Fortified Britain
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Wells Castle, Bishop’s Palace
- Wells, Somerset.
- Scheduled Monument.
- Grade I Listed Building.
Medieval moated Bishop’s Palace of irregular plan with six towers. Had two octagonal towers, battlements and arrowslits, portcullis chamber and drawbridge chains. Gatehouse faces the cathedral at the north west. Gateway has two rectangular towers.
An outer ward including a hall, chapel and chambers with towers were added.
Residence of the Bishop’s of Bath and Wells.
Bishop Barlow was responsible for much of the demolition of the castle.
909 Athlem was Bishop of Wells.
924 Wufhelm was Bishop of Wells.
927 Alfheah was Bishop of Wells.
938 Berhthaln was Bishop of Wells.
956 Berhthelm was Bishop of Wells.
974 Cynward was Bishop of Wells.
977 c: Sigagar was Bishop of Wells.
997 Alfwine was Bishop of Wells.
999 Lyfing was Bishop of Wells.
1015 c: Athelvin was Bishop of Wells.
1024 Britwin/g was Bishop of Wells.
1033 Dudue was Bishop of Wells.
1061 Giso was Bishop of Wells.
1088 John de Villula was Bishop of Bath.
1123 Godfrey was Bishop of Bath.
1136 Robert of Lewes was Bishop of Bath.
1174 Reginald Fitz Jocelyn was Bishop of Bath.
1192 Savorie Fitz Goldwin was Bishop of Glastonbury.
1206 Jocelin of Wells was Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury.
1210 c: Started by Bishop Jocelyn.
1216-1272 During: Built by Bishop Joceline including the main entrance.
1230 c: Restored and divided.
1244 Roger of Salisbury was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1265 Walter Gifford was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1267 William Bytton was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1275 Robert Burnell was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1280 c: Great Hall built.
1285 Licence to crenellate granted to Robert Burnell, who made a quadrangular moat with rampart walls made of earth. A battlemented wall stood on top of the ramparts, including four towers at the corners and half towers projecting from the curtain.
1293 William de la March was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
13th C Central block with main buildings built. Chapel.
1302 Walter Haselshaw was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1309 John Drokensford was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1329 Ralph of Shrewsbury was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1331 Fortified by the Bishop of Wells.
1341 c: Licence to crenellate granted to Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury.
1363 John Barnet was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1367 John Harewell was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1387 Walter Skirlaugh was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1388 Ralph Erghum was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
14th C c: Wall built by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury.
1400 Richard Clifford was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1401 Henry Bowett was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1407 Nicholas Bubwith was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1425 John Stafford was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1443 Thomas Beckington was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1466 Robert Stillington was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
1492 Richard Fox was Bishop of Bath and Wells.
15th C Fireplace. Stone well house.
15th -16th C North wing remodeled by Bishop Bekynton.
1540-1546 Itinerary of John Leland: Normal use.
16th C Roof stripped. Fireplace.
1810 Modified by Bishop Beadon.
1825-1826 Bishop Law ruined part of the building.
1846 Restored by Benjamin Ferrey.
19th C Path built.
20th C Ruined and roofless. Chapel intact. Building constructed in the narrow courtyard of the Bishop’s House.