Banqueting House Renovation Unearths Hidden Items

The Banqueting House is the last surviving building of Whitehall Palace, which served as the main residence for English monarchs from 1530 until 1698 and occupied most of the area now known as Whitehall. It is primarily known as the site of the execution of the Stuart monarch Charles I, who was beheaded there on 30 January 1649. The building is managed by the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces and is currently undergoing a year-long construction project to renovate its interior. Part of these works involves installing new English oak flooring in the Main Hall, replacing the 1960s floor to better align with the 17th Century building’s design. The process of removing the old floorboards has created an opportunity to examine the space beneath, leading to the discovery of various items left behind by previous floor layers. Among the objects found were old shoes, newspapers, stamps, and sardine tins. The Banqueting House is presently closed while the renovation work is conducted but is expected to reopen in the summer.