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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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Lichfield Cathedral Close and Bishop Palace

In the civil parish of Lichfield.
In the historic county of Staffordshire.
Modern Authority of Staffordshire.
1974 county of Staffordshire.
Medieval County of Staffordshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: SK11560991
Latitude 52.68535° Longitude -1.82908°

Lichfield Cathedral Close and Bishop Palace has been described as a Masonry Castle although is doubtful that it was such, and also as a certain Palace, and also as a certain Fortified Ecclesiastical site.

There are masonry footings remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.
This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law*.

Description

St Mary's Vicarage, built in 1710 incorporates the remains of C13 to C14 defensive close wall and tower built by Bishop Walter de Langton, forming its eastern and southern sides. The close was licensed in 1299, 1348 and 1523. Other parts of the Close defences remain. Medieval bishop's palace first documented in 1295, destroyed during the Civil War.

A Royal licence to crenellate was granted in 1299 April 18 (Click on the date for details of this licence.).
A Royal licence to crenellate was granted in 1306 Sept 16.
A Royal licence to crenellate was confirmed in 1348 April 18 .
A Royal licence to crenellate was confirmed in 1523 June 20 .

Comments

Thompson writes "Bishop Langton received, in 1306, a licence to crenellate Beaudesert, Staffs and Ashby, Northants and all episocopal palaces in England." This must include Lichfield and Coventry but probably not Chester. Possible site of Lichfield Castle. Grants of pavage for Lichfield city, in 1306 (for 7 years) and 1312 (for another 7 years) were specifically used for 'enclosing, with a stone wall, the houses of himself and the canons within the precinct of the cathedral church.' The Close was called a castle in 1317.
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:20:09

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