Richmond palace

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Richmond palace began as a manor house at Sheen (Surrey) and was much used by Edward III, who died there. Henry V restored it and, after a disastrous fire in 1497, Henry VII rebuilt it on the grand scale, giving it his own title of Richmond. Mary used it frequently and Elizabeth died there, but during the civil wars it fell into decay. Only the lodge remained, used in the 18th cent. by George II and Caroline, Frederick and Augusta, and George III and Charlotte. Ambitious plans by George III to build a new Gothic palace, employing James Wyatt, were abandoned after his death. The present Kew palace, built privately in 1631, was known as the Dutch House. It was used as a royal nursery and private retreat and Charlotte died there in 1818.

J. A. Cannon

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Richmond palace

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Richmond palace