The Bishop’s CameraThe Bishop’s ChapelThe GatehouseThe Great HallThe Great StairThe Norman ChapelThe Old KitchenThe Tudor WingWaynflete's Tower

Printable version of this page Historical associations and nearly continuous occupancy make the Bishop’s Palace at Farnham Castle one of the most important buildings in south-east England. A mixture of architectural styles – primarily early Norman, Tudor and Restoration – are seen in the complex of Grade I and II listed buildings. In almost continuous use for more than 800 years, these buildings are still actively used today. They draw a continuum from the past into the future. The Grade I listed buildings include: • the Great Hall (Norman with Restoration renovations) • the Norman Chapel • the Bishop’s ‘Camera’ (Norman with Restoration, Georgian and Victorian renovations) • Waynflete’s Tower also know as Fox's Tower (late medieval brick) • the Bishop’s Chapel (Restoration) • the Gatehouse and outer curtain wall (medieval) In addition, there is a Grade II listed 18th century stable block. Beginnings It is generally accepted that construction of Farnham Castle began about 1138. A definitive date is difficult to give. • No Saxon remains have been uncovered at the site. It is doubtful the Saxon bishops had a residence in Farnham. The last Anglo-Saxon bishop was Stigand, replaced in 1070 by the first Norman bishop, Walkelin (1070 – 1098). • After the Norman Conquest, castle building began all over England to help hold the conquered country. Reigate, Bletchingly and Guildford all had castles before the end of the 11th century. Would Bishop Walkelin have needed a castle at Farnham? • Archaeologists suggest the artificial motte might have been made about 1078. But in 1086, the Domesday Book does not record a castle at Farnham. • The Winchester Annals, written in the 1190s, state in 1138 Bishop Henry of Blois (1129 – 1171) “built castles at Merdon, Farnham, Waltham, Downtown and Taunton”. Excavation work undertaken (though not at Farnham Castle) suggests construction began earlier on some of these, probably by Bishop Giffard (1100 – 1129). • The Annals of Waverley Abbey (about two miles from Farnham Castle) record the abbey land being given by Bishop Giffard ‘near his castle’. • In 1138, England faced civil war. Bishop Henry’s work at Farnham Castle may have been a timely refurbishment or extension of work started by Bishop Giffard. The Keep The first castle was a square tower on a conical mound, a ‘ motte and bailey ’. The present outer curtain wall stands on earthwork that encircled the tower, mound and a courtyard. The courtyard probably sheltered domestic buildings. About 1155, Henry II commanded the tower pulled down. Rebuilding of the castle defences occurred during the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. Instead of building another square tower on top, the bishops encased the earthen mound in stone – a rare example of a shell keep. The Medieval and Tudor Palace The Castle served as fortress, accommodation and administrative centre for the manor of Farnham. The Palace buildings continued to be developed by the bishops. This ensured their survival. It also covered up or destroyed evidence of earlier building work. As with the Keep, exact dating of the buildings of the Bishop’s Palace is difficult. • Dendrochronology dates an oak pillar in the Great Hall to 1180. • The Norman Chapel may be older. The first Pipe Roll of the Bishops of Winchester from 1208 describes the chapel as ‘old’. • The kitchen, alterations to the Chapel, the Bishop’s Camera (drawing room) and the Gate House are attributed to the thirteenth century. The pipe rolls show the Castle complete in its major parts by that time. • The outer wall of stone belongs to the fourteenth century. In the late medieval and Tudor periods, additions included a new brick entrance tower and guest accommodation in the Inner Court. Civil War and Restoration Locally, the castle played a prominent part in the English Civil War. After the war, Cromwell ordered the Keep slighted. The Castle was sold and left neglected and unused. In 1660, England restored the monarchy and the Anglican bishops. The Bishop’s Palace at Farnham now became the chief residence of the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop Morley carried out extensive alterations and repairs. He refitted the interior of the medieval Great Hall, installed the grand staircase and built the Bishop’s Chapel. Today Later bishops continued to repair and modify the Bishop’s Palace. But as the wealth of the diocese shrank, maintaining the castle became more difficult. When Farnham was transferred to the newly created Diocese of Guildford, the future of the Castle was in doubt. In 1931, Mrs. Anderson raised £18,000 for urgent restoration work. In 1962, Farnham Castle International Briefing and Conference Centre (then the Overseas Service College) leased the unoccupied Bishop’s Palace from the Church Commissioners. One of the objectives of FCIBCC is the “repair or restoration of Farnham Castle which is of historic and architectural interest.” A recent Heritage Lottery Fund Grant has allowed major repair and renovation works to be undertaken. These will help ensure the Bishop’s Palace continues to be part of English history.