Begun in 1538, the greatest of Henry VIII's building enterprises took nine years to build and was completed at a cost of at least 24,000 pounds sterling, a phenomenal amount for that time. It was built in Surrey after Henry destroyed the church and village of Cuddington, near Epsom to make room for his grand new palace. Urban renewal 1530s style!

The basic plan was inner and outer courtyards, each with a fortified gatehouse. Nonsuch was richly decorated and ornate to compete with rival Francis I's Chambord.

The northern side was a more medieval-style fortification, while the southern face had the Renaissance decoration intended only for display. The south side had tall eight-sided towers at each end.

The palace passed to Edward VI upon the death of Henry, and then to Mary, who sold Nonsuch to the Earl of Arundel. Later, the palace returned to the Crown under Elizabeth when the Earl's son-in-law sold the palace to her.

King Henry's youngest daughter, Elizabeth, stayed at Nonsuch Palace frequently, when she ruled as Queen of England (Elizabeth I: 1558-1603). Her courtiers filled the palace to such an extent that some of them were forced to set up tents in the courtyards. Nonsuch Palace was an ideal location for Elizabethan recreations, including riding, hunting and, of course, music and dancing. After the death of Queen Elizabeth I, Nonsuch Palace fell into disuse and disrepair, and was entirely neglected by the Stuart monarchs (King James I: 1603 - 1625; King Charles I: 1625-1649).

A dance named Nonsuch appeared in the 1651 First Edition of John Playford's THE ENGLISH DANCING MASTER: Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to each Dance. The dance called Nonsuch is a longways dance for four couples.

Nonsuch passed in and out of royal hands through the 17th century and was eventually broken up to be incorporated into new buildings. No trace of the palace remains on its site now, but remnants have been excavated and recovered and are on display in various locations, including the British Museum.

http://www.epsom.townpage.co.uk/nonsuch.htm

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/indepth/features/display.var.796328.0.nonsuch_palace_comes_to_virtual_life.php

.