The 1542 Inventory of the Palace of Westminster

Entries describing the objects kept and used in the principal rooms of Henry VIII’s household.

'First oone Gowne of purple Satten furred with Pampilion/the Sleves and border set with oone hundred and thertye diamondes set in golde and a hundred thertye and oone Clusters of Peerle.’

It is fitting that the first few entries in the 1542 inventory of the Palace of Westminster deal with the small selection of Henry VIII’s clothes that were kept there. These clothes, including the King’s Parliament robes, act as a reminder that the first significant office held by Sir Anthony Denny (1501–49) within Henry VIII’s household was that of Yeoman of the Robes. By 1542, Denny had progressed significantly. He had been previously Second Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and had also held the office of Keeper of the King’s New Palace of Westminster (also known as Whitehall) for six years.

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