| Summary : Remains of the medieval residence of the Bishops of Durham. The site was granted to the bishops in 1086 and held by them until the late 16th century. The medieval layout comprised ranges of buildings set around an irregular courtyard. The north range contained the gate; the east the bishops' lodgings, chapel, oratory, chambers and guest rooms and the south the great hall, service rooms, kitchen and a second gate. The majority of the buildings were demolished in the late 16th century but part of the courtyard wall, the great hall, the southern gateway and two further medieval buildings survive. The great hall and porch were built by Bishop Skirlaw between 1388 and 1405 on the site of an earlier aisled hall. Bishop Skirlaw's hall was a tall, single storey building entered through a two storey, vaulted porch. The hall was floored in the late 16th century, further altered in the 18th/early 19th century and restored in 1983-5. The medieval moat and fishpond survive as landscaped earthworks in a park. |
More information : [SE 7488 2818].THE BISHOP'S MANOR HO [GT]
FISH POND [GT] MOAT [GT]. (1)
The remains of the Bishop's Manor House at Howden, situated immediately S.E. of the church, consist of Cardinal Langley's gateway immediately west of the Vicarage and Bishop Skirlaw's building, the structure of which is represented by Mr. Kettlewells house to the east of the Vicarage, the present dairy being the porch of the great hall. The fruit-house, standing on a little bridge crossing the moat, is also mediaeval, but has been much altered. (2)
The Palace or Manor House of the Bishops of Durham at Howden was partly built by Walter Skirlaw (died 1406). After 1634 the building was allowed to decay, and was in part demolished and the material reused. (3)
The moat and the fishpond are now within the limits of a public park and both have been much altered by landscaping, which includes the deepening of their beds and subsequent narrowing of the water features. See photographs. (4)
II* Bishop's Manor House (shewn on Interim List as The Manor House)
C14 and later. North front. Projecting part to right, C14 gatehouse or porch. Two storeys, ashlar. Moulded plinth. Large round headed arch on ground floor, (now glazed), vaulted interior. C14 Gothic door inside. Two light window over archway. Moulded cornice, battlements. Central statue niche. Part to left set back. Mediaeval moulded plinth. Upper part of front wall rebuilt C18. 6 sashes. Bands over windows. Early C19 6-panel door with fanlight and cornice on brackets. Parapet. West front brick and stone, patched. Six various arches on ground floor C14, C16 and C17, different heights and sizes. South front. Two storeys ashlar, four bays, with giant buttresses with moulded bases and gabled tops. C14 pointed large arch on left. 1-2-2-2 cased sashes. Top stones of buttresses missing. Top 4 feet of wall later. C18 hipped slate roof. (Timber also C18). East elevation rubble and brick, all patched. Interior. Plain. C18 staircase on well plan. Features of archaeological interest all covered over. History: the remaining part of a large residence built for occupation by the mediaeval Bishops of Durham. (5)
Programme of survey and excavation before extensive restoration in 1984-5. (6)
Additional references. (7-11)
SE 748 281. Bishop's Manor House. Scheduled No HU/117. (12)
Remains of the medieval residence of the Bishops of Durham. The site was granted to the bishops in 1086 and held by them until the late 16th century. The medieval layout comprised ranges of buildings set around an irregular courtyard. The north range contained the gate; the east the bishops' lodgings, chapel, oratory, chambers and guest rooms and the south the great hall, service rooms, kitchen and a second gate. The majority of the buildings were demolished in the late 16th century but part of the courtyard wall, the great hall, the southern gateway and two further medieval buildings survive. The great hall and porch were built by Bishop Skirlaw between 1388 and 1405 on the site of an earlier aisled hall. Bishop Skirlaw's hall was a tall, single storey building entered through a two storey, vaulted porch. The hall was floored in the late 16th century, further altered in the 18th/early 19th century and restored in 1983-5. (14) |