Back in the middle ages, a heated home was a luxury that the majority did not have.
Chimneys were a new thing then, and belonged only to the most princely of dwellings.
So it was natural for those who had them to use chimneys as a demonstration of wealth and power.
There is perhaps no better example of this than Hampton Court Palace situated on the outskirts of London.
Photo credit:Jen/Flickr
Hampton Court is one of the most significant and best preserved royal palaces in Britain.
They also came in different colors, depending on the earth from which they were made.
By the time the palace was complete, its magnificence rivaled that of the King.
Unfortunately for Wolsey, he could enjoy his palace only for a few years.
Huge rooms were built equipped with gigantic fireplaces and soaring ceilings to carry away the smoke.
Today, Hampton Court is adorned with 241 decorative brick chimneys, the largest collection in England.
Each chimney sports an elaborately carved design.
It is rumored that no two chimneys are alike.
