<P> The first English expedition to Benin was in 1553, and significant trading developed between England and Benin based on the export of ivory, palm oil and pepper . Visitors in the 16th and 17th centuries brought back to Europe tales of "the Great Benin", a fabulous city of noble buildings, ruled over by a powerful king . However, the Oba began to suspect Britain of larger colonial designs and ceased communications with the British until the British Expedition in 1896 - 97 when British troops captured, burned, and looted Benin City as part of a punitive mission, which brought the Benin Empire to an end . </P> <P> A 17th - century Dutch engraving from Olfert Dapper's Nauwkeurige Beschrijvinge der Afrikaansche Gewesten, published in Amsterdam in 1668 says: </P> <P> The king's palace or court is a square, and is as large as the town of Haarlem and entirely surrounded by a special wall, like that which encircles the town . It is divided into many magnificent palaces, houses, and apartments of the courtiers, and comprises beautiful and long square galleries, about as large as the Exchange at Amsterdam, but one larger than another, resting on wooden pillars, from top to bottom covered with cast copper, on which are engraved the pictures of their war exploits and battles...</P> <P> Another Dutch traveller was David van Nyendael who in 1699 gave an eye - witness account . </P>

Explain the functions of the palace societies in benin kingdom