SOMERSET HOUSE
Old Somerset House, sometimes called Denmark House, in honour of the Queen of James the First, was situated in the Strand on the same site as the modern Somerset House. This palace was built by the great Duke of Somerset called the Protector; he was the ill-fated brother of Jane Seymour. In the erection of this building many well known palaces and houses were demolished, including the palaces of the Bishops of Worcester, Chester, Llandaff, Lichfield, also the Strand Inn and the Parish Church of St. Mary’s. The great Duke never lived to see his magnificent house completed; arrested on a charge of high treason, he was beheaded in 1552. The Palace, when finished, was frequently the residence of Queen Elizabeth, and in later years was inhabited by the Queens of Charles I and Charles II. This palace was not the favourite residence of Elizabeth, she preferring the more fashionable quarters of Whitehall and St. James’s. Old Somerset House was pulled down in 1776, and the present building was commenced under the superintendence of the architect, Sir William Chambers. Old Somerset House consisted of one large and principal quadrangle, called the Upper Court, facing the Strand. In the southern front of the quadrangle were the Guard Chambers, with a waiting room. The Privy Chamber and the Presence Chamber from the west end of which a flight of stone steps led down into the garden, on the western side. In the south-east angle were situated the private apartments of the Queen. Facing the Strand was a variety of other buildings occupied by members of the Court, also the Yellow Room, the Cross Gallery, and the Long Gallery, this last, no doubt, being the chamber where plays and masques were held. These entertainments attracted a vast throng of courtiers and their friends, especially on those nights when the King and Queen attended in person.
THE
PASSIONATE
LOVERS,
A
TRAGI-COMEDY.
The First and Second Parts.
Twice presented before the KING and
QUEENS Majesties at Somerset-House,
and very often at the Private House in
Black-Friars, with great Applause,
By his late MAJESTIES Servants.
Written by
LODOWICK CARLELL, Gent.
LONDON,
Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be
sold at his shop at the sign of the Prince’s Arms
in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1655.
(Original Image)
1585. Three plays in One. “This play should have been shewed before her highness on Shrovesundie at night, but the Queen came not abroad that night. Tarlton, the celebrated clown and jester of Queen Elizabeth, wrote a play in two parts called ‘The seven Deadly Sins.’ Three plays in one may have been the first part.”
1585. “An Antic play and a Comedy. This play was given at Somerset Place at night, the Queen being present.”
1634. “The Shepherdess.” “On Monday night, the sixth of January and the Twelfth Night, was presented at Denmark House, before the King and Queen, Fletcher’s pastorall, called ‘The Faithful Shepherdesse’ in the clothes the Queen had given Taylor the yeare before of her owne pastorall.” The scenes were fitted to the pastorall and made by Mr. Inigo Jones in the great chamber, 1633.
Denmark House is another name for Somerset House, also called Somerset Place. After spending a whole afternoon in searching for a reference to Denmark House without any result, I made repeated enquiries, which were fruitless. Eventually, after further research, the desired information was forthcoming.