‘A cloister of curious workmanship’: the patronage of St. Stephen’s cloisters within the Palace of Westminster in the early sixteenth century

Among the modern structures of the Palace of Westminster, the early sixteenth-century St. Stephen’s cloisters stand as one of only three pre-modern survivals, yet they remain understudied due to their long-standing use as offices for M.P.s and parliamentary staff. This study reveals that the cloisters, despite surviving fire and bombs, represent a significant ecclesiastical project on the cusp of the Reformation, with no surviving building accounts. By analyzing institutional history, surviving vaulting designs, and potential patronage, the research offers new insights into this remarkable architectural achievement. The findings challenge previous neglect by contextualizing the cloisters within their historical and ecclesiastical significance.

Biggs, E. (2022). ‘A cloister of curious workmanship’: the patronage of St. Stephen’s cloisters within the Palace of Westminster in the early sixteenth century. Historical Research, 95(269), 309–333. https://doi.org/10.1093/hisres/htac009