Maidstone Archbishops Palace
Has been described as a Certain Palace (Bishop)
There are major building remains
| Name | Maidstone Archbishops Palace |
| Alternative Names | Maideston |
| Historic Country | Kent |
| Modern Authority | Kent |
| 1974 Authority | Kent |
| Civil Parish | Maidstone |
The Archbishop's Palace. Begun by Archbishop Ufford in 1348. Completed by Archbishop Islip between 1349 and 1366. Enlarged by Archbishop Morton in 1486. Exchanged by Archbishop Crarmer with Henry VIII for other property. By Henry VIII it was granted to Sir Thomas Wyatt. On his son's rebellion it was forfeited to the Crown and subsequently granted to Sir John Astley, who built the greater part of the existing house in the 2nd half of the C16. The main portion of the building is of ashlar with timber-framed wings at the north and south ends. The main section is E-shaped. 2 storeys and attics. 5 windows and 2 dormers to the north-vest front. Stringcourse. Parapet. Windows with stone mullions and transoms. 2 large dormers above the outer-projecting east wings with kneelers, coping and finials over the apices and kneelers. Tiled roof. The centre projection is the porch with round-headed arch and room over. At the south end of the building is a timber-framed wing nearby flush with the southern projection of the main front. This has one large and one small gable with pendants. Casement windows. At the north end of the building is a wing with stone ground floor and timber-framed upper storey with diagonal braces and plaster infill, surmounted by a gable with pendant. On the ground floor there is one obtusely pointed window and 1 square headed window containing 2 cinquefoil-headed lights. One sash window above them with glazing bars intact. To the north of this again is a further recessed wing wholly faced with stone but with a portion projecting on the 1st floor apparently timber framed but this is modern or a reconstruction. The south-west front of the Palace facing the Medway has a fine stone corbelled oriel window with 3 tiers of 6 lights, stone mullions and transoms and chamfered stone corbelling beneath. Also there are some double or triple lancets with hood moulding. The interior contains C16 panelling and some fine C16 wood or stone fireplaces
(Listed Building Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | TQ759554 |
| Latitude | 51.2709503173828 |
| Longitude | 0.520659983158112 |
| Eastings | 575930 |
| Northings | 155440 |
