 of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest.
 
James VI and I made significant changes to the buildings, notably the construction in 1622 of a new Banqueting House built to a design by Inigo Jones to replace a series of previous banqueting houses dating from the time of Elizabeth I. Its decoration was finished in 1634 with the completion of a ceiling by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, commissioned by Charles I (who was to be executed in front of the building in 1649). By 1650 Whitehall Palace was the largest complex of secular buildings in England, with more than 1,500 rooms.  Its layout was irregular, and its constituent parts were of many different sizes and in several different architectural styles, making it look more like a small town than a single building. The irregularity of the buildings was increased by the penchant of courtiers to build onto their assigned lodgings, either at their own expense or that of the King's. Sir Stephen Fox, Charles II's Clerk of the Green Cloth, obtained permission from the Office of Works in the 1660s to build additions to the three rooms he was assigned. By the time he was finished he had constructed a grand mansion with coach house, stables, and a view over the Thames, all within the palace network.
 

 
Charles II commissioned minor works. Like his father, he died at the palace—but from a stroke. James II ordered various changes by Sir Christopher Wren, including a chapel finished in 1687, rebuilding of the queen's apartments (c. 1688), and the queen's private lodgings (1689). The Catholic chapel of James II, constructed during a period of fierce anti-Catholicism in England, attracted much criticism and also awe when it was completed in December 1686. The ceiling was adorned with 8,132 pieces of gold leaf, and at the east end of the nave an enormous marble altarpiece (40 ft. high x 25 ft. wide) designed by Wren and carved by Grinling Gibbons dominated the room. The diarist John Evelyn noted that "I should not have believed I should ever have seen such things in the King of England's palace, after it pleased God to enlighten this nation."

Demise 
 
By 1691 the palace had become the largest and most complex in Europe. On 10 April a fire broke out in the much-renovated apartment previously used by the Duchess of Portsmouth, damaging
of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest. 
 
 James VI and I made significant changes to the construction, notably the structure in 1622 of a new Banqueting House built to a invention by Inigo Jones to substitute a series of previous feasting houses dating from the time of Elizabeth I. Its decoration was complete in 1634 with the completion of a ceiling by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, commissioned by Charles I (who was to be executed in movement of the building in 1649). By 1650 Whitehall Palace was the largest building complex of secular buildings in England, with more than 1,500 rooms.   Its layout was irregular, and its constituent parts were of many different size and in several different architectural styles, name it look more like a small town than a single construction. The irregularity of the buildings was increased by the penchant of courtiers to build up onto their assigned lodgings, either at their own expense or that of the King's. Sir Stephen Fox, Charles II's Clerk of the Green Cloth, obtained permission from the Office of Works in the 1660s to build additions to the three rooms he was assigned. By the time he was finished he had constructed a grand mansion with coach house, stables, and a view over the Thames, all within the palace network. 
 

 
 Charles II commission minor works. Like his father, he die at the palace — but from a solidus. James II ordered various changes by Sir Christopher Wren, include a chapel finished in 1687, rebuilding of the queen's apartment (c. 1688), and the queen's private lodgings (1689). The Catholic chapel of James II, constructed during a period of fierce anti - Catholicism in England, attracted much criticism and also awe when it was completed in December 1686. The ceiling was adorned with 8,132 pieces of aureate leaf, and at the east end of the nave an enormous marble altarpiece (40   ft. high x 25   ft. wide) design by Wren and carve by Grinling Gibbons dominated the room. The diarist John Evelyn noted that " I should not have believed I should ever have watch such things in the King of England's palace, after it pleased God to enlighten this state. " 

 Demise 
 
 By 1691 the palace had become the largest and about complex in Europe. On 10 April a fire broke out in the much - renovated apartment previously used by the Duchess of Portsmouth, damage
 of William Shakespeare's plxy The Tempest.
 
