Record Details
MonUID: | MST192 |
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HER Number: | 00192 |
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Type of record: | Monument |
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Name: | Cathedral Close Defences |
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Summary
The scheduled remains of the north-east corner tower and wall forming part of the early 14th century defences around the Cathedral Close. The remains of the moat is also visible, this probably having been dug in the mid 12th century.
Monument Type(s):
- MOAT (Norman - 1135 AD? to 1164 AD?)
- PRECINCT WALL (MEDIEVAL - 1299 AD? to 1334 AD?)
- TOWER (MEDIEVAL - 1299 AD? to 1334 AD?)
Associated Events:
- EST1271 - A building recording survey of the Cathedral Close Wall, Minster Pool, Lichfield.
- EST251 - A historic building survey of St. Mary's House, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
- EST256 - An archaeological watching brief a St. Mary's House, Lichfield, December 1989. (NRHE Name - St Mary's House, The Close)
- EST541 - Un-named event/activity
- EST916 - An archaeological evaluation at Lichfield Cathedral School, Lichfield, September 1993. (NRHE Name - Lichfield Cathedral School)
- EST3331 - An archaeological watching brief at Lichfield Cathedral School, July 2009. (NRHE Name - Lichfield Cathedral School) (Ref: Report No. 581)
- EST3495 - An archaeological evaluation at St Chad's Cathedral School, Lichfield, 1987. (NRHE Name - St Chads Cathedral School)
Protected Status:
- Listed Building (II*) 1194878: Bastion to North East Angle and attached walls of garden of former Episcopal Palace
- Scheduled Monument 1006089: NE corner tower, wall and ditch of close defences
Full description
Ditch / Wall / Tower: The ditch, corner tower and much rebuilt walls of The Close defences, built under Bishop Langton in the early 13th century. Although much refaced with brick, no doubt the base and core of the wall is original. The tower is octagonal with vaulted or corbelled base - this may be a Civil War alteration. The tower is much patched and buttressed. High defensive ditch. Evidence of Civil War siege in the form of cannon balls found here. <1>
Hexagonal bastion, circa 1300, at the north intersection of The Close precinct walls. Sandstone rubble, largely restored in brick. Doorway in the south face and dog-leg flight of stone steps lead down to hexagonal chamber within, having arched stone roof and two narrow window openings. The bastion crown, now turfed, is level with the wall walks and has plain low parapet walls. A corresponding tower survives at the east corner of the fortifications (see PRN 07522). <2>
The moat was probably constructed around three sides of the Close in the mid 12th century and is probably the work of Bishop Roger de Clinton. In 1299 a licence was granted for the building of a crenelated stone wall. (DAL, 01/02/2011) <3>
Bishop Langton (1296-1321) carried out extensive work on the Cathedral notably the addition of the Lady Chapel. In the Close he greatly strengthened the fortifications and built a new palace. (DAL, 01/02/2011) <4>
The majority of The Close, including the south gateway excavated in 1987-1990 (PRN 02029), the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close, St Mary's House and the cathedral, is not covered by the Scheduling.
Sources and further reading
<1> | SST3723 - Designation Record: Department for Culture Media and Sport / English Heritage. Ongoing-2016. Scheduled Monument Designation Documents, Scheduled Monument Consents and Section 17 Management Agreements. A.M. 7 (M.W.T. 1969). |
<2> | SST372 - Designation Record: Department of the Environment. Ongoing. Listed Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Importance (Green and Blue Backs). |
<3> | SST3638 - Published Book: The Victoria History of the Counties of England. 1970. (VCH volume 3) A History of the County of Stafford, volume III.. Page 143 and Page 150. |
<4> | SST3623 - Published Book: The Victoria History of the Counties of England. 1990. (VCH volume 14) A History of the County of Stafford, Volume XIV, Lichfield.. Page 11. |
<5> | SST3202 - Evaluation Report: Bob Meeson (Staffordshire County Council). 1993. Archaeological evaluation at Lichfield Cathedral School, September 1993. 7J. |
<6> | SST2974 - Building Recording Report: Warwick Rodwell. 1988. St. Mary's House, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire: A Provisional Account of its Architectural History (based upon observations made during restoration, 1988). |
<7> | SST4091 - Drawn: G. Reffin, A. Deakin, A. Rowley, N.Smith, I. Roland, L.Barlow and P. Selo. 1988/1989. Minster Pool, Lichfield: Cathedral Close Wall. Permatrace. 1:10. |
Related records
07375 | Parent of: Dr Milley's Hospital, Lichfield (Building) |
07522 | Parent of: St Mary's House, The Close, Lichfield (Building) |
02029 | Part of: Lichfield Cathedral Close (Monument) |
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