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Royal Castles and Palaces
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Book Categories: World, Americas, Britain, British Castles, China, Czech & Slovak, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mayan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Children's Books
World Palaces
Palaces That Changed the World by Klaus Reichold. Elegant photography and background lore on more than 50 palaces around the world.
Great Britain
The Royal Palaces of London by David Souden, foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales. Tells the stories of London's palaces from the Norman Conquest to modern times. Over 300 illustrations.
The Royal Gardeners by Alan Titchmarsh. Looks at the history of Britain's royal gardens from medieval times to the present day. Illustrated with original plans, designs, letters, planting records and diagrams of surviving gardens. From Alibris.
Haunted Royal Homes by Joan Forman. Focuses on British royal homes. From Alibris.
The Royal Yacht Britannia: The Official History by Richard Johnstone-Bryden. The author interviewed members of the royal family, royal yachtsmen, those who built the yacht, and those involved in her preservation.
The Royal Yacht Britannia: Inside the Queen's Floating Palace by Brian Hoey. The story of the Royal Yacht Britannia from 1939 through to her decommissioning in 1997.
Buckingham Palace: The Official History by John Martin Robinson. King George III bought the Duke of Buckingham's house in 1761. This book tells the story of the house's gradual transformation into a royal palace.
Buckingham Palace Redesigned: A Radical New Approach to London's Royal Parks by Terry Farrell. The author, a British architect who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2001, shares his ideas for making royal parks and palaces more accessible to the public.
The Garden at Buckingham Palace: An Illustrated History by Jane Brown, photographs by Christopher Simon Sykes. Presents the story of the garden from its beginnings as a 17th-century mulberry plantation frequented by Samuel Pepys to the role it plays today in the lives of the royal family.
The Strange History of Buckingham Palace: Patterns of People by Patricia Wright. The story of Buckingham Palace and its environs.
Buckingham Palace: Official Souvenir Guide by Jonathan Marsden.
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace: Official Guidebook by Hugh Vickers.
100 Treasures of Buckingham Palace by Tom Parsons, Kathryn Barron, Matthew Winterbottom. One hundred of the most famous works of art in Buckingham Palace are presented in this fully-illustrated text, with accompanying notes for each plate and a brief introduction.
The Queen's House by Edna Healey is a social history of Buckingham Palace. Out of print, but available at Alibris.
More Books About Buckingham Palace
Clarendon
Clarendon: Landscape of Kings by Tom Beaumont James and Christopher Gerrard. After 1066, Clarendon in Wiltshire became the favorite royal retreat. This illustrated book tells Clarendon's story from Neolithic to modern times, focusing on the palace's medieval heyday.
Hampton Court Palace: The Official Illustrated History by Lucy Worsley and David Souden. Tells the story of one of the finest palaces in Europe: the original buildings of Henry VIII's reign; the late 17th century Baroque additions by Sir Christopher Wren; the famous formal gardens; the lifestyles of monarchs, mistresses, and courtiers; and life below stairs.
Hampton Court: A Social and Architectural History by Simon Thurley. Lavishly illustrated, the book covers the entire history of the building, including the fire of 1986. Explores the lives of its builders, telling the stories of the architects who fulfilled the whims of kings and princes.
The Gardens at Hampton Court Palace by Todd Longstaffe Gowan, photographs by Vivian Russell. Hampton Court Palace has the finest Baroque park and garden layout in Britain. This book explores the history of the gardens, including the role and impact of patrons, designers and estate workers.
Hampton Court Palace by Matthew Sturgis. A behind-the-scenes look at this great building and the stories of the people who have lived there. With color illustrations. Published in 1998 to accompany the TV series of the same name. Out of print, but available at Alibris.
Hampton Court by R.J. Minney. A chronicle of the Thameside palace, seat of English kings, their ministers, and mistresses for centuries. Illustrated with photographs and diagrams. Published in 1972. Available at Alibris.
