The Palace of Placentia – Birthplace of two Queens

Nothing now remains of The Palace Of Placentia – built in 1443 by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester – on the banks of the River Thames.

Photo by Moniek Bloks

It was then taken over by King Henry VI’s Queen Margaret of Anjou who gave it the name Palace of Placentia. King Henry VII rebuilt the palace between 1498 and 1504. It was the birthplace of his second son, the future King Henry VIII, and his granddaughters Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary I. It was also the site of King Henry VIII’s ill-fated marriage to Anne of Cleves.

Photo by Moniek Bloks

Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair during the English Civil War and after the restoration, King Charles II decided to rebuild the palace. Only one section of this was completed but this was never occupied. The rest of the palace was demolished.

The Greenwich Hospital (which is now the Old Royal Naval College) was built on the site and there is just this marker to remember the magnificent palace that once stood here.

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