BEDLAM AND BETRAYAL

The old Houses of Parliament burned down in 1834 and a competition was run in 1836 to find the best design for a new Houses of Parliament. Many people, from all walks of life, entered the competition; some were more qualified than others to do so. Charles Barry, a well established classical architect, won, but it was young, unknown Augustus Welby Pugin who had done most of the winning design and drawings. This tale is about their professional relationship which led to the one receiving aclaim and wealth, while the other fell into disaster and death. The story reveals that the new Palace of Westminster was built on a foundation of love, genius, hate, intrigue, jealousy and deception.