Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 411661
Hob Uid: 411661
Location : Greater London Authority Havering Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ5200093900
Summary : Site of Pirgo Palace. Trial excavations in 1973 revealed walling foundations, along with a heavy scatter of 16th century brick. The layout of the palace is unclear, although it included a chapel with burials which were translated before the chapel and wings were demolished circa 1778. The remainder of the house was demolished in 1814.
More information : [TQ 52039396]. PIRGO PALACE [LB] (site of) (1) A palace at Pirgo, built before 1226, belonged to the Queens of England. During Tudor times the building fell into disrepair, and it was demolished in 1773. Terraces at Pyrgo Park are probably former gardens. (2-5) (TQ 5204 9392) No trace of Pirgo Palace survives on the surface which is at present under plough, though a heavy scatter of 16th. century brick is visible. Trial excavation by E.Sellers in 1973 located walling foundations in the same area. Site surveyed at 1/2500. (6) (TQ 521939). The layout of Pirgo Palace and grounds is unclear other than that the main structures lay to the north and north-west of Home Farm. The developed palace included a chapel with burials of the C16-17 which were translated before the chapel and wings of the house were demolished c. 1778. The remainder of the house was demolished 1814. A Victorian mansion, Pirgo Park, was erected in 1851 on the site of a farmhouse south east of the Tudor building but was demolished in 1940 (11). Observation by E and J Sellars of the north moat (not located on plan) showed it to be retained by a wall. A building south of it may have been an orangery. Other post-medieval brick foundations and a drain extended east to a copse. Pottery of the C12-13 was also recovered. (7-11)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1961.
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Morant P. 1768. Hist Essex, 1
Page(s) : 59-61
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Clapham. 1913. Famous Buildings
Page(s) : 146
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Nichols. Hist Leicestershire, 3, 1804
Page(s) : 675
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Source Number : 5
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Page(s) : 126
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : F1 PAS 10-SEP-75
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Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : 194
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Vol(s) : 16, 1972

Source Number : 8
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Page(s) : 174
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Vol(s) : 17, 1973

Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 70
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Vol(s) : 17, 1978

Source Number : 10
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Page(s) : 151
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Built before 1226
Monument End Date : 1226
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Palace
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Disrepair in Tudor period
Monument End Date : 1603
Monument Start Date : 1485
Monument Type : Palace
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Building demolished 1778-1814
Monument End Date : 1814
Monument Start Date : 1778
Monument Type : Palace
Evidence : Demolished Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 59 SW 11
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1971-01-01
End Date : 1971-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1971-01-01
End Date : 1972-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1975-09-10
End Date : 1975-09-10

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 411661