A Travelling Lifestyle

Wolvesey was just one of many grand houses and castles owned by the bishops of Winchester, who spent much of their time travelling in order to carry out their diocesan duties.

The medieval diocese of Winchester covered Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. The bishops owned many grand houses across this area, including six castles Medieval England and Wales was divided into 21 dioceses, or areas of church administration, each under the control of a bishop. The bishops were responsible for overseeing the clergy and most of the monasteries in their diocese, imposing discipline, and carrying out orders from royal or church superiors.

The bishops were constantly on the move, travelling between their estates and attending the royal court – many of them were important royal officials. Travelling with them would have been a household of perhaps 50 to100 officials and servants, together with the bishop’s belongings and moveable furniture.

Wolvesey continued in declining use as an episcopal house until the 1680s, when it was abandoned in favour of a new palace built adjacent to the medieval site by Bishop George Morley (1662–84). Although largely demolished in 1786, the west wing remains the current bishop’s residence.