Throne room
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A throne room is the room, often rather a hall, in the official residence of the crown, either a palace or a fortified castle, where the throne of a senior figure (usually a monarch) is set up with elaborate pomp— usually raised, often with steps, and under a canopy, both of which are part of the original notion of the Greek word thronos.
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[edit] Function
A throne room is an impressive setting for a monarch to preside 'in majesty' over official ceremonies, to hold council, to grant audiences, to receive homage, to award high honors and offices, and to perform other official functions. Any of these could just as well be transferred, even on a permanent basis, to one or more other rooms, even outside the palace or ambulant.
A common misconception is that kings and other ruling princes governed their lands seated on a throne for most of the working day. In earlier times this may have been true for some rulers who actually presided over their council; but often another room was used, but only in peacetime.
Many others were almost constantly on the move with an ambulant court. It could even have been that the crown did not have an effective capital, as in England during most of the time before the Norman conquest. Or it could have been that the crown had, rather, a series of alternative residences, as did the Holy Roman Emperors. In their case, these developed into palatinates under the Habsburg Dynasty when they also acquired extensive crown lands outside Germany and Austria, and their court often travelled on an almost continental scale.
Other monarchies frequently changed their capital, but then they would have used a mobile throne, possibly in addition to the permanent one used for enthronement and/or coronation. There are cases in Africa and Asia where the very name of the 'capital' is not a fixed place, but was the place wherever a king settled for a few years. In some climates court migrated annually between a summer and a winter capital. It was also common to spend quite some time, without need for practical reason, in secondary residences, not in the least hunting lodges.
Even when their capitals were well fixed English and French Renaissance kings used to travel extensively, and maintained many royal castles in addition to visits to grandees of the realm. Henry VIII's most frequently used residence was, in fact, at Hampton Court, not in London.
Even when in the main or only palace, the monarch often spent much time in other parts of the residence, such as the dining hall, the chapel, private quarters (for rest and family life), possibly separate presence room, council chamber, ballroom, gardens, court theatre and other recreational facilities.
Nowadays throne rooms are only used for occasional grand ceremonies. Paper work is done in an office, and most guests are received in a salon.
[edit] Notable throne rooms
The following are notable throne rooms. Others are listed in the article on thrones.
[edit] UK & Ireland
[edit] Buckingham Palace
The throne room, used for court gatherings and as a second dancing room, is dominated by a proscenium arch supported by a pair of winged figures of 'victory' holding garlands above the two thrones (used by HM the Queen and Prince Philip), which are originals from the Queen's coronation in 1953. It is in the throne room that the Queen, on special occasions, receives loyal addresses. Another use of the throne room has been for formal wedding photographs.
[edit] Tower of London
Although the Tower of London is still a royal residence, it has not been inhabited since the reign of Elizabeth I in the 1500s, when it became a prison for royal enemies.
[edit] Dublin Castle
Located in the Bedford Tower, the throne in Dublin Castle was presented to William III after his victory at the Battle of the Boyne. Last used by George V in 1911, the room is still used for state functions.
[edit] Austria
[edit] Hofburg (Vienna)
Once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire for over 600 years, the Hofburg's throne room now serves as a conference centre, used by the Austrian Congress and for other international events.
[edit] France
[edit] Versailles
The throne was commissioned by Louis XIV and was in use up until 1789. In 1837 the Château de Versailles became a national museum. As part of the greater Versailles museum, the room is open to the public. Compare: Lit de justice.
[edit] Fontainebleau Palace
Preferring Fontainebleau over Versailles, Napoleon had Louis XV's bedroom converted into a throne room and it was here that Napoleon abdicated. The palace was last used by Napoleon III when it was later declared a national monument in 1871, after the collapse of the empire.
[edit] Monaco: Prince's Palace,
For over 700 years, the Grimaldi family have ruled Monaco and it is in this throne room that many historic festivals and ceremonies have taken place since the 16th century. It also where most civil marriages of the royal family occur, before then having a religious ceremony elsewhere.
[edit] Germany
[edit] Residenz of Munich (Bavaria)
The residence of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria has many throne-rooms. They were all built in the 1800's, after the monarchs of Bavaria became kings. Therefore the throne-rooms are all in the classicism style.
[edit] Schloss Neuschwanstein (Bavaria)
Note that the throne room of this beautiful, dream-like castle does not have a throne in it - the reason being that Ludwig II of Bavaria (its commissioner) did not live to see Neuschwanstein's completion, therefore one was never installed.
[edit] Hawaii
[edit] Iolani Palace
These thrones were used by King David Kalakaua, his wife Queen Kapiolani, and his successor Queen Liliuokalani. Kalakaua and his wife actually disliked sitting on the thrones, instead preferring to stand in front of them while receiving guests. The throne room, like the rest of the palace, is open the public.
[edit] Russia
[edit] Peterhof
Used by the Tsars of Russia, the dais and throne of the Peterhof dominate the eastern wall with a large picture presenting Catherine II on her horse. The room also holds numerous oil paintings and eleven chandeliers.
[edit] Winter Palace
Regarded as the throne of Russia, the throne of St. George's Hall (or large throne room) is set atop the seven-stepped dais with a proscenium arch above and the symbol of the Imperial Family behind (the two-headed eagle). Peter I's Room (the smaller throne room) is modest in comparison to the former. The throne was made for Empress Anna Ivanovna in London and the picture behind displays Peter the Great with Minerva.
[edit] Spain
[edit] Royal Palace of Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid) is the official residence of the King of Spain, located in the Spanish capital of Madrid.
King Juan Carlos and his family do not reside in the palace, instead choosing a smaller palace, the Palacio de la Zarzuela, on the outskirts of Madrid. However, the Palacio Real de Madrid remains the official residence of the Spanish monarchy and is used for state occasions.
