Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
What if I told you Henry VIII built a unique and lavish fairytale palace, worth over £19.3 million today, that was loved by Elizabeth I, but later dismantled by Charles II’s mistress, disappearing forever? Today on History Calling I use original images and first-hand accounts to bring you the fascinating story of the Palace of Nonsuch, a remarkable Tudor residence celebrated for its intricate Renaissance design and royal connections, but ultimately lost to history.
Mainly built in the final years of the reign of King Henry VIII, Nonsuch Palace was unlike any other royal palace of its time, thus its name, for there was none such like it. It stood out for its elaborate decorations, detailed carvings, and innovative Renaissance architecture and was a symbol of Tudor ambition and artistic achievement. Elizabeth I was known to have stayed at Nonsuch and greatly enjoyed the palace during her reign.
It survived the Tudors, being sold by Mary I in 1556 to Henry FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel then passing to his son-in-law, John, Lord Lumley who completed the building work, then being bought back by Elizabeth I in 1592 and going to the Stuarts, then the Cromwellians before coming back to the royal family once again as a home for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I and mother of Charles II. Her son later gave the palace to his infamous mistress, Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland. Facing financial pressures, Barbara made the decision to have the palace dismantled and sold off piece by piece, erasing much of this unique Tudor landmark from existence.
In this video, we explore:
🏰 The story behind Henry VIII’s creation of Nonsuch Palace
👑 Why Elizabeth I cherished her royal retreat at Nonsuch Palace
💔 How Barbara Villiers’ actions led to the destruction of Nonsuch Palace
🔎 What remains of Nonsuch Palace today
If you’re fascinated by Tudor history, lost palaces, royal intrigue, and the legacies of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, this video is a must-watch.
BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG
Join my mailing list (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): historycallingofficial.com
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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
History of Buckingham Palace
youtu.be/ZRbvcoeX06g
Inside the Royal Yacht Britannia
youtu.be/rieXIfgeluY
LEARN MORE
Nonsuch Palace - The Material Culture of a Noble Restoration Household (2005).
archive.org/details/oapen-20.500.12657-45822/page/1/mode/1up
GEAR USED
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Blue Yeti Microphone: amzn.to/3FgEDYq
Go-Pro Hero 13 camera: amzn.to/41H4Xnt
GoPro 3-Way 2.0 (Tripod/Grip/Arm): amzn.to/3vaVxjU
Memory Card: amzn.to/3KeLZZs
DJI Drone: amzn.to/39hROZm
NB: Links above may be affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission. It in no way affects the price you pay.
Open Street Map copyright information
openstreetmap.org/copyright
Creative Commons licenses used see creativecommons.org/licenses
#NonsuchPalace #PalaceOfNonSuch #LostPalace
What if I told you Henry VIII built a unique and lavish fairytale palace, worth over £19.3 million today, that was loved by Elizabeth I, but later dismantled by Charles II’s mistress, disappearing forever? Today on History Calling I use original images and first-hand accounts to bring you the fascinating story of the Palace of Nonsuch, a remarkable Tudor residence celebrated for its intricate Renaissance design and royal connections, but ultimately lost to history.
Mainly built in the final years of the reign of King Henry VIII, Nonsuch Palace was unlike any other royal palace of its time, thus its name, for there was none such like it. It stood out for its elaborate decorations, detailed carvings, and innovative Renaissance architecture and was a symbol of Tudor ambition and artistic achievement. Elizabeth I was known to have stayed at Nonsuch and greatly enjoyed the palace during her reign.
It survived the Tudors, being sold by Mary I in 1556 to Henry FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel then passing to his son-in-law, John, Lord Lumley who completed the building work, then being bought back by Elizabeth I in 1592 and going to the Stuarts, then the Cromwellians before coming back to the royal family once again as a home for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I and mother of Charles II. Her son later gave the palace to his infamous mistress, Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland. Facing financial pressures, Barbara made the decision to have the palace dismantled and sold off piece by piece, erasing much of this unique Tudor landmark from existence.
In this video, we explore:
🏰 The story behind Henry VIII’s creation of Nonsuch Palace
👑 Why Elizabeth I cherished her royal retreat at Nonsuch Palace
💔 How Barbara Villiers’ actions led to the destruction of Nonsuch Palace
🔎 What remains of Nonsuch Palace today
If you’re fascinated by Tudor history, lost palaces, royal intrigue, and the legacies of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, this video is a must-watch.
BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG
Join my mailing list (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): historycallingofficial.com
Patreon: patreon.com/historycalling
Amazon storefront: amazon.com/shop/historycalling
Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
History of Buckingham Palace
youtu.be/ZRbvcoeX06g
Inside the Royal Yacht Britannia
youtu.be/rieXIfgeluY
LEARN MORE
Nonsuch Palace - The Material Culture of a Noble Restoration Household (2005).
archive.org/details/oapen-20.500.12657-45822/page/1/mode/1up
GEAR USED
Apple MacBook Pro Laptop (for video editing): amzn.to/3S6IoRK
Blue Yeti Microphone: amzn.to/3FgEDYq
Go-Pro Hero 13 camera: amzn.to/41H4Xnt
GoPro 3-Way 2.0 (Tripod/Grip/Arm): amzn.to/3vaVxjU
Memory Card: amzn.to/3KeLZZs
DJI Drone: amzn.to/39hROZm
NB: Links above may be affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission. It in no way affects the price you pay.
Open Street Map copyright information
openstreetmap.org/copyright
Creative Commons licenses used see creativecommons.org/licenses
#NonsuchPalace #PalaceOfNonSuch #LostPalace
