Cole and Son Palace Tales 118/1001

Palace Tales combines three of Historic Royal Palaces’ most significant buildings – the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace – representing almost 1,000 years of British royal history. Its whimsical take on a toile scene is made uniquely contemporary by a pictorial hand. Each element makes up the distinctive tapestry of tales that weave the palaces together. The ravens of the Tower can be seen above its keep, protecting the kingdom according to ancient legend. Below the depths of the River Thames can be seen a most unusual sight, a polar bear, kept by Henry III along with lions and other exotic beasts in his Royal Menagerie. The twilight scene of Kensington Palace is framed by the arching branches of Hyde Park, and a fallow deer approaches Hampton Court Palace gardens, reminiscent of the time when it was Henry VIII’s royal hunting ground.