Thread: #WestminsterHall
As #QueenElizabethII lies in state. I thought a thread on #WestminsterHall and its history world be interesting.
Built by William II (son of William the Conquereor) in 1099. It was the largest hall in England and possible Europe. 1/18
As #QueenElizabethII lies in state. I thought a thread on #WestminsterHall and its history world be interesting.
Built by William II (son of William the Conquereor) in 1099. It was the largest hall in England and possible Europe. 1/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
The Hall is 73 meters by 20 meters (240ft by 63 ft). Its walls are 2 meters thick and when built was an amazing feet on engineering as the design of the early roof has been a mystery in its early design. 2/18
The Hall is 73 meters by 20 meters (240ft by 63 ft). Its walls are 2 meters thick and when built was an amazing feet on engineering as the design of the early roof has been a mystery in its early design. 2/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
The Kings table which represented #Royal might was made in 1099 and placed in the hall. The table was the seat of power for Kings and Queens and they would be acclaimed by Lords at the table before their coronation at #westminsterabbey 3/18
The Kings table which represented #Royal might was made in 1099 and placed in the hall. The table was the seat of power for Kings and Queens and they would be acclaimed by Lords at the table before their coronation at #westminsterabbey 3/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
For 300 years the Kings table mainly in #WestminsterHall was the seat of power. 17 monarchs used the table including Henry V, Richard I, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Construction was originally made of wood but later purple marble slab added. 4/18
For 300 years the Kings table mainly in #WestminsterHall was the seat of power. 17 monarchs used the table including Henry V, Richard I, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Construction was originally made of wood but later purple marble slab added. 4/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
The English legal system started in the Hall
Under Henry II, a royal ordinance decreed 5 judges should sit in a set place rather than travel with the King for the convenience of litigants.
By 1178, judges sat during the King's absence.
5/18
The English legal system started in the Hall
Under Henry II, a royal ordinance decreed 5 judges should sit in a set place rather than travel with the King for the convenience of litigants.
By 1178, judges sat during the King's absence.
5/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
1215, Magna Carta stipulated common pleas should be held in a fixed place: this was usually Westminster Hall.
The treaty also created 2 separate jurisdictions, 2 separate courts known Common Pleas and King's Bench were formed in the 13th century 6/18
1215, Magna Carta stipulated common pleas should be held in a fixed place: this was usually Westminster Hall.
The treaty also created 2 separate jurisdictions, 2 separate courts known Common Pleas and King's Bench were formed in the 13th century 6/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
The King's Bench used the southern end of the Hall, with the King sitting in the marble chair when he presided, while Commons Pleas was located near the chief door of the Hall on the north. 7/18
The King's Bench used the southern end of the Hall, with the King sitting in the marble chair when he presided, while Commons Pleas was located near the chief door of the Hall on the north. 7/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Many medieval trials took place in the Hall before the Court of King's Bench. Stands were erected for spectators.
2 sorts of trials took place: impeachments, in which Commons acted as prosecutors and Lords as judges, and trials of peers 8/18
Many medieval trials took place in the Hall before the Court of King's Bench. Stands were erected for spectators.
2 sorts of trials took place: impeachments, in which Commons acted as prosecutors and Lords as judges, and trials of peers 8/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
By 1310, the Hall become the base for the Chancery. The Chancery was the chief secretariat of the Crown and was involved in every aspect of the administration; only later did it become a court of law.
9/18
By 1310, the Hall become the base for the Chancery. The Chancery was the chief secretariat of the Crown and was involved in every aspect of the administration; only later did it become a court of law.
9/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Richard II undertook major refurbishment in late 1390s. Adding may of the features that can be seen today. The first event in the refurbished hall was in fact Richard II deposition on 30th September 1399 and subsequent death in Pontefract Castle. 10/18
Richard II undertook major refurbishment in late 1390s. Adding may of the features that can be seen today. The first event in the refurbished hall was in fact Richard II deposition on 30th September 1399 and subsequent death in Pontefract Castle. 10/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
One of the most famous trials in #WestminsterHall was Charles I Jan 1649. Kings have been deposed and murdered, but never before had one been tried and condemned to death whilst still King. After much argument death sentence proclaimed 27 Jan. 11/18
One of the most famous trials in #WestminsterHall was Charles I Jan 1649. Kings have been deposed and murdered, but never before had one been tried and condemned to death whilst still King. After much argument death sentence proclaimed 27 Jan. 11/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
From 1740 onwards major refurbishment took place including improvements to walls and lowering the floor. In Oct 1834 as work was underway a major fire took place destroying much of the House of Lords and Commons but the hall was saved. 12/18
From 1740 onwards major refurbishment took place including improvements to walls and lowering the floor. In Oct 1834 as work was underway a major fire took place destroying much of the House of Lords and Commons but the hall was saved. 12/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
On 10 May 1941 the commons and hall were hit by incendiary bombs. The Hall was saved by Walter Elliot, a former Cabinet minister, who directed the fire service to save the hall. Including smashing a locked door with an axe. 13/18
On 10 May 1941 the commons and hall were hit by incendiary bombs. The Hall was saved by Walter Elliot, a former Cabinet minister, who directed the fire service to save the hall. Including smashing a locked door with an axe. 13/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1305 - Trial of William Wallace
1399 - Richard II deposed
1483 - Richard III last occasion of a king dispensing justice in King's Bench
1509 - Coronation banquet of Henry VIII
14/18
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1305 - Trial of William Wallace
1399 - Richard II deposed
1483 - Richard III last occasion of a king dispensing justice in King's Bench
1509 - Coronation banquet of Henry VIII
14/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1533 - Coronation banquet of Anne Boleyn
1606 - Trial of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators
1641 - Trial of the Earl of Strafford
1649 - Trial of Charles I
15/18
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1533 - Coronation banquet of Anne Boleyn
1606 - Trial of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators
1641 - Trial of the Earl of Strafford
1649 - Trial of Charles I
15/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1769-84 - First political meetings held in the Hall
1788-95 - Trial of Warren Hastings
1806 - Last impeachment in the Hall (of Viscount Melville)
1885 - Fenian bomb exploded in the Hall
16/18
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1769-84 - First political meetings held in the Hall
1788-95 - Trial of Warren Hastings
1806 - Last impeachment in the Hall (of Viscount Melville)
1885 - Fenian bomb exploded in the Hall
16/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1910 - First #Royal lying-in-state Edward VII
1930 - Lying-in-state victims of R101 airship disaster
1936 - George V's lying-in-state
1952 - George VI's lying-in-state
17/18
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1910 - First #Royal lying-in-state Edward VII
1930 - Lying-in-state victims of R101 airship disaster
1936 - George V's lying-in-state
1952 - George VI's lying-in-state
17/18
Thread: #WestminsterHall
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1965 - Winston Churchill's lying-in-state
2002 - Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's lying-in-state
2022 - #QueenElizabethII lying-in-state
18/18
Important historical events in #WestminsterHall
1965 - Winston Churchill's lying-in-state
2002 - Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's lying-in-state
2022 - #QueenElizabethII lying-in-state
18/18
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