Lambeth Palace

Lambeth Palace, on the Albert Embankment just by Lambeth Bridge, is the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Today,  supporters of the charity, Help for Musicians, had the opportunity to tour the Palace which is actually not very palatial, more a comfortable and well appointed workplace. The main photo is of the Morton's Tower, the gatehouse, which dates from the 1490s. The extra is of the South front of the Palace which dates from the 1830s, the predecessor building having been demolished. Indeed, the building has had a chequered history. The original Palace was demolished in the late 12th century when monks at Canterbury Cathedral, concerned about its threat to their primacy, petitioned the Pope. Later, during the English Civil War in the 1640s, Parliamentary soldiers occupied the Great Hall and badly damaged it. It was also seriously damaged by bombing in the Second World War. The second extra is of the State Drawing Room which, as already mentioned is not at all grandiose. An interesting visit.