Founded in the 12th century by Bishop Henry de Blois, Winchester Palace served as the Bishop’s private retreat from the stresses of medieval governance. Most of the palace was destroyed by fire in 1814, and all that remains is part of the Palace’s Great Hall. The ruins consist of doors that once led to the buttery, pantry and kitchen, as well as the magnificent 13 ft. rose window standing high above its west gable. The Great Hall would have been lavishly decorated and was often used to entertain Royal guests, such as James I of Scotland and Joan Beaufort who held their wedding feast at the Palace in 1424. Winchester Palace was one of the largest and most important buildings in medieval London, and the rest of the palace housed several buildings including a brew-house, butchery, tennis court, bowling alley, pleasure gardens, and the notorious Clink Prison.
- Winchester Palace
- Clink Street, Southwark, London SE1 9DG
- http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
- Underground: London Bridge