layout, preferring Tudor details on a classic structure.
• Anston limestone, from South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, was selected for the rebuilt palace.
• Pollution caused rapid decay of the Anston stone, leading to replacement with Clipsham stone from Rutland.
• A stone conservation and restoration program took place between 1981 and 1994.

Towers

• Victoria Tower includes the Sovereign's Entrance at its base, used by the monarch.
• The Parliamentary Archives are inside the tower, holding key documents.
• The Royal Standard flies from the flagstaff when the Sovereign is present.
• Elizabeth Tower, or Big Ben, is 96 meters tall and houses the Great Clock.
• The Great Clock was built by Edward John Dent, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison.
• The Central Tower, at 91 meters, sits above the Central Lobby.
• A ventilation system was added which influenced the building of the tower.
• Other towers include St Stephen's Tower, Speaker's Tower, and Chancellor's Tower. Turrets also mask ventilation shafts.

Gardens

• Victoria Tower Gardens, Black Rod's Garden, Old Palace Yard, Cromwell Green, New Palace Yard, Speaker's Green, and College Green make up the gardens surrounding the Palace of Westminster.
• Only Victoria Tower Gardens and College Green are available to the public.

Interior Layout

• The Palace of Westminster has over 1, 100 rooms, 100 staircases and 4. 8 kilometers of passageways.
• The ground floor houses offices, dining rooms, and bars.
• The first floor includes the debating chambers, lobbies, and libraries.
• The top two floors house committee rooms and offices.
• J. G. Crace collaborated with Pugin and others on the interiors.
• The building is organized around the Central Lobby.
• A suite of rooms known as the Royal Apartments are for the monarch.
• Separate entrances are designated for the monarch, Lords, MPs, and the public.

Key Rooms

• The Sovereign's Entrance leads to the Royal Apartments.
• The Norman Porch contains stained glass windows depicting Edward the Confessor and Queen Victoria.
• The Robing Room is where the Sovereign prepares for the State Opening of Parliament.
• William Dyce painted five frescoes depicting scenes from the King Arthur legend.
• The Royal Gallery serves as the stage for the royal procession at State Openings of Parliament.
• It contains large paintings by Daniel Maclise depicting British military history.
• The Prince's Chamber is an anteroom between the Royal Gallery and the Lords Chamber and features Tudor portraits.
• The Chamber of the House of Lords is lavishly decorated and includes the Throne and the Woolsack.
• The Peers' Lobby is an antechamber with a Tudor rose floor centrepiece.
• The Central Lobby is the heart of the Palace, connecting the two Houses and other key areas.
• Constituents may meet their MPs here, leading to the term lobbying.
• The East Corridor leads to the Lower Waiting Hall and features scenes from Tudor history.

Chamber of the House of Commons

• At the northern end, the chamber opened in 1950.
• The Speaker's Chair, Table of the House, and dispatch boxes are gifts from Commonwealth nations.
• Customary for members of the Government party to occupy benches on the Speaker's right, while those of the Opposition occupy benches on the Speaker's left.
• The British Sovereign does not enter the Chamber of the House of Commons.
• Two red lines on the floor are 2. 5 meters apart, traditionally preventing duels.

Westminster Hall

• Westminster Hall is a medieval great hall and the oldest surviving part of the palace, built in 1097.
• Used for judicial purposes, coronation banquets, and lyings-in-state.
• Features a hammerbeam roof.
• Remodeled by Henry Yevele for Richard II in 1393.

Libraries and Other Amenities

• Contains two suites of libraries on the Principal Floor.
• Includes state apartments for the Speaker and Lord Chancellor.
• Houses the Strangers' Bar, cafeterias, restaurants, a gymnasium, and a hair salon.
• Parliament has two souvenir shops.

Security

• Black Rod and the Serjeant at Arms oversee security for their respective Houses.
• The Parliamentary Security Director is responsible for overall security.
• Concrete blocks were placed in the roadway in 2003.
• An exclusion zone exists on the river.
• The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 restricted protests near the palace.
• Visitors pass through metal detectors and their possessions are scanned.
• Constant police presence is in and around the palace.

Historical Events and Security Incidents

• The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 aimed to destroy the palace and assassinate King James I.
• The execution of Sir Walter Raleigh occurred at the palace in 1618.
• Spencer Perceval was assassinated in 1812, becoming the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated.
• Fenian bombs targeted the New Palace on January 24, 1885.
• A Provisional IRA bomb exploded in Westminster Hall in 1974.
• Airey Neave was assassinated by a car bomb in 1979.
• Politically motivated "direct action" has occurred, including tear gas and manure thrown into the Commons Chamber.
• Security enhancements like a glass screen in the Strangers' Gallery were added.
• Protests have taken place on the roof of the palace related to the Iraq War and Heathrow Airport expansion.
• An Islamist-related terror attack occurred in 2017.
• Environmental protestors glued themselves to the handrail and glass screen during a Brexit debate in 2019.

Customs and Conventions

• Smoking has been prohibited in the House of Commons chamber since the 17th century.
• Members may take snuff instead.
• Men must wear formal attire, women must wear business-like clothing, and slogan T-shirts are prohibited.
• Hats and military decorations are not allowed.
• Members must not have their hands in their pockets.
• Only guide dogs, police dogs, and police horses are allowed.
• Speeches may not be read, and visual aids are discouraged.
• Applause is not normally allowed in the Commons.

Legal and Artistic Significance

• Arrest of a person within the "verges" of the palace isnt allowed: arrests have been effected in the space regardless.
• Claude Monet painted a series of canvasses depicting the Palace of Westminster under various lighting conditions between 1899 and 1901.
• The palace is a World Heritage Site and a Grade I listed building.

Visiting and Access

• Limited casual access is granted to the interior.
• UK residents can obtain tickets from an MP or Lord.
• Queuing for admission is possible when either House is in session.
• Free guided tours are available for UK residents through their MP or a member of the House of Lords.
• Paid-for tours are available during the summer recess and Saturdays.
• Westminster is the nearest London Underground station.

Anniversaries

• In 2015, "Parliament in the Making" celebrated the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and the 750th anniversary of the first representative parliament.

Miscellaneous Information

• Saint Patrick is flanked by Saint Columba and Saint Brigid.
• There have been four fires on the Palace of Westminster site during 2019, and eight in 2018.
• Six statues of the kings placed in niches remain.