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Recently we've shared the people, stories, and secret histories behind 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. See what you've learned in our quiz! ⬇️
(🤫 Psst: No one sees your choices, so don't worry about getting it wrong! We'll be back with answers later.)
#Westminster150
(🤫 Psst: No one sees your choices, so don't worry about getting it wrong! We'll be back with answers later.)
#Westminster150
1. Which duo built the Palace of Westminster 150 years ago?
2. How was the Great Fire of 1834 started?
Where the original Palace of Westminster went [THREAD]
We talk a lot about 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. But surely Parliament's older than that?
It is - much older. So why is the Palace only 150?
This is the story of the Great Fire which burned down the Palace ⬇️
We talk a lot about 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. But surely Parliament's older than that?
It is - much older. So why is the Palace only 150?
This is the story of the Great Fire which burned down the Palace ⬇️
It's 1834, and the Palace of Westminster looks like this.
The Exchequer needs to get rid of two carts of wooden tally sticks - remnants of an old accounting system.
When given the job, the Clerk of Works decides to burn these in underfloor stoves beneath the @UKHouseofLords.
The Exchequer needs to get rid of two carts of wooden tally sticks - remnants of an old accounting system.
When given the job, the Clerk of Works decides to burn these in underfloor stoves beneath the @UKHouseofLords.
The morning of the 16th of October, two workmen arrive at the Palace to burn the sticks.
That afternoon, visitors notice heat and smoke seeping from the @UKHouseofLords floor. But the workmen finish, put out the furnace by 5pm, and the Palace is locked for the night.
That afternoon, visitors notice heat and smoke seeping from the @UKHouseofLords floor. But the workmen finish, put out the furnace by 5pm, and the Palace is locked for the night.
This summer we're celebrating 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. But how well do you really know this iconic building? 🤔
Read on to discover all the secret places hidden throughout the Palace...
#Westminster150
©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
Read on to discover all the secret places hidden throughout the Palace...
#Westminster150
©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
Let's start in Westminster Hall, where we find our first treasure high up in the walls. 🧱
Inside the box is part of the original Norman wall of Westminster Hall, left uncovered when the rest of the walls were restored after the Great Fire of 1834.
©UK Parliament/Mark Duffy
Inside the box is part of the original Norman wall of Westminster Hall, left uncovered when the rest of the walls were restored after the Great Fire of 1834.
©UK Parliament/Mark Duffy
This broom cupboard in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft is where suffragette Emily Wilding-Davison made history by hiding on the night of the 1911 census.
When found, she gave her address as the @HouseofCommons and was listed as head of household!
©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
When found, she gave her address as the @HouseofCommons and was listed as head of household!
©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
This year marks 150 years of the Palace of Westminster as we know it today - but there's a lot you might not know about this magnificent building.
This is the secret history of by who, how and why the Palace was rebuilt 150 years ago ⬇️ #Westminster150
This is the secret history of by who, how and why the Palace was rebuilt 150 years ago ⬇️ #Westminster150
The morning of 16 October 1834, two workmen arrived at the Palace of Westminster. They'd been ordered to burn two cartloads of wooden sticks in stoves in the @UKHouseofLords basement.
By 6pm, a great fire had swept through the Palace, destroying both of the Houses of Parliament.
By 6pm, a great fire had swept through the Palace, destroying both of the Houses of Parliament.
The Palace was ruined. It needed rebuilding - so in 1836, there was a public competition to redesign the Palace of Westminster. The winner was Charles Barry, a Westminster-born architect.
Construction started in 1840, and in 1870 the Palace was completed - 150 years ago.
Construction started in 1840, and in 1870 the Palace was completed - 150 years ago.
