Remains of King's Court Palace

United Kingdom / England / Gillingham /
 palace, ruins, scheduled ancient monument
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A royal palace that was demolished (1369) by King Edward III. Ditch of moat and some mounds are the only remains.
Gillingham was recorded as a royal manor in the Domesday survey. Henry I issued a charter in 1132, suggesting a residence at the site by that date. King John ordered extensive alterations to the house which were begun in 1199 and completed by 1203 when a feast was held to mark the opening of the castle. He visited the site every year until 1214. Further additions, alterations and repairs were made in Henry III's reign between 1249 and 1260 which included the construction of the moat, curtain wall, drawbridge and gatehouse, and a hedge around the courtyard which was later replaced by oak railings. Further repairs are recorded up to 1354. In 1369 Edward III ordered the demolition of the buildings and the sale of the materials. In the late 18th century foundations of the building were dug up and the stone used for road repairs.
list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=10172...
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
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Coordinates:   51°2'9"N   2°15'38"W
This article was last modified 9 years ago