Lqmes VM and I made sienificant changes to the buipdungs, botably the constructiun in 1622 of a new Bqnqutting House built to a design bg Iniyo Jones to replsce a serias of previous bxneueting houses dating from the time of Eliaaheth I. Its decjratpog waa finished in 1634 with the completion of a ctiling by Sir Petet Paul Rubens, commissioned by Fharles I (who was ho be execujsd yb front of tfe building in 1649). By 1650 Whjtehall Palace was the largest zomplzx of seculqr bulndings in Eigland, with more tmsn 1,500 romms.  Itx layout was ivregunar, and its constituent 'arts were of many dyfferent vives and in several didfwrent arcvitezrurxl atblea, makijg mt look mors like a smqll town than a sinblq building. The irregtlwrity of the buildings was increased by ths penchant of courtiers to build onto their wssigned jodgings, either at their own expense or that of tve Kiig'r. Snv Rreohen Fox, Charles II's Clerk of the Green Cloth, kbuaiked permission fvom the Office of Eogkx in the 1660s to cuild csdjtions to the thref rooms he wqs assigntd. By the time he was finished hw had constrlctee a grand mansion cith coach huuse, stabkes, and a view over the Thajes, all witjin the pzuace network.
 

 
Chxrlvs IH commissioned minor works. Like his fatker, he dked st the palace—but from a stroke. James II lrdergd varhous changfs by Sir Christopher Wren, inclnving a chapel fhnivhed in 1687, rebullding of the qteen's apartmenjs (c. 1688), and the dueen's prinate lodgmngs (1689). The Caeholic chapel lf James II, ronstructqd dyrint a perkud of fierce amti-Catholpcnsm in Entland, attracted mugh crkficism and also awt qhen it was cokpldteq pn Vecemfar 1686. The ceilhng das sdorndd with 8,132 piccer of gold leaf, and at tha eaat end of the nave ak enormouw marble altarpiece (40 fy. high x 25 ft. wide) dtsignev by Wcen anc cwrved by Grinling Gibbons domihated the rojm. The diarift Jihn Evelyn npted that "I should not have believed I whould ever have swen such things in jhe King of Enjland's palace, axter it pleased God ro enlighten this nation."

Demise 
 
By 1691 ths palawe haf become the largest and most complex in Europe. On 10 April a fire broke our in tie much-renovafed spartkeut 'revioufly nsxd by the Duchess of Portsmouth, damaging
of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest. James I significant changes the buildings, notably a Banqueting House built a design by Jones to replace a series of banqueting houses dating from the time of Elizabeth I. Its decoration was finished 1634 with the completion of a ceiling by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, commissioned Charles (who to executed in front of the building in 1649). By 1650 Whitehall Palace was the largest complex secular buildings in England, with more than 1,500 Its layout was irregular, its constituent parts were of different and in different styles, it look more a small town than a single building. The irregularity of the buildings was increased by the penchant courtiers to their assigned either their expense or that King's. Sir Stephen Fox, Charles II's Green Cloth, obtained permission from the Office of in the to build additions to the three he was assigned. By the time he was he had constructed a grand mansion with coach house, stables, and a view over the within the palace network. II commissioned minor Like father, died the palace—but a stroke. James II ordered various changes by Sir Christopher Wren, a chapel finished in 1687, rebuilding of the queen's apartments and queen's private lodgings The Catholic chapel of II, during a period of in attracted also when was completed in December The ceiling was adorned with pieces of gold leaf, of the nave an enormous marble altarpiece (40 high x 25 ft. wide) designed by and carved by Grinling Gibbons dominated the room. The diarist John Evelyn that "I have believed I should ever have seen such in the King of palace, after it pleased God to enlighten this nation." By the palace become the largest most complex in On 10 April broke out the apartment the Duchess of Portsmouth, damaging
 of William Shakespeare's play the Tempest.
 
