Fore Hall

Fore Hall (先殿, ser-nters) is a building complex situated in the south or "fore" side of the Sqin-lang Palace in Kien-k'ang, Themiclesia. The Fore Hall is now the seat of the Themiclesian House of Commons. It served as the monarch's actual or ceremonial residence within the palace for many centuries and remains the site of many state ceremonies. Certain parts, such as the walls, of the building complex date as far back as the 3rd century and likely to the initial establishment of the palace, though the oldest standing structure dates to the late 400s.

The Fore Hall is bound by a set of rectangular, rammed-earth walls and consists of several monumental and supporting structures. After centuries of additions and modifications, it is now divided into five courtyards. The central courtyard encloses the Gwrang-goi Chamber (永龢堂), which is now the main meeting chamber of the House of Commons. The central courtyard is flanked by two additional courtyards and abuts the rear courtyard, which are nowadays occupied by state rooms and offices of the House of Commons. The southern part of the Fore Hall complex is an entryway, whose main portal is the Twar Gate (耑門) or Gate of Lights.

History

The history of the Fore Hall can be pursued from three types of materials, according to Brown, "being a building of pre-eminent political and cultural import in Themiclesian history since the hegemonic period." Brown holds that "there is perhaps no building as central to Themiclesian history as the Fore Hall is." These materials in her treatment are historical writings, artistic depictions, and physical structures still standing or archaeologically recovered.

Structures

Twar Gate

Main article: Twar Gate

South Gwrang-goi Gate

南永龢門

Gwrang-goi Chamber

永龢省

北省

永龢左省

永龢右省

See also

• Sqin-lang Palace