Savoy Palace

The Savoy Palace

The Savoy Palace was considered the noblest residence in medieval London until it was destroyed during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.

Though there were many fine palaces within the walls of medieval London, it was considered particularly posh to have one on The Strand . There you could buy properties that were right on the water. This was particularly beneficial because the Thames was much faster than the crowded roads. In addition, this street was far from the stench and social turmoil of the city to the east and the threat of fire.

The Savoy Palace was on the street side of today's Savoy Theater and the Savoy Hotel , which it is named after. Henry III. had given the property to Peter II of Savoy , the Queen's uncle, in 1246. The mansion that was built there became the residence of Prince Edmund Crouchback, 1st Earl of Lancaster and his descendants, the Earls of Lancaster , who lived there during the 14th century. In that century, when the road to the palace was paved, it was also the residence of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster , Richard II's uncle and most powerful man in England. The palace was famous for its rich interior decoration during this period and was considered a symbol of pomp.

Location of the Savoy Palace.

During the Peasants' Revolt under Wat Tyler , the palace was looted and burned down in 1381. The angry mob condemned John of Gaunt for collecting the poll tax , which at the time of the uprising was on a campaign in Scotland. Anything that could not be destroyed or burned was thrown into the river, for it had been predetermined that those who had kept looted property should be killed. The name of the palace is still attached to its location.

Savoy Hospital

Henry VII had the Savoy Hospital built in 1512 for the poor and those in need. It was the most impressive hospital in England at the time and benefited from the permanent medical staff. The hospital closed in 1702 and in the 19th century its remains were removed except for the chapel.

The chapel, The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy , was built until 1512 and was home to several parishes in the area after its time as a hospital chapel . The German Lutheran Congregation in London also used the chapel on royal orders. After the hospital was demolished, the chapel was returned to the Anglican Church.

Today it belongs to the Duchy of Lancaster and is therefore a royal chapel. The monarch leads u. a. the title of Duke of Lancaster. Its original ceiling construction was restored in 1999 and the adjacent garden was redesigned for the Golden Jubilee . It is the seat of the Royal Victorian Order and is open to the public.

At the site of the former Savoy Palace and Savoy Hospital, the Savoy Theater was built in 1881 and today's Savoy Hotel in 1889 ; the hotel forecourt is named Savoy Court.

Coordinates: 51 ° 30 ′ 38 ″  N , 0 ° 7 ′ 13 ″  W.