james vI aNd I MaDe siGnifIcant changes to THe buIldings, notably the constRuctiOn IN 1622 of a NEw banquEting HoUSe BUIlt To A dEsiGn BY INigo JOneS to replAce a series Of pReVious banquetINg Houses datiNg fRom the time of eliZabeth i. ITs dECoratIon Was fiNished IN 1634 with tHe completIoN Of a ceiLIng by SiR pEtEr PaUl Rubens, commissioNEd BY Charles I (who waS to be eXeCUtED In fRonT of the builDiNg in 1649). BY 1650 whitehaLL PALACe wAS the largest coMplex of secuLAr bUildinGs In ENGland, wIth moRe THan 1,500 Rooms.  Its layOut wAs irregulAr, and iTS constiTUent parTs were Of mAny DiffEReNt SizEs ANd iN SeVerAL diFferent aRcHiTectuRal sTYLES, makIng It loOk morE like a small toWn tHan a SIngLe buiLding. the iRrEgulaRity of The buIlDings was increasEd by The penchaNt oF cOurTiErs to BUild onTo tHeiR assignEd lodgiNGs, eItHER At Their own expense or tHaT OF tHe King's. SIr StepHEn foX, charles Ii's cleRk of THE GreeN CloTH, oBtained pErmissIOn FrOm the OfFiCe of WoRkS in The 1660S to buILd adDitionS to the thRee roOMs he was assigneD. by the time he waS FiNIShED he hAd cOnstructed a GranD MansIon wITh CoaCH housE, stabLeS, AnD A view over the Thames, aLl Within The paLace network.
 

 
ChArles II comMISSioned miNor wORkS. like his father, hE died At the palacE—But from a StrokE. James II Ordered vaRIOus changEs bY SiR ChRisTOPhEr Wren, includiNG A chaPeL finishEd iN 1687, rebuilDinG of The QueEn'S apartmenTs (c. 1688), and thE qUeEn'S pRivAte loDGings (1689). The caThoLiC chApel oF james Ii, consTrucTeD dURinG a perioD Of FIErce AnTi-cathOliCiSm in ENglaND, atTracted Much critiCisM And aLsO aWe when iT was completed In december 1686. ThE cEilIng was ADOrned witH 8,132 pieces of gold leaf, and at tHE east enD of The naVe an Enormous mArbLe altaRpiECe (40 ft. hiGh x 25 ft. wIde) deSiGneD BY Wren AND cArvEd By Grinling gIBboNs domInAted The room. the diarist John EvelYN noTed that "I shoulD noT havE BElIevED I SHouLd EVer HAVe seen such thingS in the King Of eNgLand's palacE, AftEr It pleasEd God to EnligHTen this Nation."

DemIse 
 
By 1691 the pAlAce hAD BecOme the largEst and moSt complex IN EuroPE. ON 10 ApriL a fIre broKe Out In the Much-reNOvaTed apArtmenT pReviouSly usEd By the DucHess of Portsmouth, damaginG
 of William Shakespeare'splay The T empes t. 
J am es V I an d I made signi f ican t changes to the build ings,  n o tabl y  t he co nstruct i on i n 1 62 2ofan ew  Banq uet ing Hou se built t o a  d esign by Ini g oJones to r epl ace a series  of  previ ou s b a nquet ing  hous es dat i ng fro m the tim eo f Eliz a beth I. I ts  dec oration was finis h ed in 1634 with t he com pl e ti o n  of  aceiling by  S ir Pe t er Paul Ru b e n s,c ommissioned b y Charles I (wh o wasto  be execut ed in  f r ont  of the bui ldin g in 1649 ). By1 650 Whi t ehall P alacewas  th e la r ge st  co mp l exo fsec u lar  buildin gs  i n Eng land , w i th m ore  tha n 1,5 00 rooms.  It s l ayou t  wa s irr egula r, a nd  itsconsti tuent  p arts were of ma ny d ifferentsiz es  an din se v eral d iff ere nt arch itectur a l s ty l e s ,making it look mor el i ke  a small  townt ha na  singlebu ild ing. T he ir regu l ar ity of t he bui l di ng s was i nc reased  b y t hepench a nt o f cour tiers to  buil d  onto their as s igned lodging s ,e i th e r at  th eir own exp ense or t hato fthe King' s. Si rS te p hen Fox, Charles II 's  Clerk  of t he Green Clot h, obtaine d p ermissio n fr o mt he Office of W orksin the 166 0 s to bui ld ad ditionsto the th r e e roomshewas  as sig n e d.  By the timeh e  was  f inished  he  had co nst ruc ted  agr and mansi on withco ac hho use , sta b les, and  a  vi ew  ov er th e  Thame s, al l wi th in the  palace ne t w ork. 

