The First Tudor Palace (Esher) | S13E4 | Time Team

Time Team Classics・2 minutes read

A three-day search uncovers the lost remains of Waynflete Tower and Palace, providing insight into its historical significance and architectural design. The excavation reveals a defensive structure resembling a castle with spiral staircases, contributing to a deeper understanding of the site's layout and historical context.

Insights

  • The Waynflete Tower in Surrey, once part of a lavish palace owned by wealthy bishops, has been lost for over 300 years, sparking a three-day search to uncover its remains, showcasing its significance in medieval history.
  • Archaeological efforts, historical records, and dendrochronology are utilized to pinpoint the construction timeline of the tower and palace, revealing a complex defensive structure with spiral staircases, brick floors, and a castle-like design, shedding light on the historical landscape and architectural innovation of the era.

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Recent questions

  • What historical significance does Waynflete Tower hold?

    Waynflete Tower is a symbol of medieval opulence and architectural innovation, representing the wealth and success of the bishops of Winchester during the Tudor era. It was a key part of a lavish palace owned by Bishop William Waynflete, admired by King Henry VIII. The tower's design predates the Tudor period, setting a standard for future brick-built palaces and influencing constructions like Hampton Court. Archaeological efforts focus on uncovering the palace's defensive wall and range of buildings, shedding light on its historical importance.

  • What challenges are faced in the search for Waynflete's palace?

    The search for Waynflete's palace faces challenges due to later demolitions and landscaping that have obscured its remains over the past 300 years. Despite historical records and dendrochronology aiding in pinpointing the construction timeline of the tower and palace, the lack of progress in understanding the palace's layout poses a significant obstacle. Efforts to investigate geophysics in the garden reveal potential structures like a hall and chapel, but the complexity of the site hinders the search for the rest of the palace.

  • What architectural features characterize Waynflete Tower?

    Waynflete Tower boasts unique architectural features that reflect its defensive and castle-like design. The tower's irregular brick sizes challenge typology, with a focus on the relationship between the terraced wall and the gatehouse. The presence of a keep, spiral staircases, and a brick floor linking walls confirm contemporaneity and support the historical surveys describing the site's layout. A window resembling a doorway in the tower suggests a two-story structure with access to a covered walkway, reinforcing its defensive nature.

  • What discoveries shed light on the historical context of Waynflete's palace?

    Discoveries like a Tudor floor tile dating from the 1500s onwards, an Irish penny from Edward IV's era, and documents hinting at an exorcism in the area provide valuable insights into the historical context of Waynflete's palace. The presence of a lock and catch plate on the wall, along with experiments to replicate the black finish on the brickwork, further support the interpretation of a defensive structure with a covered walkway. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the site's significance in medieval history.

  • How does Waynflete Tower influence architectural constructions?

    Waynflete Tower's design and construction influence architectural developments, particularly seen in constructions like Hampton Court. The tower's diamond patterns in the brickwork and castle-like features, such as a keep and spiral staircases, set a standard for future brick-built palaces. Experiments with glazes to replicate the black finish on the brickwork showcase the innovative techniques used in medieval architecture. The discovery of a vast brick keep believed to be Waynflete's lodgings highlights the impressive architectural layout of the site, including a gatehouse, courtyard, and large tower.

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Summary

00:00

"Lost Tudor palace in Surrey uncovered"

  • The residential estate in Surrey is a symbol of modern success and wealth, with a tower representing Tudor opulence.
  • The tower is part of a lavish palace once owned by the wealthy bishops of Winchester, admired by King Henry VIII.
  • The palace has been lost for over 300 years, prompting a three-day search to uncover its remains.
  • Waynflete Tower in Surrey was a significant location in the medieval period, named after Bishop William Waynflete.
  • The tower was built during the Wars of the Roses and is a key part of the historical landscape.
  • The tower's design predates the Tudor era, setting a standard for future brick-built palaces.
  • A 1606 plan illustrates the palace's layout, hinting at a chapel and guest lodgings.
  • Archaeological efforts focus on uncovering the palace's defensive wall and range of buildings.
  • The search for Waynflete's palace faces challenges due to later demolitions and landscaping.
  • Historical records and dendrochronology are utilized to pinpoint the construction timeline of the tower and palace.

14:31

Uncovering Waynflete's Palace: Digging Deeper

  • Bridge and Matt are digging deeper to find a wall in the back garden.
  • Phil is excited about potential clues to the early buildings on the plan, possibly Waynflete's Palace.
  • A Tudor floor tile dating from the 1500s onwards is discovered, contradicting the pre-Tudor belief.
  • The site was a manor of the Bishops of Winchester since the early 13th century, possibly built by Richard Fox.
  • Phil is concerned about the lack of progress in understanding Waynflete's palace.
  • Plans to investigate geophysics in the garden reveal a possible hall and chapel.
  • Documents found hint at an exorcism in the area, adding to the historical knowledge.
  • Day two begins with a search for the rest of the palace, focusing on a chapel building.
  • Hampton Court's construction was influenced by Waynflete, with similar diamond patterns in the brickwork.
  • Experiments with glazes are conducted to replicate the black finish on the brickwork.

28:14

Tower Key Unlocks Medieval Castle Mystery

  • The tower key is identified as the most crucial building on the site, located behind trees in the neighboring garden.
  • The dendro date for the wood structure is determined to be between 1462-1472, predating Hampton Court and Farnham.
  • The discovery of an Irish penny from Edward IV's era, dated 1473-1478, suggests a significant historical context.
  • The possibility of a chapel-like structure is doubted, with focus shifting to a defensive complex resembling a castle.
  • The presence of a keep, described as castle-like, aligns with historical accounts of Waynflete's defensive intentions.
  • The excavation reveals a wall connecting to a potential keep, indicating a defensive structure with spiral staircases.
  • The discovery of a brick floor linking walls confirms contemporaneity and supports the architectural layout described in historical surveys.
  • The irregular brick sizes challenge typology, prompting a focus on the relationship between the terraced wall and the gatehouse.
  • A window resembling a doorway in the tower suggests a two-story structure with access to a covered walkway, reinforcing the castle-like design.
  • The presence of a lock and catch plate on the wall further supports the interpretation of a defensive structure with a covered walkway.

42:50

"Penny's Determination Unearths Archaeological Discoveries"

  • Penny is determined to continue digging as she believes there is more to uncover at the site, resembling an archaeologist's approach to excavation.
  • The experiment to replicate the finish on Waynflete's diaper work using glazed bricks fails as the temperature wasn't high enough to melt the glaze, leading to an unshiny appearance.
  • The discovery of a corner of a vast brick keep, believed to be Waynflete's lodgings, sheds light on the impressive architectural layout of the site, including a gatehouse, courtyard, and a large brick tower.
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