The Archbishop'S Palace

The Archbishop's Palace, begun in 1348 by Archbishop Ufford and completed by Archbishop Islip between 1349 and 1366, was later enlarged in 1486 by Archbishop Morton. In the 16th century, it was exchanged with Henry VIII and subsequently granted to Sir Thomas Wyatt. Following his son’s rebellion, the palace was forfeited to the Crown and granted to Sir John Astley, who built much of the present house in the second half of the 16th century.

The principal part of the building is constructed of ashlar, with timber-framed wings at the north and south ends. It is an E-shaped structure with two storeys and attics, featuring five windows and two dormers on the north-west front. A stringcourse runs along the facade, topped by a parapet. Windows are fitted with stone mullions and transoms. Large dormers project on the east wings, incorporating kneelers, coping, and finials over the apices. The roof is tiled. The central projection includes a porch with a round-headed arch and a room above.

To the south is a timber-framed wing, flush with the southern projection of the main facade, displaying one large and one small gable with pendants. Casement windows are present. At the north end, a wing has a stone ground floor and a timber-framed upper storey with diagonal braces and plaster infill, topped by a gable with a pendant. The ground floor features one obtusely pointed window and one square-headed window containing two cinquefoil-headed lights. A sash window, retaining its original glazing bars, sits above them. A further recessed wing lies to the north, predominantly stone-faced, but with a projecting first-floor section which appears to be timber-framed, possibly a modern reconstruction.

The south-west front, facing the Medway, features a fine stone oriel window with three tiers of six lights, stone mullions and transoms, and chamfered stone corbelling beneath. Various double or triple lancet windows with hood mouldings are also present. The interior retains 16th-century panelling and fine fireplaces made of wood or stone.

The palace is part of a group value context including a gateway and wall to the palace gardens, walls to the north-west and east, the dungeons, gate house, Len Bridge, tithe barn, parish church of All Saints, walls to the north and west of the church, the college gateway and tower, the Master's house and tower, Cutbush Almshouses, and a ruined gateway.