The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, serves as the meeting place for the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Old Palace was a medieval building that was destroyed by fire in 1834. After the fire, a competition was held for architects to submit plans for the new building that should be in a Gothic or Elizabethan style hoping to embody the conservative values of England. A Royal commission chose Charles Barry’s designs for a Perpendicular Gothic palace. Barry’s
Contradictions shown in Westminster Palace The carvings and sculptures on the front of Westminster Palace consist of many beautiful aspects of life, such as birds, flowers, and trees. These beauty-related carvings are contrasted by the gargoyles adorning the top of the walls (Foley 185-186). Gargoyles are ugly, vicious looking creatures viewed as a representation of evil among the church and society. The stone carvings on the facade of Westminster Palace are indicative of the contradictions present
had such amazing structures erected. Gothic structures had a tendency to be very tall, light walls, towering structures and with large widows, a lot of light could flow in, giving a strong sense of happiness and godliness. Many town halls castles, palaces, and guild halls were structured in such fashions all over the European continent. Gothic styles are most remembered for the churches and cathedrals which overlook over some European cites. Although it was not as common, some people actually had the
Buckingham Palace is best known as a residence of the British monarchs located in the City of Westminster. Today, the palace is the administrative headquarters of the Monarchs. It was originally built for the Duke of Buckingham in the early 18th century and has been in a private ownership for at least 150 years. However, during the 19th century, the Palace was enlarged by two British architects, John Nash and Edward Blore. Only few additions to the Palace were made in the late 19th and early 20th
enshrined in the laws throughout the system. Moreover, it also must be in accordance with customary law and principles of birth right. There is a condition of belonging to the Church of England and the composition of its prescribed promise of a Westminster Abbey. During the development of the political system, the tasks and the competences of the monarch were limited. Currently, the competencies are more or less formal, but they intervene in all aspects of power. Even though, the Queen Elizabeth
the clock is astonishing; there are 312 pieces of glass in just each clock dial. The clock tower can be found on the northern extremity of the new Houses of Parliament that were built next to Westminster Hall (The History). Afterwards, Big Ben was commissioned during the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster in the wake of an 1834 fire. The Parliament wanted to make and addition to the city, an impressive clock tower. The clock tower was to be named Big Ben, after Sir B... ... middle of paper
In September of 1940 through May of 1941 there was a strategic bombing attack that was lead by the Germans targeted towards London and other cities located in England, this was known as The Blitz. The Germans aimed the bombs mostly at populated cities, dock yards, and factories. The bombing on London began on September 7, 1940 and lasted for 57 consecutive nights. During these nights of bombing people took shelter in warehouse basements, and in underground subway stations with no privacy and
During the opening years of the seventeenth century, Europe was gripped by Reformation and Counter-Reformation, when Catholics and Protestants persecuted one another with equal fervour. England was ruled by a Protestant regime, and in 1605 a group of oppressed Catholic landowners hatched a plot to kill the king, James I, during the state opening of parliament on 5 November. The plan, conceived by the Midland Catholics Robert Catesby and Thomas Wyntour, was to blow up the Houses of Parliament with
The Westminster Abbey, previously known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster is a major historical landmark in Brittan. This “Royal Peculiar” has been around for approximately over 900 years, throughout which it had undergone several renovations and reconstructions, leading to the present gothic style it possesses. It functions as the site of burial and coronation of both British and English monarchs. Throughout time the hall had been at center of wars and controversy leading to renovations
The House of Lords is the upper, unelected house of the Houses of Parliament, according to the Westminster model. It consists of Life Peers who are appointed; Hereditary peers who inherited their seats; and Lords Spiritual whoa re important members of the Church of England. They have roles in scrutiny and accountability and also legislation. This essay will discuss the functions of the House of Lords and evaluate whether it should be abolished or not. This will be achieved by addressing its role
