BISHOP'S CASTLE

North Elmham, Norfolk

Bishop's Castle, North Elmham, Norfolk

"Bishop's Castle" is an almost totally incorrect description of this building.

For many years it was regarded as the ruins of a Saxon Cathedral. More recently the verdict is that it was an early Norman church.  It fell into disuse and was purchased by Hugh le Despenser, a Bishop of Norwich who turned it into a hunting lodge, making a hall out of the nave and a solar from the transept.

In 1388 he obtained a licence to crenellate, but his efforts don't seem to have amount to much more than building a big ditch and rampart around the site.

So . . . neither a Castle, nor really a Cathedral...although a Bishop did briefly occupy the place!

The site is owned by English Heritage and freely accessible in daylight hours.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001

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