Reign of Henry II (‘Champion’ of the Gothic style).
£3,600 spent on Clarendon, more than on any other of his 20 rural retreats.
History
Look through our timeline to learn the history and story behind Clarendon Palace.
1216-1272
1216-17
William Longespée, illegitimate son of Henry II, is warden of what would later be named Clarendon Forest.
1220
c 1220
New Sarum (Salisbury) was established and on 28 April, the foundation stones for the Cathedral were laid.
A Gothic landscape of palace and cathedral was evolving.
1222-55
Numerous gifts of firewood given by Henry III to an anchorite living in the church at nearby Britford.
1223
Earliest written evidence of a (probably pre-existing) park at Clarendon.
1227
Henry III came of age. He had been crowned in 1220, aged 13 years.
1227
In March, Henry III orders the sheriff of Wiltshire to enclose Clarendon Park, without delay.
1228
Two tuns of wine, precursors of regularly increased supplies during the reign.
One tun contains 252 gallons of wine.
1228
Clarendon Forest established.
Its hereditary wardenship was abolished and it was reconfigured under new administration.
1234-1237
King’s new chapel built at Clarendon.
1235-1236
‘Majesty of Our Lord’ painted in the nave of the communal All Saints Chapel.
Story of King Edward the Confessor also painted there.
1237-1245
c 1237-1245
Traditional dating of kiln and circular pavement in the King's chapel; pavement dated to 1244 .
1241
‘The Great Gate’ (western gatehouse) built.
1244
New large stable ordered adjacent to ‘old hall’, and a ‘herb garden’ ordered near the ‘old hall’.
40,000 roofing shingles ordered from Gillingham, Dorset.
Forty bream sent from Taunton.
1244
The circular pavement was designed and laid in the King's (Henry III) chapel. (On display in the British Museum).
1245, 1247, 1252
gardens made for the queen.
1250
c 1250
Queen’s window glass included an image of the queen praying to the Virgin and child.
‘Prince Edward’ chamber documented.
1251
Queen’s new fireplace represented the twelve months of the year carved over the mantel.
1252
Queen’s garden ‘remade and improved’, including building fences and a chamber ‘towards the park’.
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