N0637984 Reform of Parliament. Introduction: Since 1997 the topic of parliamentary reform has been high on the political agenda. In 2010 the focus was on the House of Lords reform, however since then there has been a shift of focus to the House of Commons, though the Lords reform still remains a significant issue. A recent YouGov poll commissioned by Unlock Democracy found that ‘69% of voters support a reformed House of Lords’(2012). In 1999 the Labour government reduced the number of hereditary
House of lords, the second chamber in Parliament. There are currently 75 bicameral legislatures all over the world, whose constitutions were influenced by United Kingdom. In United Kingdom, House of Lords be considered as the symbol of undemocratic, there is a long discussion about reform of House of Lords. This essay will describe Hose of lords reform, past and future. Reform of the House of lords is the core issues of government’s program of constitutional change. In 1997 general election, Tony
An infamous terrorist, a vigilante crime fighter, and a group of anti-censorship activists, three very different things, but with a single commonality that intertwines them: The Guy Fawkes Mask. From an attempt to blowing up Parliament, to a man fighting the chains of fascism, to a group intent on keeping information free, this mask has symbolized movements across the globe for centuries, and that is exactly why its history is so tantalizing. The Guy Fawkes mask has had a long and notable past of
British statesman and colonial administrator, also asserted that the Empire’s “bounds nature has not yet ascertained.” When considering the significance of the Palace of Westminster, London in British imperial history, this statement could not ring truer. The House of Commons and the House of Lords meet within the Palace of Westminster, and it was within these democratic buildings that many of the most controversial aspects of the Empire were decided, discussed and debated. Whether this be over
Natural heritages include beach or canyon etc. Whereas, cultural heritages include historic sites like palaces, churches etc. Westminster palace is the example of cultural heritage site too. Cultural heritage includes not only the tangible elements but it includes intangible elements too. This means just like artefacts and buildings, music, art and beliefs are the part of
In 1834, when a fire nearly completely demolished the old Palace of Westminster, Britain had a chance to redefine what British architecture was (Richardson p. 111-112). Although throughout Europe Classicism and the Greek and Roman Revival had had a stronghold on secular buildings, by the early 1800 Neo-Gothic was starting to be seen as a nationalistic style of architecture, something that should, together with language, be national (Barry, p.114). While in France the Gothic Revival was mainly used
Westminster Abbey has played many roles throughout history. Most importantly, it is has been used as the coronation church since 1066 (westminsterabbey.org). Every king from that point on was crowned at Westminster Abbey, except the two kings who were never crowned (Hutchinson). The abbey also had numerous other uses throughout its history. Not only does Westminster Abbey play an important role in British history, but it also is truly a masterpiece. There is no exact date for the founding of this
Westminster Abbey has played many roles throughout history. Most importantly, it has been used as the coronation church since 1066 (westminsterabbey.org). Every King and Queen of England from that point on was crowned at Westminster Abbey, except the two Kings who were never crowned, Edward V and Edward VIII (Hutchinson). The abbey had numerous uses throughout its history. Not only does Westminster Abbey play an important role in British history, but it is also truly a masterpiece. There is no exact
stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History/Explore-the-Cathedral [Accessed: 25th January 2014] Buckingham Palace – The British Monarchy (2009) History. [Online] Available from: http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BuckinghamPalace/History.aspx [Accessed: 2nd February 2014] Palace of Westminster (2013) Architecture of the Palace. [Online] Available from: http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/architecture/ [Accessed: 24th February 2014] Ronca, D. (2012) How the London Eye Works. HowStuffWorks
Queen Elizabeth had many different palaces, many workers for the palaces, and the many responsibilities of the workers. All the queen’s palaces were extremely ravishing with many embellishments inside the palaces. Lastly, the queen’s palaces had many interesting activities that took place in form entertainment in the palaces. Queen Elizabeth owned fifty houses and sixty castles in total but, "Elizabeth had 14 palaces in regular use at her disposal as well as numerous "stately homes" throughout England