The Early Palace

There has been a bishop's residence at Wolvesey for over 150 years.

In the 12th century the south-east corner of Winchester, bounded by the old Roman city wall, was dominated by the bishop's residence, the cathedral and St. Mary's monastery

© English Heritage. The bishop of Winchester once lived as part of the community of monks who served the cathedral church. However, by the 10th century, the increasingly public role of the bishop meant that an enclosed monastery life was impractical.

Aethelwold I (963–84) was the first bishop to live separately from the cathedral. Little is known about his Anglo-Saxon residence, which lay to the north of the present palace, but it probably included a hall, residential accommodation and a chapel.

The first stone building on this site was built in about 1110 by Bishop William Giffard (1107–29). This west hall block is today largely buried beneath the baroque palace. However, the ruins of the northern end have survived.

Raised up on the first floor to give the building an imposing appearance, these rooms served as the bishop’s private chambers, but were also frequently occupied by royal guests. At one end was a three-storey tower, and to the side was a raised garden from which the cathedral could be viewed.