Early in the medieval period, when kings spent much of their time travelling around their kingdoms, they built palaces and fine houses all over England. When the government began to settle in London, various royal palaces were built there.
Henry VIII significantly increased the number of London palaces by acquiring them from courtiers (Whitehall and Hampton Court, for example), converting dissolved religious houses (Syon House), or building new ones (Nonsuch). Nonsuch was one of the finest of Henry’s houses, richly decorated in gilded slate and moulded stucco. He spent a huge sum on its construction.
