| Winchester Hall | |
| Location: | London |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | Southwark |
| Built: | 12th century |
| Architectural style(s): | Medieval Tudor |
| Governing body: | English Heritage |
| Scheduled monument | |
| Reference #: | Grade II |
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Location of Winchester Hall in Greater London
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Winchester Palace was a twelfth century palace, London residence of the Bishops of Winchester.[1][2] It is located south of the River Thames in Southwark, near the medieval priory which today has become Southwark Cathedral.
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Southwark was the largest town in the old diocese of Winchester and the bishop was a major landowner in the area. He was also a power in the land (Winchester being the old Saxon capital), and regularly needed to be in London on royal or administrative state business. For that purpose, Henry of Blois built the palace as his comfortable and high-status London residence.
The palace remained in use until the 17th century, when it was divided into tenements and warehouses, but was mostly destroyed by fire in 1814. Part of the great hall, and the west gable end with its rose window became more visible after a 19th century fire and 20th century redevelopment. It is believed that the great hall was built c.1136 and that the rose window was added 200 years later. The hall had a vaulted cellar below with direct access to the river wharf for bringing in wares, and was richly decorated. It often entertained royal visitors, including James I of Scotland on his wedding to Joan Beaufort (niece of the then bishop, Cardinal Henry Beaufort) in 1424.
The rest of the palace was arranged around two courtyards. It other buildings within the site included a prison, brewery and a butchers. The bishops also had access to a tennis court, bowling alley and a garden.
Associated with the palace was the Liberty of the Clink which also lay on the south bank of the River Thames. Within its precincts was the notorious Clink prison ( phrase "in the clink"). The Bishop of Winchester also had the power to license prostitutes within the liberty. The "Winchester geese", as they were known, lived and worked in Southwark under the bishop's regulation even though prostitution was completely banned north of the river in City of London.
The remains are listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. They are managed by English Heritage.