Lincoln Bishops Palace

In the civil parish of Lincoln. In the historic county of Lincolnshire (Modern Authority of Lincolnshire, 1974 county of Lincolnshire).

Possible originally in Castle and represented by Lucy Tower, but moved out to north of Cathedral and later to south of cathedral. Bishops palace is now ruined, construction begun in circa 1155-8 and was completed in 1224. It was repaired when a licence to crenellate was granted in 1329. It was rebuilt in 1436-1449. The outer gateway was built in 1496-1514. The palace was partly demolished in 1648 and 1725 with restoration carried out in 1836. The new palace known as Edward King House was built in 1727. The inner gate was built in the early C19. The palace was remodelled in gothic style in 1886 with a chapel added in 1898. The extension to the north is mid C20. The ruins are scheduled, listed Grade 1 and in guardianship. The outer gate is also listed Grade 1 whilst the inner gate is Grade 2. The latter palace is listed Grade 2*.

A Royal licence to crenellate was granted in 1329 Sept 28.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SK97797168

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape Defra ELS number; 326698

• Web site links
  • http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/121/bishopspalace.htm
    http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.64
• Books
  • Thompson, M.W., 2004, 'The early topography of the castle' in Lindley, Philip (ed),The Early History of Lincoln Castle, Occasional Papers in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology 12 (Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology)
    Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern) p53
    Emery, Anthony, 2000, Greater Medieval Houses Vol2 (Cambridge) p269
    Thompson, M.W., 1998, Medieval bishops' houses in England and Wales (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing) p1-2, 33, 38, 40-1, 132, 167, 178
    Jones, S., 1990, The Survey of Ancient Houses in Lincoln p105-118
    Pevsner, N., 1989, The Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (London, Penguin) p514
    Chapman, H., Coppack, G. and Drewett, P., 1975, Excavations at the Bishop's Palace, Lincoln 1968-72, Occasional Papers in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology 1 (Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology)
    Timbs, J. and Gunn, A., 1872, Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales Vol3 (London) p14-6
    Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p228409
• Journal Articles
  • Coulson, C., 1982, 'Hierarchism in Conventual Crenellation: An Essay in the Sociology and Metaphysics of Medieval Fortification' Medieval Archaeology Vol26 p69-100 [downloadable via http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/resources.html?medarch]
    Faulkner, P.A., 1974, 'Lincoln Old Bishop's Palace' Archaeological Journal Vol131 p340-4
    1909, Archaeological Journal Vol66 p357
    Willson, E.J., 1850, 'The Ancient Episcopal Palace, Lincoln' Proceedings of the Royal Archaeological Institute p1-18
• Guidebooks
  • Coppack, Glyn, 2000, Medieval Bishop’s Palace, Lincoln (English Heritage)
    Ambrose, T., 1980, The Bishop's Palace, Lincoln (Lincolnshire Museums Information Sheet, Archaeological Series No18)
• Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents - This section is far from complete and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
  • Calendar of Patent Rolls (1327-30) p453-4