This volume continues the story to the present day with the later history of the palace site in Richmond and of the parks, the development of the Lodge in the Old Deer Park into a royal residence, with its Richmond Gardens, the three palaces at Kew and their gardens and the transformation of these, together with the gardens of Richmond Lodge, into todayâe(tm)s Royal Botanic Gardens. An intriguing chapter is devoted to âe~The Palaces that never were ...âe(tm), the plans, some modest, some grandiose, but never implemented.

Richmond and Kew share a long history as an important royal estate, the site of a succession of palaces and parks from the original manor house and the two medieval royal palaces of Shene to the great Tudor palace in the Old Deer Park. This volume takes the story up to 1660. âeoeMr. Cloake has managed to combine a readable style and over 200 illustrations with scholarly and authoritative research ...âe The Richmond and Twickenham Times

The story of London’s largest Royal Park

Kew Palace, which stands in the world-famous Royal Botonic Gardens in south-west London, is Britain's smallest royal palace and the third building to bear that name. Built in 1631 as a merchant's house, it later became the home of George III. Queen Charlotte and their large family, and a private place of recuperation for the so-called 'mad' king during his illness. Around the palace, the eighteenth-century royal pleasure grounds gradually evolved into the world's centre for botanical study, shaped by Charles Bridgeman, 'Capability' Brown and others and adorned with important garden buildings by William Chambers.

After some forty years of research the author has meticulously analysed the development of a small village and even smaller hamlet into the prosperous new town of today through detailed accounts of the dwellings and their occupants at many key dates. The holdings of land are analysed to show how the original strip system consolidated into significant estates ... the development of local government, the trades of the work people, the early schools, even public houses are examined, using a mass of material ... and a wealth of illustrations and maps.

The Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy provides a chronology starting with the year 495 and continuing to the present day, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and over 600 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, places, events, institutions, and other aspects of British culture, society, economy, and politics. This book is a must for anyone interested in the British monarchy.