Banstead Dower House

Has been described as a Certain Palace (Royal)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameBanstead Dower House
Alternative Names
Historic CountrySurrey
Modern AuthoritySurrey
1974 AuthoritySurrey
Civil ParishBanstead

Excavation in 1974 by S Nelson in Banstead churchyard, showed evidence for the site of the manor buildings known to have been occupied by Hubert de Burgh from 1217, and the Crown before 1275. A ditch, and pit contained late 13th century pottery, and may be linked with the restyling of the buildings by Edward I in 1275/6. The flint walls were heavily robbed to some depth. The demolition rubble contained late 16th to early 17th century material (Nelson). The one time manor of Hugh de Burgh was acquired from his son, John de Burgh, in 1273. Edward I granted it in dower to his first Queen Eleanor, in 1275. Over the next 8 years he added new chambers, a cloister in timber, stables and a well-house. The hall and kitchens were prepared for the King's visit in 1276-7. Until 1363, the house was granted as a dower house to successive consorts. In 1376, it was granted to Sir Nicholas carew for life (HKW). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Royal palace, 1273 -1376, usually held by queens in dower.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTQ255596
Latitude51.3216705322266
Longitude-0.200350001454353
Eastings525500
Northings159600
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Colvin, H.M., Brown, R.Allen and Taylor, A.J., 1963, The history of the King's Works Vol. 2: the Middle Ages (London) p. 896-8
  • Lambert, H.C.M., 1931, History of Banstead Vol. 2 p. 2
  • Malden, H.E. (ed), 1911, VCH Surrey Vol. 3 p. 252- online transcription

Journals

  • Nelson, S., 1974, Bulletin of the Surrey Archaeological Society Vol. 105 p. 4

Primary Sources

  • C145/130(11) (survey 1336) The National Archives reference (in Maxwell Lyte, H.C., 1916, Calendar of Inquisitions Miscellaneous (Chancery), preserved in the Public Record Office (H.M.S.O.) Vol. 2 p. 371 No. 1511 [online copy > https://archive.org/stream/calendarofinqu02grea#page/370/mode/2up])