ST. JAMES’S PALACE
The ground on which St. James’s Palace stood was originally a hospital for lepers, and was in existence years before the Conquest. When it surrendered to Henry VIII, the maiden lepers (being a hospital for women) were pensioned.
The building and grounds were in possession of Eton College, with which the King made an exchange. The building, on coming into possession of the King, was entirely demolished, and upon the same site a magnificent Palace was erected, and was named after the adjoining fields.
The Palace was designed in the Gothic style. In course of time the building has been much altered, and further additions have been made by subsequent sovereigns. A goodly part of the old structure remained until a disastrous fire at the beginning of the last century destroyed nearly the entire fabric. Fortunately, the Clock Tower escaped destruction as also did the famous Gateway, together with the celebrated Chapel Royal, one of the special features of the ancient residence. The Chapel is built of brick, with battlements coped with stone, somewhat after the Gothic fashion; this part is quite ancient, forming the original chapel as it existed in the time of Henry VIII. Some authorities would even ascribe it as part of the old hospice, but this is more than doubtful. Many records exist that during the reigns of Elizabeth and James many theatrical representations were given. In Elizabeth’s reign no special room was set aside for these court performances, but at a later period the Ball Room was generally the scene of action. Several of Shakespeare’s plays are known to have been performed before Charles I and Queen Henrietta.
The famous Children of the Revels performed regularly before Queen Elizabeth, and many are the plays extant, by all the famous Tudor dramatists, in which these children companies acted before private and semi-private audiences.
1623. All Hallows. The play performed was the “Maid of the Mill.” The prince being present only.
1633. On Saturday, the 17th of November, being the Queen’s birthday, “Richard the Third” was acted by the K. players at St. James’s, when the King and Queene were present, “it being the first play the Queene sawe since Her Mrys. delivery of the Duke of York, 1633.”
“1633. On Tuesday night, at Saint James, the 26th of November, 1633, was acted before the King and Queen ‘The Taminge of the Shrew.’ Likt.”
“November 28th, 1633. ‘The Tamer Tamed, or, The Woman’s Prize.’ Very well likt.”
Several other plays were performed at St. James’s Palace by the King’s players.