The Great Fire at Hampton Court by Michael Fishlock. On Easter Monday 1986, a fire severely damaged the Wren wing of Hampton Court Palace. This is a dramatic first-hand account of the fire and the challenging restoration.
More Books About Hampton Court
Highgrove
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace: The Official Illustrated History by Edward Impey.
Kensington Palace by Derek Hudson. Built in 1605 as Nottingham House, Kensington Palace became a royal house when William III bought it in 1689. It was the principal residence of the Crown for 70 years. The book includes plans and photos, and also traces the history of Kensington Gardens. From Alibris.
Kew Palace: The Official Illustrated History by Susanne Groom, Lee Prosser. Kew Palace is Britain's smallest royal palace. Built in 1631, it later became the home of George III, Queen Charlotte and their large family.
Other Books About Kew Palace & Gardens
The Making of the Royal Pavilion: Design and Drawings by John Morley. Reproduces the original drawings used for the interior and exterior of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Built in 1787 as a neo-classical marine villa, the Pavilion had grown into an Indian/Chinese fantasy by 1820.
More Books About the Royal Pavilion
Sandringham Days: The Domestic Life of the Royal Family in Norfolk, 1862-1952 by John Matson. Draws on letters, diaries and contemporary reports.
St James' Palace: A History by Kenneth Scott. Built in the 16th century, St James' Palace in London is still used today for royal residences and offices.
More Books About St. James's Palace
The Tower of London: The Official Illustrated History by Edward Impey and Geoffrey Parnell. A collection of black-and-white pictures spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London by Nigel Jones. Castle, royal palace, prison, zoo, treasure house, tourist attraction: the Tower of London has been all these things and more. This history, drawn from primary sources, tells the ancient structure's story from William the Conqueror to modern times. Published in the UK; available from Alibris.
The White Tower by Edward Impey. The White Tower, the gigantic structure at the heart of the Tower of London, is the most complete 11th century palace in Europe. This is a complete architectural, archaeological and historical study of White Tower and its context.
The Tower Menagerie by Daniel Hahn. The amazing 600-year history of the royal collection of wild and ferocious beasts kept at the Tower of London. Out of print, but available from Alibris.
Tower of London: England's Ghostly Castle by Gail Blasser Riley. For children ages 9 to 12.
More Books About the Tower of London
Whitehall
Whitehall Palace: An Architectural History of the Royal Apartments, 1240-1698 by Simon Thurley. A discussion of the art and architecture of Whitehall Palace. It traces the development of the palace from its origins. Includes plans and diagrams.
More Books About Whitehall Palace
Windsor Castle: Official Souvenir Guide by John Martin Robinson.
Royal Landscape: The Gardens and Parks of Windsor by Jane Roberts. A comprehensive history of the parks around Windsor Castle. Includes 500 illustrations.
Windsor Ablaze! The Windsor Castle Fire & Restoration by Alexandra Brown. Describes the events leading up to the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle, the blaze itself, the immense salvage operation and restoration project.
The Royal Gardens in Windsor Great Park by Charles Lyte and Aidan Lyte. Out of print, but available from Alibris.
Windsor Castle: England's Royal Fortress by Jacqueline A. Ball, Stephen F. Brown. For children ages 9 to 12.
More Books About Windsor Castle
Books About Stuart Royal Palaces
Books About Tudor Royal Palaces
British Castles
The English Castle: 1066-1650 by John Goodall. The history of English castles over six centuries, including their varied architecture and changing role in warfare, politics, domestic living, and governance. Over 350 illustrations.
Houses of the National Trust by Lydia Greeves. Interior and exterior design of more than 250 properties, including houses, churches, windmills, castles, barns, and even pubs. This is a companion to Gardens of the National Trust by Stephen Lacey.
Medieval Castles, Stately & Historic Houses of Great Britain & Northern Ireland by Charles Phillips. From ancient times to the Wars of the Roses and 1485.
Castles & Palaces of the Tudors & Stuarts by Charles Phillips. The golden age of Britain's historic and stately houses.
