Bishop's Palace

TG 2308 NW 16/167

THE CLOSE Bishop's Palace

(Formerly listed under St.Martin-at-Palace Plain)

26.2.54

I

Former Bishop's Palace, now school. C11 onwards. 1858-9 restorations by Ewan Christian. Quaternary and quarry flint, chert, with brick and stone dressings. Horizontal brick bands. Plain and plain tile roofs. Large L-plan north of the Cathedral and originally connected to it. Three and four storeys above C11 barrel vaulting.

West facade: Completely refaced in 1858-9 central projecting bay with two stone mullion and transom windows at ground floor and sash windows above. Five bays to right with mullion and transom windows throughout with brick relieving arches above. Four bays to left with stone mullion and transom windows. One three-light and one large two-light window at first floor. C19 perpendicular window top right-hand. Gables centre with stack and extreme right. Square clustered stacks. Remains of connecting bay to cathedral on south elevation. The east wall has remains of blocked Romanesque windows. Six bays of barrel-vaulting with flat transverse arches. Beneath this in the north-east corner is a brick-built undercroft. To the north is a four-bay brick-built undercroft with a central pier. Fine Queen post roof to former 'High presence' Chamber. This above C19 plaster vaulted hall.

East Wing: Flint. C19 flintwork at first floor with horizontal brick courses. Pantile roof. Two storeys. Two central first-floor traceried windows. Romansque arch at right-hand relating to lower ground level. Four-bay twin-aisled brick-built undercroft.

Listing NGR: TG2345808967