Fulham Palace. Fulham Palace, in Fulham, London, previously in the former English county of Middlesex, is a Grade I listed building with medieval origins and was formerly the principal residence of the Bishop of London. The site was the country home of the bishops from at least the 11th century until 1973. Though still owned by the Church of England, the palace is managed by the Fulham Palace Trust and houses a museum of its long history as well as restored historic rooms. It also has a large botanic garden and is situated next to Bishops Park. The palace garden is listed Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The Palace is open daily and is free to visit. According to figures released by the Fulham Palace Trust, over 390,000 people visited Fulham Palace in 2015/2016. Prehistoric Evidence of prehistoric activity dating to between the late Mesolithic and early Neolithic has been revealed during various archaeological investigations undertaken since the early 1970s. This early activity is not well understood and has mostly been revealed in the form of struck flint. The site appears to have been an isolated eyot within the braided river channel of the River Thames. Later prehistoric activity dating to the Bronze Age has also been revealed in the form of a possible barrow, whilst there is limited evidence for late Iron Age occupation. Roman period After a period of abandonment the site was reoccupied during the late Roman period. Much of the material retrieved is domestic in origin and appears to suggest a small agricultural community was established on the banks of the Thames. There is a possibility that this may have taken the form of a villa on this site or approximate to the neighbouring All Saints Church. Saxon period There is very little evidence for Saxon activity on the Fulham Palace site, although sherds of early Saxon pottery have been recovered. The Manor of Fulham was acquired by Bishop Waldhere from Bishop Tyrhtel in AD 704. It stretched from modern day Chiswick in the west to Chelsea on the east; and from Harlesden in the north west and Kensel Green in the north east. Medieval period The earliest evidence of Medieval life at Fulham Palace was a hearth which dates to around 1080, probably belonging to the Saxo-Norman Manor. Robert de Sigello was held captive at Fulham Palace during The Anarchy, this is the first historical reference to a Bishop of London residing at Fulham Palace. The Medieval Palace was established around what is now the Palace's eastern courtyard. The first reference to the Palace's chapel at this time was from 1231. Plans drawn up by Stiff Leadbetter prior to his redevelopment of the site in the late 18th century locate the chapel and associated buildings beneath much of the 18th century structure which stands today. Although fragments of stonework associated with the chapel have been found, its form remains elusive, with the only description relating to a Parliamentary Survey undertaken by William Dickes during the Civil War in 1647. At some point between 1439 and 1440 Henry VI and his entourage visited. This time it took four days to clean the halls and rooms following his departure. At around the same time shingle board was purchased from Fulham Church in order to repair and cover the hall roof, and palings were repaired between the house husbandrie, great garden, and vyne garden'. A new bucket was also purchased for the well at the cost of 6d. The well is understood to have been built in 1426. Further buildings alluded to include a larder, a hay loft and a stable. Tudor period Substantial alterations were made to the Palace during the late 15th century, a period that witnessed the construction of the current great hall as well as the Tudor Courtyard which still stands today. For many years it was assumed that the development was undertaken by either Bishop Kempe c. 1480 or Bishop Fitzjames, principally because Fitzjames' coat of arms appears on the south side of the Tudor court buildings. In addition, analysis of the timbers within the great hall roof suggests that the oak used was felled in the spring of 1493, whilst the gate to the Tudor arched entrance contains timber felled in the spring of 1495. A two year time frame for such a considerable building project certainly seems appropriate, and if the timber dates are correct then the court and hall were built by Bishop Richard Hill. He would not have had much time to enjoy his new residence however, as he died in 1496. The current building dates from the reign of Henry VII. It was constructed by Bishop Richard FitzJames.
more...