King's House, Winchester facts for kids
The King's House was a huge royal palace planned for Winchester, a city in Hampshire, England. It was meant to be built in the late 1600s. Winchester used to be a very important city, even the capital of Wessex and England during Anglo-Saxon times. But after the Norman Conquest of England, it became less important.
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The King's House: A Royal Dream
What Was the King's House?
The King's House was going to be a grand royal palace for King Charles II of England. It was planned to be built in Winchester, a historic city. The palace was designed to replace the old castle and would have had amazing views. It was also meant to have beautiful gardens and pathways leading down to the famous cathedral.
Who Built It and Why?
King Charles II of England wanted a new royal home outside of London. He chose the city of Winchester for this project. The famous architect Sir Christopher Wren was in charge of building the King's House. Construction started in 1683 and continued until 1685. The design of the King's House was inspired by the incredibly grand Palace of Versailles in France, though it was planned to be a bit smaller.
Why Was It Never Finished?
Even though the main structure of the King's House was completed, the project ran into problems. The money needed to finish the palace eventually ran out. King Charles II was getting older, and he famously told Sir Christopher Wren that "a year is a great time in my life" when Wren promised it would be done quickly. Sadly, King Charles II died in February 1685. After his death, the project was completely stopped and never finished.
What Happened to It?
The King's House stood unfinished for many years. Unfortunately, a big fire broke out in the building in 1894. The fire badly damaged the palace, and it was later pulled down.
What's There Now?
Even though the King's House is gone, parts of it were saved. Some of the decorative stone and columns were used again in a new building. This new building, called the Peninsula Barracks, was built in 1900. Today, the Peninsula Barracks is home to Winchester's Military Museums, where you can learn about military history.
