WESTMINSTER HALL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 7

WESTMINSTER HALL.

———9 FAMOUS STRUCTURE MUCH DECAYED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Sydney "Sun" Special Cable Service.) London, July 11. Extensive decay of the timber of tho Constructional parts of the hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall hns been discovered. It is possible to repair it without spoiling tho beauty of' the design. This will be the first overhaul since 1399. WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE. THE STORY OP WESTMINSTER HALL. The present Westminster Hall is part bf tho ancient Palace of Westminster, founded by the Anglo-Saxon, kings, and occupied by their successors down to Henry VIII. The hall was begun by William Rufus, Bon of the Conqueror, in 1097, continued . and extended by Henry 111 and Edward I, and rtlmost totally destroyed by fire in 1291. Edward II afterwards began to Tebuild itj ami in 1898 Richard II caused it to bo remodelled and enlarged, supplying it with a new roof. It is one of the largest halls in, the world, with a wooden ceiling unsupported by columns. Its length is 290 ft., breadth 68ft.) and height 92ft. The oaken roof, with its hammer-beams, repaired in 1820 with tho wood of an old vessel in Portsmouth Harbour, is considered a masterpiece of timber architecture, both in point of beauty and conr structive skill. Westminster Hall, whioln now forms p, vestibule to tho Houses of Parliament, is rich in interesting historical associations. In it were held some of the earliest English. Parliaments, one of which declared Edward II to have forfeited the crown i and by a curious fatality the first soene of public importance in the new hall* as restored or rebuilt by Riohanl 11, was tho deposition of that unfortunate monarch'. In this hall the English monarchs down to George IV gave their coronation festivals ; and here Edward 111 entertained the captive kings, David of Scotland and John of Frame. Here Charles I was condemned to death, and lioro, a few years later (1035), Cromwell, wearing the royal purple lined with ermine, and holding a golden scoptre in one hand and to© Bible in the other, was saluted as Lord Protector. Within eight years afterwards the Protector's body was rudely dragged from its resting-place in Westminster Abbey and thrust into a pit at Tyburn, while his head was exposed with those of iJrauBhaw and Ireton on the pinnacles of this 6aine Westminster Hall, whero it remanded for 25 or 30 years. '' Many other famous historical, characters were condemned to death in Westminster Hall, including William. Wallace, the brave champion or Scotland 0 liberties; Sir John Oldcaatle, better known as Lord Cobham; Sir Thomas More, tho Protector Somerset, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Robert Dovereaux, Earl of uuy •Fawkes, -mud tho Earl of Strafford. Among other notable events transacted at -Westminster Hall was the. acquittal 01 tilO Seven Bishops who had beon committed to the Tower for- their opposition to the illegal dispensing power of James 11; tiw condemnation of tho Scottish lords, A , marncck, Balmermo, and Lovat; tihe trial of Lord Byron (grand-uncle of the poet) for killing Mr. ChawoTth in a duel; the condemnation of Lord Forrars ifor nvuidering his valet; and the acciiuttaJ _of Warren Hastings, after a. trial ■ .which lasted seven, years. _ The last public festival held in Westminster Hall was at the coronation of George IV, when the King'sl dhampaon in full armour rods into the hall, and, according to ancient custom}, threw Ms gaiiktlet on the floor, challenging to mortal combat anyone who might dispute the title of the SovCTeign. -The ceremoßy of swearing-in the Lord Mayor took place fore for the last time in 1882, arid is now performed in the new Law Courts.