The history of Hampton starts with the Knights of St John who acquired the manor of Hampton in 1236 and used the site as a centre for their agricultural estates to store produce. There were very few residences, but the palace was in a convenient spot between the royal palaces at Sheen and Byfleet, so Hampton was a natural place for a break in the journey.

Thus it became a kind of high-status guest house until the Knights of St John decided to rent the house out to tenants in around 1490. The first known tenant was a courtier called Giles Daubeney, who took up residence here from 1494.

Henry VII and his queen stayed at Hampton on a number of occasions - it was a peaceful retreat from Westminster and the Tower of London. Hampton Court's next occupant was Cardinal Wolsey, also Lord Chancellor, and close friend of king Henry VIII.

He built a vast palace, a magnificent Bishop's palace, with sumptuous private chambers and three suites for the royal family: one for King Henry VIII, one for Queen Katherine, and one for Princess Mary. A grand processional led from these grand apartments to the double-height chapel. But one of the most impressive parts from this period is Base Court, the huge outer courtyard with about 40 guest lodgings - all ensuite with a lavatory!

Thomas Wolsey needed Hampton Court to entertain and host important diplomatic visits. These visits were occasions for impressive displays of wealth and the inevitable conspicuous consumption, though matters of state were also dealt with. Wolsey was criticised by many for his extravagant lifestyle and his ostentatious palace at Hampton Court. But what brought him down was his refusal to help Henry obtain a divorce from his first wife Katherine, who had not provided Henry with a male heir. Wolsey was deprived of both Hampton Court and his position as King's Minister.

So then Henry decided to rebuild much of the palace so it was a modern and sophisticated residence. There were tennis courts, pleasure gardens, bowling alleys and a hunting park of more than a thousand acres. The kitchens were vast, as was the chapel, and so indeed was the communal dining room, and the multiple garderobe (or toilet) - the "Great House of Easement", it was called - which seated nearly thirty people at a time! Water flowed from Coombe Hill in Kingston through lead pipes for three miles to supply the palace.

All of Henry's six wives visited the palace and were given lavish lodgings. The palace provided accommodation for the King's children and courtiers, servants and visitors. In August 1546 Henry fêted the French ambassador and two hundred gentlemen of France plus a thousand courtiers of his own for six days.