More information : (SU 14392940) Bishop's Palace (NR) (School) (1)
The Bishop's Palace grew from the first bishops' residence
which was established by 1219. The original building was added
to and altered by succeeding bishops (2) between the 15th/18th
C's (3), the most striking feature being a late 15th/early 16th
C tower and turret. Part of the original building survives in
the vaulted undercroft, restored in 1889. In 1947 the palace
became the Cathedral School (2). Gd 1 MHLG. (2,3)
1594 THE CLOSE Cathedral School (formerly listed as Bishop's Palace)
SU 1429 SW 5/58 28.2.52
I GV
2.
Very fine picturesque complex, consisting in part of Bishop
Beauchamp's and his successors circa 1460-1500 and in part
Bishop Seth Ward's of 1670-4 with late C18 and C19 alterations.
Irregular building of flint and stone and ashlar, some
crenellation. Old tile roofs.
The north and entrance front is mainly of the middle C15, with the
original Palace buildings on the West side, then dating from
early C13, with the Great Hall on the 1st floor and running
north and south. This room later altered to a drawing room in
C18, with a large Palladian window at each end and in the
middle of the west side. The middle portion of the building
contains the former dining hall, later entrance hall with
chapel above; and to the east the square entrance Tower and
later Great Hall behind it, probably built between 1450-80.
On the south side considerable additions of a plain character
were made in the late C18, but there is also work of the C17
and early C18.
Interior: an important undercroft, 6 bays with 2 short round
piers carrying circular abaci the heavy single chamfered arches
and ribs. The drawing room replacing the Great Hall dates from
the time of Bishop Sherlock circa 1740. Stucco garlanded frieze
with heads, coved ceiling, centre panel decorated with eagle.
The Venetian windows of this room have Corinthian columns. The
chapel C15 (buttress visible on north front) has straight
headed windows, moulded beams to ceiling. Jacobean stalls and
communion rails with flat open work balusters, and screen.
Grand staircase installed by Seth Ward rising in 2 flights and
returning one repeated for 2nd floor. Turned balusters, solid
string.
The building forms a unique group with the Cathedral.
All the listed buildings in the Close form an outstanding group.
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