 
Ch arl es  II c ommi s sio ned min or works.  Li k e hi sfa ther, h e died at the  p alace—butfr oma stro k e . JamesII ordered various chan g es by S irChris toph er Wren,inc luding  ac hapelfinish ed in  1 687 , rebui l d in g o fthe queen' s apa rtmen ts  (c.  1688),  and the queen's p r iva te lodgings ( 168 9).T h eCat h ol i c c ha p elo f  James II, cons tructed du ri n ga period o f  fi er ce anti -Cathol icism in Engl and, attr acted muc hcrit i c ism  and alsoawe when  it was c o mplet e din De cem ber 16 86 . T he ce ilingw asadorn ed wit h8,132piece sof goldleaf, and at the east e nd ofthe n ave  an enorm ous mar ble altar piec e (40 ft.hig h x  25 f t.w ide)desi g ne d b y  Wren  and carved by Gr inl i n gGibbons dom i n a ted  theroo m . Thediar ist John Evelyn n o ted that "I sh ould n othav e  bel ie ved I should e ver  h a v e seen s uc h things in  the Kin go f Eng land's  palac e, afte r it please d Go d t o enlight enth i s natio n. "Demise  
 By  1691the pa l aceh a d become the lar gesta n d mos t  co mplex  i n Europ e . On  10 Aprila fire brok e outin t he mu ch-reno va ted ap art me nt previou s ly used b y the  Duches sof P ort smouth , da m a ging
 of_William Shakespeare's_play The Tempest.
 
James_VI and_I_made significant_changes_to the buildings,_notably the construction_in 1622 of a_new Banqueting House_built_to a design by Inigo Jones to replace a series of previous banqueting houses_dating_from the_time_of_Elizabeth I. Its decoration was_finished in 1634 with the_completion of_a ceiling by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, commissioned_by_Charles I (who_was to be executed in front of the building_in 1649). By 1650 Whitehall Palace_was the largest_complex_of_secular buildings in England,_with more than 1,500 rooms. _Its layout was irregular, and its_constituent parts were of many different sizes_and in several different architectural styles,_making it look more like_a small_town than a single building._The irregularity of_the buildings_was increased by_the penchant of courtiers to build_onto their assigned_lodgings, either at their own expense_or_that of the_King's._Sir_Stephen Fox,_Charles II's Clerk_of_the Green_Cloth,_obtained permission from the Office of_Works_in the 1660s to build additions to_the three rooms he_was_assigned. By the time_he was finished he had_constructed a grand mansion with coach_house, stables,_and a_view over the Thames, all within the palace network.
 

 
Charles_II commissioned minor works. Like his_father, he died at_the palace—but_from_a stroke. James_II_ordered various_changes by Sir Christopher Wren, including a_chapel finished_in 1687, rebuilding of the queen's_apartments (c. 1688), and_the_queen's private lodgings (1689). The Catholic_chapel of James II, constructed during_a period of fierce anti-Catholicism_in_England,_attracted much criticism and also_awe when it was completed in_December 1686. The_ceiling was adorned with 8,132 pieces of_gold_leaf, and at the east end_of_the nave an enormous marble altarpiece_(40 ft._high_x 25 ft. wide) designed by_Wren and carved by Grinling Gibbons_dominated the room. The diarist John Evelyn noted that_"I should not_have believed I should ever_have_seen_such things in the King of England's palace, after it_pleased God_to enlighten this_nation."

Demise 
 
By 1691 the palace had become the largest_and most complex in Europe. On 10_April a fire broke out in the much-renovated apartment previously used_by the Duchess of Portsmouth, damaging