The Cloister

The Speaker’s House is built around a square light-well with corridors on all four sides which provide light, ventilation and easy access to the rooms.

On the Principal Floor these corridors have been given the form of a handsome Perpendicular fan-vaulted cloister, which was modelled on the surviving early 16th century cloister between Westminster Hall and the former St Stephen’s Chapel.

A number of Speakers’ portraits hang here, including those of two 16th century Speakers, Sir Thomas Audley and Sir Edward Coke, and another copy of the portrait of Speaker Arthur Onslow.

Also, in the Cloister are placed the chairs originally intended for the State Dining Room. Of the same design as those made by A W Pugin for the Prince’s Chamber in the House of Lords in 1847, they are most distinctive, with an x-frame placed at the side and carved lion heads, but, not being upholstered, they must have been judged too uncomfortable for dining on. A chair with the strange added triangular superstructure would have been intended for the Speaker.