The Stately Houses, Palaces & Castles of Georgian, Victorian and Modern Britain by Charles Phillips. An in-depth guide to the history of every house, with information on design, construction, best-known inhabitants, and celebrated architects.
The Amateur Historian's Guide to the Heart of England: Nearly 200 Medieval & Tudor Sites Two Hours or Less from London by Sarah Valente Kettler and Carole Trimble. A travel guide for royalty fans.
Castles in Context: Power, Symbolism and Landscape 1066-1500 by Robert Liddiard. Focusing on castle archaeology in England and Wales, this book examines how people experienced castles in the Middle Ages, and why they were such potent icons of lordship. Illustrated.
Leeds Castle: Queen of Castles, Castle of Queens by Scala Publishing. Illustrated guide that traces the castle's long link with the English Crown.
Castles of Britain and Ireland: The Ultimate Reference Book: A Region-By-Region Guide to over 1,350 Castles by Plantagenet Somerset Fry, photos by David Lyons. Out of print, but available from Alibris.
The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry. Provides details on the fortified buildings of Scotland, including histories, ownership, locations, and visitor access. This edition covers over 2300 sites, from the largest strongholds to the smallest ruins. Includes maps.
Scottish Houses and Gardens by Ian Gow. Photos of famous palaces, castles, and houses from the archives of Country Life, including Holyroodhouse and Glamis.
Forteviot: A Pictish & Scottish Royal Centre by Nick Aitchison. This first full-scale study of this famous site in Scotland throws new light on Pictish kingship and of the most powerful Pictish kings, Unuist son of Uurguist.
Edinburgh Castle: Scotland's Haunted Fortress by Barbara Knox. For children ages 9 to 12.
Books About Linlithgow Palace
More Books About Scotland's Castles
Balmoral
Glamis Castle
The Palace of Holyroodhouse: Official Guidebook by Ian Gow.
More Books About the Palace of Holyroodhouse
China
The Forbidden City by Geremie R. Barme. A history of the culture, politics, and architecture of the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City by Antony White. This guidebook includes an overview of the Forbidden City's history.
Beijing's Imperial Palace: The Illustrated Guide to the Architecture, History, and Splendor of the Forbidden City by Yang Zhigang. Designed to serve as an illustrated tour guide of the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City by Nancy Berliner. Illustrations and essays on the Qianlong Garden and its artworks, published to accompany an exhibition.
The Summer Palace by Yao Tianxin. More than 60 photos of the world's largest imperial garden. Chinese/English edition.
Forbidden City: China's Imperial Palace by Barbara Knox. Nonfiction for children ages 9 to 12.
Palace Architecture by Ru Jinghua, Hua-Liang Peng, Ching-Hua Ju, Peng Hualiang, translated by Zang Erzhong, is about the architecture of the Ming and Ching dynasties. Sometimes available from Alibris.
Books About the Emperors of China
Egypt
Egyptian Palaces and Villas: Pashas, Khedives, and Kings by Shirley Johnston, photographs by Sherif Sonbol. Tells the stories of the families and architects behind 41 spectacular villas and palaces. Illustrated with 174 original color photographs.
Europe
Dream Palaces: The Last Royal Courts of Europe by Jerome Coignard, photographs by Marc Walter. Offers a private tour through 19th century royal estates, including Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein, the Alexandra Cottage of Peterhof, and the lovely Castle of Miramare built for Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. Provides a brief overview of each royal family and their palaces, contemporary color photographs, period interior views, and family photographs.
Dream Sleeps: Castle & Palace Hotels of Europe (2nd Edition) by Pamela L. Barrus. A travel guide for those who want to live like royalty.
Royal Gardens of Europe by George Plumptre. Examines how royal gardens represented power; royal leisure gardens; the influence of English gardening on royalty in many European countries; restorations of important gardens; contemporary royal gardens; and more. Includes a directory of gardens.
Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure From the Palaces of Europe edited by Annamaria Giusti and Wolfram Koeppe. This beautiful catalogue provides a history of pietre dure, a form of hardstone carving that reached an artistic peak in Italy in the 16th century and spread throughout Europe.
