Hampton Court timeline
A documentary reference to Kingston Bridge is first recorded in 1193; it has stone revetments but a flimsy wooden structure in constant need of repair
The Vicars of St Mary's Church in Hampton are known back to 1342 and the old Church possibly existed from c.1250
Thomas Wolsey leases Hampton Court from Henry Daubeney
Wolsey's first phase of work at Hampton Court adds a whole new courtyard of accomodation, Base Court, and an imposing Great Gatehouse
The second phase of Wolsey's work at Hampton Court includes the creation of three suites fit for Royal occupation, a suite of rooms for himself and a magnificant Chapel
Henry VIII orders Wolsey to vacate Hampton Court after Wolsey has opposed the King's divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon
Henry's first phase of building at Hampton Court includes the construction of all the rooms required for operations of the kitchens, a Council Chamber and private rooms for himself
Plans are laid for the King's new gardens at Hampton Court including the Privy Garden, Pond Yard and Mount Garden
Henry rebuilds the Great Hall at Hampton Court, the first in a sequence of rooms leading towards his private lodgings
The Privy Garden at Hampton Court is completed and is divided up into squares by 180 posts topped with heraldic beasts and is said to resemble a chess board in red, white and green
Henry modernises the Chapel at Hampton Court and adds the magnificent ceiling
A Water Gallery, over 170ft long, is constructed and incorporates a landing stage for the King's Barge at Hampton Court with a Pleasure Gallery above
Henry VIII encloses land to the north of Hampton Court Palace as a deer park, and plants it with acorns to provide oak for the navy
Nicolas Oursian creates an astronomical clock for Henry VIII at Hampton Court
Bushy Park has by now acquired its familiar name, from the thorn bushes planted to protect the sapling oaks from the deer
The Longford River is constructed to take water from the River Colne over Hounslow Heath to the Hampton Court Parks to supply water to the gardens.
The Long Water at Hampton Court (3800 ft long), supplied by the Longford River, is constructed flanked by avenues of Dutch limes aligned on the Queen's Drawing Room and a semi-circular canal at the East Front
Bushy House is built by Edward Proger, in the royal enclosure now known as Bushy Park, by order of Charles II
The tower of St Mary's Church is rebuilt in red brick, replacing one of flint and stone
William III and Mary II embark on extensive work at Hampton Court including demolition of the old Royal lodgings and building of new South and East Fronts around a new quadrangle, the Fountain Court
The Great Fountain Garden at Hampton Court, occupying the semi-circle of land between the East Front and the park, is designed with 13 fountains powered by the Longford River
The Great Fountain Garden at Hampton Court, occupying the semi-circle of land between the East Front and the park, is designed with 13 fountains powered by the Longford River
Mary II dies of smallpox and building work at Hampton Court is suspended for 3 years due to William's grief and also for financial reasons due to the enormous expenditure
The new Privy Garden at Hampton Court is built (the Mount had previously been levelled) including a new elm bower and a new Great Parterre of complex design and an Orangery
Grinling Gibbons begins work on carving decorative features and architectural mouldings in the King's Appartments at Hampton Court