HAMPTON COURT 57 



in debased classic style. Among Wren's papers were found 

 plans showing that it was at one time intended to pull down 

 very nearly all the old Tudor buildings on the north and west 

 sides of the palace, as was actually done on the south and east, 

 and replace them with new wings and a large courtyard, 

 having the principal entrance in the north front. The famous 

 Lion Gate is the only part of this great scheme carried into 

 effect on the south side of the road to Kingston. 



During the destruction of the eastern part of the palace, 

 and its rebuilding by Wren, William was frequently called 

 away to London, Ireland or Holland. Mary, in his absence, 

 supervised the work ; and lived in the old Water-gallery, 

 where Elizabeth had been imprisoned by her sister nearly one 

 hundred and forty years before. Mary was fond of gardening, 

 and introduced many rare and exotic plants hitherto unknown 

 in England. She appointed as her head gardener for their 

 cultivation Dr. Plunkenet, a noted herbalist. She continued 

 to spend much time at Hampton Court and gave very close 

 attention to every detail of the works in progress. But she 

 died in 1694, and as Switzer writes, " Upon the death of that 

 illustrious Princess, gardening and all other pleasures were 

 under an eclipse with that Prince ; and the beloved Hampton 

 Court lay for some time unregarded." 



The fire which destroyed Whitehall in 1698, turned 

 William's mind once more to Hampton Court. Soon after 

 that great calamity, building, decorating and ornamenting 

 were carried on with characteristic vigour. To this date 

 belong the magnificent iron gates, designed by Jean Tijou,^ 

 and executed by Huntingdon Shaw of Nottingham. They 

 were removed in 1865, but, after many protests, were happily 

 replaced among their original surroundings ten years ago. 

 In the first year of the eighteenth century a great terrace, 

 with a bowling green and four pavilions at its further end, 

 was constructed alongside the Thames. And in this or the 



^ That Jean Tijou designed these superb specimens of ironwork is one of many 

 interesting facts rescued from oblivion by Mr. Law during his careful research into the 

 history of Hampton Court. 



H 



