Wolvesey Castle

Old Bishop's Palace

History

Wolvesey Castle, also known as the Old Bishop's Palace, was the residence of the Bishops of Winchester and played an important role in England's ecclesiastical and political history.

The Romans first occupied the site, building on the eyot, or tiny island, in the River Itchen. Bishop Æthelwold of Winchester built the first palace here around 970, beginning Wolvesey's role as the bishop's official residence. The first palace was made of wood and included a hall, residential quarters, and a chapel. Around 1100, William Giffard, the second Norman Bishop of Winchester, built a new stone hall, the West Hall, within the palace. It served as private chambers and hosted royal guests.

Gifford's successor was Henry of Blois, King Stephen's brother. He created most of the surviving castle and added a piped water supply, one of the earliest examples in a medieval building in England. He also added the East Hall, kitchens, a chapel, and ranges. By 1170, the castle complex was arranged around an inner courtyard and surrounded by a moat.

During the Anarchy, Winchester was besieged in 1141 during the Rout of Winchester by Empress Matilda, Stephen's rival for the crown. She took Winchester Castle and the city, but Wolvesey Castle held out for three weeks until Stephen's wife, Queen Matilda, relieved it. Afterward, Henry of Blois added a curtain wall, towers, stables, and gatehouses. These changes gave the palace defensive features and converted it from a palace to a castle, though it remained a residence.

During the First Barons' War, Louis of France besieged Wolvesey Castle in June 1216. Oliver FitzRegis, an illegitimate son of King John of England, defended the castle.

In 1403, Wolvesey Castle hosted the wedding feast of Henry IV and Joan of Navarre. Later, Henry V used the castle to receive French ambassadors in 1415, before the Battle of Agincourt.

On July 25th, 1554, the castle hosted the wedding breakfast of Queen Mary I and King Philip II of Spain in the East Hall. They were married in nearby Winchester Cathedral.

During the English Civil War, Parliamentarian forces destroyed Wolvesey Castle in 1646. Today, English Heritage manages the site.

Castle Highlights

Wolvesey Castle often gets overlooked as a tourist destination, as Winchester also has Winchester Castle and Winchester Cathedral. Even so, it is worth a visit, and substantial ruins remain, mostly from the time of Henry of Blois.

You can see large portions of the curtain wall, parts of the East Hall, and some towers and gatehouses. Inside, the foundations of many other buildings give a sense of the castle's layout and scale.

You can explore Wolvesey Castle in 1 or 2 hours. It is in the city of Winchester, not far from Winchester Cathedral. To make a full day of medieval history, I suggest spending the whole day in Winchester, starting with the Great Hall of Winchester Castle. Then walk down High Street, where one of the medieval towers from the old city wall remains, before visiting Winchester Cathedral and then Wolvesey Castle.