When people think of wrought iron gates, they picture the classical, ornate, and hand-crafted beauty of places like Buckingham Palace. We don’t have many palaces in the United States that house a royal family. In fact, it is precisely our break from the royals back in 1776 that brought America its Independence. Lucky for us, our side won that war and we didn’t have to deal with any more stubborn Kings. Nevertheless, the history of the British Crown is a big part of Western civilization and a crucial part of England’s history, empire, and culture.
Even as the royal family today plays mostly a symbolic role, their incredible palace still rests right smack in the middle of London. If you’ve ever ventured across the pond and taken a stroll in Victoria, London, you would have likely come upon the incredible structure of Buckingham Palace. This is the home and administrative center of the British Royal family and it is surrounded by breathtaking wrought iron gates that have always become part of the palace’s identity. So what’s the story behind those gates and how do they form part of this historic building?
A Brief History of the Palace and the Wrought Iron Gates
The monarchy of England dates back thousands of years. Compared to this long history, Buckingham Palace is a young building. It has not always been the home of the British Royals. From 1531 to 1837 the residence of the King of England was St. James Palace. Buckingham Palace sits in the borough of Westminster, which has been the property of the British monarchy for more than 400 years. In the early 1700s, the Duke of Buckingham found the residence that sat in the lot a little outdated and in need of a major spruce up. The structure that was erected in its place was designed by Willian Winde and John Fitch and became known as Buckingham house. When it changed hands to King George in 1761, he invested quite a hefty amount for a renovation on the property. The King wanted to use it as the main property for his wife Queen Charlotte and her children.
Buckingham Becomes the Queens House
As Queen Charlotte and her family moved in, the house was adequately named the “Queen’s house.” King George IV took the initiative to renovate and expand the house and hired well-known architect John Nash, who was in charge of turning the house into a closer version of the palace we know today. After that, several of the royals that ascended to the throne would renovate, redesign, and expand the palace.
The Wrought Iron Gates Redefine Craftsmanship
The wrought iron gates that surround the palace have not been around very long, relatively speaking. The gates were commissioned to the local Bromsgrove Guild, an organization with deep interests in preserving local arts and crafts. As industrialization had made things bland and mass-produced Bromsgrove Guild elated original and local craftsmanship. They had acquired quite the reputation for their wrought iron pieces. On the front of the gates is an extraordinary piece crafted from the wrought iron of the Royal Coat of Arms. This is composed of a Lion and Unicorn— which represent England and Scotland respectively— presenting the four quadrants of the British coat of arms. Each of the four quadrants has its own symbol. For example, the harp represents Ireland, the lions represent England.
The NeoClassical Fleur-de-lis
The entire perimeter of the palace is surrounded by this classic wrought iron gate in black with golden ornamentation on top. The gates are taller than you might imagine, as they extend far beyond six feet. The wrought iron fence features what is called Fleur-de-lis, which adds luxury and elegance to the gate. Fleur-de-lis is French and it stands for the stylized lily, which looks like an open flower with three petals.
A Wrought Iron Gift from Canada
Part of the Buckingham Palace gate is the area called the Canada gate. This was presented to London from Canada as a gift and dedication to Queen Victoria. The gate is designed and decorated with a similar style to the ones from Buckingham Palace, except it bears the emblems of the Canadian province of the time.
Get Timeless Beauty with Wrought Iron Gates
The gates surrounding the British Royal family are not only there for show. These sturdy gates serve as great security, given their strength and length. Whether you are protecting your home, your business, or your very own palace, there is no better and unique security than with a wrought iron gate. Find out more about custom ironworks and how they will enhance your property.
Looking for beautiful wrought iron gates or features for your home or commercial property. Connect with Best Iron Works and see how we bring royal elegance to every work we do.