Everything Castles by Crispin Boyer. Fun facts and photos shed light on the history of castles. For children ages 8 and up.
Books About Castle Hotels
Other Books About European Castles
Books About European Palaces
France
Versailles: A Biography of a Palace by Tony Spawforth. Analyzes the politics behind the Sun King's construction of Versailles and how it worked as the seat of a royal court, showing the fateful consequences for the French monarchy of its relocation to Versailles.
Behind the Scenes in Versailles by Pascal Bonafoux and Gilles Targat. About the building of the chateau, life at court, and its characters - kings, queens, courtiers -- and intrigues.
Versailles: A Private Invitation by Guillaume Picon, photographs by Francis Hammond. Photos of the world's largest château, including numerous apartments and outbuildings inaccessible to the public. Includes Marie-Antoinette's boudoir, the wings of the Queen's theater, and the Orangerie on a wintery day.
The Louvre: The Tale of a Palace by Geneviève Bresc-Bautier. The story of the Louvre from its construction as a medieval fortress to the present day -- a dramatic saga of French history and royalty. 200 illustrations.
Versailles by Jean-Marie Perouse De Montclos. A coffee-table book of photos of the beautiful French palace.
French Architectural Ornament: From Versailles, Fontainebleau and Other Palaces edited by Eugene Rouyer. A visual tour through royal salons, war rooms, and ballrooms, with decorative elements from doors, walls, fireplaces, cabinets, consoles, and friezes. 61 color and 100 black-and-white illustrations.
Versailles Gardens by Beatrix Saule, photographs by Jean-Baptiste Leroux. Tells the story of the gardens created by Louis XIV, gardener Andre le Notre, artist Hardouin-Mansart, and architect Charles Le Brun.
Palace of Versailles: France's Royal Jewel by Linda Tagliaferro. For children ages 9 to 12.
Germany
The Castles of King Ludwig II by Ernst Wrba and Michael Kühler. This illustrated study includes details on Neuschwanstein Castle, Schloss Linderhof (the only castle to be finished), and Schloss Herrenchiemsee.
German Castles and Palaces edited by Klaus Merten, photographs by Paolo Marton. Nearly 200 color pictures of 53 of the most important and beautiful German castles and palaces, with text describing the history of the residences and the great dynasties that built them. Out of print, but available from Alibris.
More Books About Ludwig II & His Palaces
Hungary
Great Country Houses of Hungary by Lord Michael Pratt, photographs by Gerhard Trumler. Baroque castles and rococo villas dot Hungary's countryside, testaments to the wealth and power of the aristocracy.
India
India Sublime: Princely Palace Hotels of Rajasthan by Mitchell Shelby Crites and Ameeta Nanji, photographs by Melba Levick. With vast marble halls, mirrored rooms, mosaics, and tapestries, India's palaces are a visual feast. Many have been converted to hotels. This book is illustrated with more than 250 photos.
Royal Palaces of India by George Michell, photographs by Antonio Martinelli. Evokes life within the complexes and describes their defense, spacious audience halls, courtyards, temples, and private apartments.
Forts & Palaces of India: Sentinels of History by Bindu Manchanda.
Princely Rajasthan: Rajput Palaces and Mansions by George Michell, photos by Antonio Martinelli. Provides a glimpse into the lives of colorful Indian maharajas who lived in fantastic palaces. Illustrated with photos of the palaces and royal collections of paintings, furniture, and more.
Silent Splendour: Palaces of the Deccan, 14th-19th Centuries edited by Helen Philon, photographs by Clare Arni. The architecture of India's Deccan dynasties, from the Early Bahmani kingdom at Daulatabad to the Asaf Jahi rulers of Hyderabad.
Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts edited by Anna Jackson and Amin Jaffer. This lavishly illustrated book, published to accompany an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, examines the world of the maharaja from the 18th century to 1947. Includes paintings, photographs, textiles and dress, jewelry, jeweled objects, metalwork, and furniture.
