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Wolvesey Palace
Home of Saxon Bishops
Wolvesey
Castle, or Old Wolvesey Palace as it is sometimes known, has been the site
of the Palace of the Bishops of Winchester since Saxon times. The present
building is largely Norman in date, but the old Saxon buildings were
excavated some years ago. Originally built around 1110, it was
greatly expanded, beautified and fortified by Prince Henry de Blois,
Bishop of Winchester during the Civil War of King Stephen's reign. He was
the most powerful man in the country at the time (even more so than his
brother, the King) though even he was, at one point, besieged in his
castle for several days. In more peaceful centuries, the castle became a
frequent lodging for Royal guests and Queen Mary Tudor and King Philip II
of Spain stayed here before there wedding in the Cathedral.
The inconvenient medievalism of Wolvesey was finally abandoned in the
1680s, when Bishop Morley built himself a fine baroque palace alongside.
Only the castle chapel was incorporated into the new building, and old
Wolvesey fell into ruin. Today it is owned by English Heritage and is open
to the public throughout the summer. The shear bulk of the towers and size
of the great halls still impress.
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