The Middle Ages
How did a royal palace at Westminster come about? Find out more about its earliest origins
What were the main courtyards of the medieval Palace of Westminster?
The Normans inherited the Palace of Westminster from the Anglo-Saxons. What did they do with it? Learn about this critical phase of early Palace history
Read how King Henry III transformed the Palace of Westminster into a magnificent seat of government and royal authority
The Palace of Westminster was transformed by the Plantagenet kings during the 13th century. Find out more about the royal apartments which they built for their exclusive use
Where were the first parliaments at Westminster held? Discover their earliest meeting places
Where were the Lords and Commons first housed? Find out more about their early homes at the Palace of Westminster
Why was St Stephen's Chapel built? Explore the early history of this spectacular royal Chapel within the medieval Palace
The Undercroft Chapel is one of the few surviving parts of the ancient Palace of Westminster, and is still in use by Members today. Read more about its history
The Jewel Tower still stands today, and is one of the few remaining parts of the ancient Palace of Westminster. Why was it built? How did it survive the fire of 1834?