The City Palace Museum Udaipur by Andrew Topsfield. Paintings of court life in the Indian region of Mewar (Udaipur Kingdom).
The Vijayanagara Courtly Style: Incorporations and Synthesis in the Royal Architecture of Southern India, 15th-17th Centuries by George Michell. The Mysore Palace is only 86 years old. This book examines the history of other royal palaces in the region.
Iran
Palaces and Gardens of Persia by Yves Porter. From ancient mirrored shrines of Shiraz and geometric gardens of Kashan to the ornate domes of Ispahan, here is a photographic timeline of 3,000 years drawn in water, brick, and ceramic.
Japan
Katsura by Arata Isozaki. A detailed history of Katsura, the 17th-century imperial palace in Kyoto, often described as the "quintessence of Japanese taste." Includes photographs and drawings.
Russia
The Amber Room: The Fate of the World's Greatest Lost Treasure by Catherine Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy. One of the most valuable works in the history of art, the Amber Room was sent by Frederick I of Prussia to Peter the Great in 1717 as a gift. When the Nazis swept into St Petersburg, it disappeared from view, never to be seen again.
The Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum: Catherine the Great's Private Passion by Will Black, Simon Sebag Montefiore. A brief introduction to one of the world's most enchanting 18th century palaces.
More Books About Russian Palaces
Books About Russian Royalty
Books About Faberge Eggs
Tibet
Splendor of Tibet: The Potala Palace, Jewel of the Himalayas edited by Phuntsok Namgyal. Features over 150 color photographs of the Potala Palace, palace of the Dalai Lamas, including murals, statues, and enamel work, and palace exteriors.
More Books About Tibet
Books About the Dalai Lamas
Turkey
Architecture, Ceremonial, and Power: The Topkapi Palace in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries by Gulru Necipoglu.
Topkapi Palace: An Illustrated Guide to Its Life and Personalities by Godfrey Goodwin. The Topkapi Palace was the official residence of the Ottoman sultans for three centuries. Out of print, but available from Alibris.
Books About Byzantine Architecture
Books About Ottoman Architecture
Children's Books
The Palace by Kathryn Hinds. From the Life in the Medieval Muslim World series. For children ages 9 to 12.
Children's Books About Castles
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World Royalty A-Z
Documentaries About British Castles & Palaces
These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.
Britain
Castles of Scotland. A tour of many dramatic fortresses, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Castle Fraser, Fyvie Castle, Castle Levan, Caerlaverock Castle, Glamis Castle, Fort George, Eileen Donan Castle, Culzean Castle, and Kinloch Castle. Three volume set.
Middleham Castle - A Royal Residence. A 45-minute guided tour around the castle that stands in Yorkshire, England today and, through the art of computer reconstruction, the 15th century castle, once home to the future King Richard III.
Sandal Castle: The Battle of Wakefield 1460 & Building Sandal's Castles. A double-feature DVD. "The Battle of Wakefield 1460" re-examines this critical moment in the Wars of the Roses. "Building Sandal's Castles" chronicles the development of this castle from the Norman Conquest to the time of Richard III. Features computer reconstructions and location footage.
Britannia: The Palace at Sea is a 1998 documentary. Sometimes available from Amazon.
France
Versailles. A short documentary about the history of Versailles, from its beginnings as a hunting lodge in a swamp to its transformation into the most spectacular palace in Europe.
Global Treasures: Chateau De Versailles. A 2007 documentary.
Documentaries About Palaces in Hawaii
Documentaries About Palaces in Monaco
Videos & DVDs About Topkapi Palace in Turkey
More Royalty Videos & DVDs
Related Topics
Toy Castles for Children
Royal History
World Royalty A-Z
Other Websites
Palaces - Great Buildings Online
Castles of the World
Castles on the Web
Royal Residences (official British site)
Historical Royal Palaces (official British site)
Westminster Abbey
Chateau de Versailles
Castles and Palaces of Portugal
Virtual Palaces on the Internet (Thailand)
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