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) |