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Bringing the Palace to Life
Carved oak furniture, beautiful embroideries, stained glass windows – it would have been the very best a king could buy. It would have been quite a task to fit out and furnish the new palace of a king determined to show the world he was up to speed with the very latest Renaissance fashions and ideas. More than four-and-a-half centuries later Historic Scotland has also had quite a job on its hands to work out how to recreate the palace interior in a way that will provide visitors with the authentic look and feel of the mid-1500s.
After years of research we have recently awarded contracts worth £1.55 million to companies across the country which still practice the traditional skills of the period. And we think the results will fully repay the time and investment.
After years of research we have recently awarded contracts worth £1.55 million to companies across the country which still practice the traditional skills of the period. And we think the results will fully repay the time and investment.
We know, for example, that James V, was keeping up with other royals and leading nobles by investing in the latest furniture trend – four poster beds. What seems olde worlde today was then pretty trendy stuff. So the contracts include a couple of state four-posters, plus wall hangings, cloths of estate, wonderful chairs, tables, cupboards, candelabra, fire irons. There will be handmade carpets – in those days only the very wealthiest people would put them on the floor rather than on top of furniture – after all, they were hugely precious and someone might tread on them.
Then there are the shutters and stained glass for 26 windows and, what will be one of the most striking features of the apartments, the magnificently painted walls and ceilings. These will have coats of arms, Classical figures, and other themes to reflect the good taste, power and pedigree of the Stuart monarchy.
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, welcomed the contracts, saying: “They form a vital part of the palace project and will help recreate the splendour and luxury of a great Renaissance royal residence. They are also important as a way of supporting and encouraging traditional crafts and skills.”
Among the most beautiful items being created is a painted triptych, depicting saints and angels, which will be part of the portable altar which will stand in the Queen’s Bedchamber. Items like this will help bring the palace to life for visitors, and give a real sense of Renaissance life. An altar of this kind would probably have been among the most familiar and personal possessions of James’ second wife, Mary de Guise.
Then there are the shutters and stained glass for 26 windows and, what will be one of the most striking features of the apartments, the magnificently painted walls and ceilings. These will have coats of arms, Classical figures, and other themes to reflect the good taste, power and pedigree of the Stuart monarchy.
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, welcomed the contracts, saying: “They form a vital part of the palace project and will help recreate the splendour and luxury of a great Renaissance royal residence. They are also important as a way of supporting and encouraging traditional crafts and skills.”
Among the most beautiful items being created is a painted triptych, depicting saints and angels, which will be part of the portable altar which will stand in the Queen’s Bedchamber. Items like this will help bring the palace to life for visitors, and give a real sense of Renaissance life. An altar of this kind would probably have been among the most familiar and personal possessions of James’ second wife, Mary de Guise.
