Lamphey Bishop's Palace
| Lamphey Bishop's Palace | |
|---|---|
 part of the ruins of the palace in 2006 | |
 | |
| Alternative names | Lamphey Court |
| General information | |
| Status | ruined |
| Type | medieval palace |
| Location | Lamphey |
| Address | SA71 5NT |
| Town or city | Lamphey, Pembrokeshire |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°40′18″N 4°52′01″W / 51.67176°N 4.86704°W |
| Elevation | approx. 12m |
| Owner | Cadw |
Lamphey Bishop's Palace also sometimes historically known as Lamphey Court is a ruined medieval building complex in Lamphey, Pembrokeshire. The complex is a scheduled ancient monument and has Grade I Listed building designation, having been listed in May 1970[1]
History
Whilst early thirteenth century fragments from the old hall still exist,[1] the palace, including the 25 metres (82 ft) great hall, was largely constructed under Bishop Henry de Gower, Bishop of St David's (1328-1347) and was used by high-ranking clergy.[2] The palace was built in three stages and originally had over 20 rooms and featured fishponds, orchards, fruit and herb gardens and areas of parkland with grazing deer.[3][4] Bishop Vaughan was responsible for adding a first floor chapel on the north side of Lamphey Hall in the early 16th century.
The palace was surrendered to the crown in 1546 during the reign Henry VIII and granted to Richard Devereux and subsequently the Earls of Essex.[1] Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex lived in the palace as a child.[5] The palace was sold to the Owens of Orielton in 1683, possibly due to damage in the English Civil War. The buildings were possibly used for farm purposes in this era.[1]
Gallery
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Engraving from 1774. -
Engraving from 1815. -
Engraving from circa 1830. -
A tower in 2008. -
The undercroft in 2013.
