King John'S Palace (Situated To West Of Tudor House Museum)

King John's Palace, located to the west of Tudor House Museum, dates from around 1170, with early 14th century and mid-14th century elements. It is the remains of a merchant's house, where the ground floor was originally used for storage and the upper floor served as living quarters. The building originally stood on the quayside. After the French raid of 1338, the west wall was incorporated into the city defenses. The roof was removed in the early 20th century. The structure is two storeys high and built of stone. The north and west arcades feature original 12th century windows with two round-headed lights in round-arched frames. The west facade includes blocked archways that once led directly to the quays, consisting of one 12th century round-headed arch and two early 14th century segmental-headed arches. Within these blocked arches are two vertical defensive slits from the 14th century defenses, which may be the earliest surviving gunports in Britain. Parts of the original stone fireplace on the north side of the first floor remain, including both jambs with inset shafts and scalloped capitals. Additionally, against the east wall is a late Norman chimney from around 1200, removed from No 79A High Street, featuring a long round stone shaft rising from a square base. This house is one of the most complete larger 12th century town houses still standing in the country and is scheduled as an ancient monument.