The Great Tower

The Great Tower, dating to the late 15th century, was recently restored by the Claretian Mission. It is constructed of red brick with decorative burnt brick diapering and patterning, and features limestone dressings. The tower is three storeys high with a basement, and is characterised by four octagonal, embattled turrets at the corners, which rise above the main parapet. Achamfered plinth runs along the base of the tower, with moulded string courses separating the floors. Windows vary, containing one, two, or three lights with cinquefoiled details in square heads, and moulded labels at ground and first floor levels, and within the basement. A doorway to the basement has both an inner and outer arch. The ground-floor doorway is accessed by steps and has a four-centred arch with a label. The interior now contains 20th-century inserted floors. The north-east turret contains a partly restored stone staircase with a moulded stone hand-rail and stone newel. Recesses for garderobes are found in the south-east turret. A fireplace with a four-centred arch is located on the ground floor; the first floor has a 17th-century fireplace with moulded jambs, and the second floor has a plastered brick fireplace. Doorways to the turrets at each floor level have four-centred heads.

Historically, the manor of Buckden belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln until its purchase in the late 19th century by Sir Arthur Marshall (Marshall and Snelgrove). The tower is a remnant of Buckden Palace, originally constructed by Bishop John Williams (1625-1642). Remnants of the palace include the outer gateway and boundary wall, the inner gatehouse, and curtain wall. The moat, with the exception of the western arm, was filled in, and the medieval hall and great chamber were demolished after 1838 by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Further demolitions were carried out by Mr James Marshall, including the north wing of the inner gable house and the medieval bridge. Queen Catherine of Aragon resided at the Palace in 1533 and 1534.