Edward the Confessor and his brother Tostig receive news of the Northumbrian rebellion while at Britford, on the western border of what would later become Clarendon Forest.
Edward’s manor of Broughton (Hants) was nearby.
History
Look through our timeline to learn the history and story behind Clarendon Palace.
1065
1070
c1070
William the Conqueror mustered troops at Clarendon, the site was named in documents for the first time in the twelfth century. Romanesque style architecture, widespread use of local Hurdcott greensand, and Caen stone from Normandy.
1100-1135
Reign of Henry I
Henry I probably laid out a park and upgraded a residence, by developing a Romanesque landscape consisting of a giant park and buildings at Clarendon.
1130
Visit of Henry I and his queen, Adela of Louvain.
First evidence of a royal visit apart from the production of writs.
…47s.5 1/2d. expended in the carriage of wine, corn, the king’s and queen’s robe from Woodstock to Clarendon: and for the allowance of Roger de Causton and for conducting him to [Woodstock] Park, and from Oxford to Winchester.
The king’s wine and cheeses were forwarded from Southampton in the same year.
1135-1154
Reign of Stephen
The Augustinian Ivychurch Priory, on southern border of Clarendon park, was founded during Stephen’s reign. The Priory provided clergy for the palace up ‘Canonsweye’.
1154
From 1154 mews for the king’s birds of prey at Clarendon documented .
1154-1189
reign of Henry II.
1164
1164 January.
Constitutions of Clarendon sealed by Henry II and Archbishop Becket.
The agreement limits the clergy's legal rights.
Becket leaves for exile.
1164
Herbert of Bosham, present for the Constitutions meeting, describes Clarendon as ‘that noble and pre-eminent mansion, the king’s own, from its name and prominent position called Clarendon’.
There were perhaps 1800 people present for the meeting.
1166
Assize of Clarendon established jury presentment in every community and vill.
1167-1168
‘turfing’ suggests garden works.
1170
Archbishop Thomas Becket murdered in Canterbury cathedral.
1170s
digging and creation of the great Wine Cellar (La Roche), where 12C stonework still survives.
1176
‘Marble columns’ brought to Clarendon via Hampshire.
1176-1177
Dialogue of the Exchequer (Richard Fitz Nigel) evokes royal ‘separateness’ in use and exploitation of woodland, park and palace.
1179-80
Pipe Roll records the carriage of lead and paints (plumbo et coloribus) to Clarendon.
1199-1216 Reign of John
1200
1200 c
Gyrfalcons brought to Clarendon for the king. These were the largest of the hunting birds, and were usually only used by royalty.
1207
During Lent in late March Queen Isabella pregnant with Henry III (born 1 October) escorted to Clarendon by Hugh de Neville.
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