Nonsuch Palace

In the civil parish of Ewell. In the historic county of Surrey (Modern Authority of Surrey, 1974 county of Surrey).

Site of royal palace situated in Nonsuch Little Park. It was constructed in 1538 and comprised two-storey timber framed buildings arranged around interconnecting courtyards. The courts were constructed in contrasting styles, the outer court was described as being `castle like', the inner court `of gothic fabric walls uncomparably beautified'. The stables, barn and bakehouse were constructed in 1598. Parts of the palace were demolished by 1682, the remainder was ruins in 1710. The palace was also described as having elaborate gardens and included a walled Privy Garden, the wilderness and an orchard. Archaeological survey carried out by RCHME field survey between 1993-95 identified earthworks associated with the palace and gardens. The main ranges survived as scarps, however, some partly relate to Biddle's excavation trenches. The two main courts each measure 60 metres square; the gatehouses and the rear of the inner court were marked by granite obelisks. The Palace was aligned on the central axis of the walled Privy Garden, with the north face of the outer court abutting the wall, overlooking a bowling green which survived as a fairly level sub-rectangular mound, with a triangular embankment to the north.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TQ22766313

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 615381
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 1095; 7561; 15097 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_south/176/nonsuch.html
    http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHHER_1095
    http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHHER_7561
    http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHHER_15097
• Books
  • Biddle, Martin, 2005, Nonsuch Palace: the material culture of a noble restoration household (Oxford: Oxbow Books)
    Keevill, Graham D., 2000, Medieval Palaces, An Archaeology (Stroud; Tempus) p1, 30, 47, 56-7, 64, 67, 70, 81, 113, 116-7, 137-9, 141, 155-7, 159, 162-3
    Quilley, Geoffrey, 1996, 'The image of Nonsuch Palace: mythology amd meaning' in Howard, Maurice (ed.), The image of the building: papers from the annual symposium of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain 1995 (London: Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain) p17-36
    Thurley, Simon, 1993, The Royal Palaces of Tudor England (Yale University Press)
    James, T.B., 1990, The Palaces of Medieval England (London; Seaby) p16-9, 24, 160-3, 170, 172, 175-6
    Colvin, H.M., Ransome, D.R. and Summerson, John, 1982, The history of the King's Works, vol4: 1485-1660 (part 2) (London) p179-205
    Dent, J., 1962, The Quest for Nonsuch (London)
    Dent, John, 1959, The excavation of Nonsuch Palace: a pictorial guide (Ewell)
    Willis, C.S., 1931, A short history of Ewell and Nonsuch (Epsom)
    Timbs, J. and Gunn, A., 1872, Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales Vol1 (London) p144-6
• Journal Articles
  • Thurley, Simon, 2005 August 11, 'Nonsuch: A Palace fit for a Prince?' Country Life p42-5
    Biddle, Martin, 1999, 'The gardens of Nonsuch : sources and dating' Garden History Vol27:1 p145-83
    Glanviille, P., 1969, 'Nonsuch : a lost Tudor palace' London Archaeologist Vol1.5 p111-13
    Biddle, M., 1961, 'Nonsuch Palace 1959-60: an interim report' Surrey Archaeological Collections Vol58 p1-21
    Biddle, Martin, 1961, 'Nonsuch Palace' History Today Vol11:3 p206-14
    Littlehales, Henry, 1912, 'The building of Nonsuch House, Surrey : April-September, 1538. (From contemporary notes)' Home Counties Magazine Vol14 p228-32
• Antiquarian (Histories and accounts from late medieval and early modern writers)
  • William Camden, 1607, Britannia [http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/cambrit/barkseng.html#surrey8]