The Great Tower

BUCKDEN HIGH STREET TL 1867 (EAST SIDE) 5/25 THE GREAT TOWER 24.10.51 (FORMERLY LISTED AS PART OF BUCKDEN PALACE) GV I

Late C15 tower recently restored by the Claretian Mission. Red brick with burnt brick diapering and patterning. Limestone dressings. Three storeys with basement and four octagonal, embattled turrets at angles rising above the main parapet. Moulded string courses between floors; chamfered plinth. Windows of one, two, and three lights with cinquefoiled lights in square heads and moulded labels at ground and first floors, and basement. The doorway to the basement has an inner and outer arch, the doorway to the ground floor is approached by steps and has a four-centred arch and label. The interior has C20 inserted floors. North-east turret has a stone staircase, partly restored, with moulded stone hand-rail and stone newel. South-east turret has recesses for garderobes. The fireplace at ground floor has a four-centred arch. The first floor fireplace is C17 with moulded jambs, the second floor fireplace is plastered brick. Doorways to the turrets at each floor level have four-centred heads. Since Domesday the manor of Buckden had belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln until it was purchased by Sir Arthur Marshall (Marshall and Snelgrove) in late C19. The outer gateway and boundary wall, the inner gatehouse and curtain wall are remains of Buckden Palace built by Bishop John Iiilliams (1625-1642). The moat with the exception of the western arm was filled in and the medieval hall and great chamber were demolished by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners after 1838. Further demolitions were made by Mr James Marshall of the north wing of the inner gable house, and the medieval bridge. Queen Catherine of Aragon resided at the Palace in 1533 and 1534,AM. RCHM - Huntingdonshire, pp34-38 VCH - Huntingdonshire, p268 Pevsner - Buildings of England, p215 Inskip Ladds Collection. Norris Mus. St Ives A History of Buckden Palace, M Sweeny, 1981, p4 C.R.O. Huntingdon - Collection of photographs and prints

Listing NGR: TL1925267685