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MONUMENT NO. 404083

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Medieval manor house used as a summer residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury from 1273 to 1780. Became a linen factory in 1818, and a girls school in 1887.

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[TQ 31966540] Archbishop's Palace [A.T.]
(Washing & Bleaching Factory) (1)
Old Palace High School [T.I.] (2)

This was a summer residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury from
1273 - 1780, and it is probably on the site of the Manor House
of Croydon.

S. Ingrams (4) did a small excavation here in 1959 and found
"Roman brick, flue tile and pottery from 12th. cent. onwards."
Most of the buildings are 14th-15th. cent. and the plan is
irregular, enclosing two courtyards (N-S) with a hall to the
east. There is a 12th. cent. round-headed window at the N.W.
corner of the south court, and the south front is faced with
18th. cent. brick.

The Palace was sold in 1780 and in 1818 it became a linen
factory, the garden being used as a bleaching ground.
Subsequently (1887), it was presented to the Sisters of the
Church and converted to a High School for girls.

A 9th. cent. hoard of seven silver coins is said to have been
found here prior to 1870. They were mostly of the Canterbury
mint (deposited c. 845), and included Coenwulf (796-822),
Ecbeorght (802-839), Aethelwulf (839-58) and Coelnoth (833-70).
Bliss collection.

"Old Palace School for Girls" as described and in good condition.
The gardens and Fishponds (see plan 1780 (7)) have gone and
their areas built over. There is no further information on the
coin hoard.

Excavations from 1968-70 in and around the centre of late
Saxon/Early Medieval Croydon have uncovered 13th to 19th century
foundations. A scatter of RB material including three roof tiles,
has also been found. The excavations were situated in and around the former Palace and just to the NW of the Parish Church,
centred at approximately TQ 318655.

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) General reference

O.S. 1/500, 1870

( 2) General reference

O.S. 25", 1941

( 3) General reference

V.C.H. Surrey, 4, 1912, 206-13 (Plan) (D. Huddlestone)

( 4) General reference

Proc. Croydon N.H. and Sc. Soc. 12, 1959, 229 (Note)

( 5) General reference

Bldgs. Eng. (Surrey), 1962, 160-2 (N. Pevsner)

( 6) General reference

Country Life, 137, 1965, 806-10, 876-880, Photos. (A. Oswald)

( 7) General reference

Chronicle of Croydon, 1874, 287, Plan. (J.C. Anderson)

( 8) General reference

Num. Chron. 4th. Ser., 7, 1907, 339-42

( 9) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FGA 23-JUL-65

(10) General reference

CBA Calendar of Excavations, Summaries 1970 21 (P L Drewett)

(11) General reference

Surrey Arch Coll 67 1970 105-6 (P L Drewett)

(12) General reference

Surrey Arch Soc Research Vol No 1 1974 1-45

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