a village in the county of Middlesex, on the N. bank of the Thames, 12 miles W.S.W. of London. The parish church is a handsome edifice having a square tower at its western end. There are numerous elegant villas in the vicinity. Hampton Court Palace, a deserted abode of royalty, stands close to the river about a mile from the village. It was originally erected by Cardinal Wolsey, and presented by him to his royal master Henry VIII., who made some additions to it. The original edifice consisted of five quadrangles, of which only two now remain, but a third was erected by Sir C. Wren for William III. The western quadrangle has undergone little alteration since Wolsey's time, and is a good specimen of Tudor architecture. The middle quadrangle, called the Clock Court, from a curious astronomical clock placed over the gateway, is of mixed style, the massive character of the old building being marred by the improvements of Kent in 1732. The northern side is wholly occupied by the length of the hall, and on the opposite side is the incongruous colonnade of Sir C. Wren. The third quadrangle was erected, as already said, for William III., under whom also the gardens and park were laid out in their present form. The king's entrance in the Clock Court leads to the grand staircase and state apartments. Hampton Court contains an extensive and valuable collection of pictures, including a large collection of portraits of persons connected with English history, by Holbein, Lely, Kneller, West, &c.; and the celebrated cartoons of Raphael, seven in number, representing some of the most striking incidents recorded in the New Testament. Hampton Court became the favourite residence of Henry VIII., Edward VI. was born here, and here his mother Jane Seymour died. James I. and his son Charles I., Cromwell, Charles II., James II., William III., Queen Anne, and George II. made this their occasional or more permanent residence. It is now open to the public free of charge, and part of it is occupied by persons of rank in reduced circumstances.