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© Mr Brian Arnopp
IoE Number:
158407
Location:
THE PALACE, HATFIELD PARK (west side)
HATFIELD, WELWYN HATFIELD, HERTFORDSHIRE
Photographer:
Mr Brian Arnopp
Date Photographed:
21 June 2002
Date listed:
06 February 1952
Date of last amendment:
06 February 1952
Grade
I
NOTE - The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incoporate subsequent amendments to the list. For an updated version of the statutory list you should visit our LBOnline database http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/Login.aspx
Old Hatfield
TL 2308 HATFIELD HATFIELD PARK
(west side)
15/144 The Palace
6.2.52
GV I
Formerly Palace of the Bishops of Ely, built by John Morton about
1480. Given to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, in exchange
for Theobalds Palace in 1607, and partly demolished, leaving this
the east side of a former quadrangular block, and the gate lodge
on the west (q.v.). From 1628 until the C20 it was the stables
to Hatfield House. Now a hall for entertainments. Red brick
with diaper patterning. Much early-mid C19 restoration. 2
storeys and attics. East and west elevations are both 20
windows. 1-window square projecting towers in centre of both
sides, rising to apex of plain tile roof. 5 windows each side
and 2-window gabled end bays. Mostly 2-light windows under
hoodmoulds. C19 stepped buttresses. Towers have ground floor
porches with 4-centred arches. Single light casements on 1st and
2nd floors above these. Both towers have burnt-header patterned
brick work which is mainly C19 restoration. Parapets on brick
corbel tables. N end of range has coach entrance with cambered
brick tunnel arch.
Dais of hall was at S end of present all. Kitchens and offices
were in the N half of the range. The roof of the hall is a
splendid specimen of late medieval timber construction, with
principals resting on carved stone corbels, the arched braces
moulded, the collar-beams cross-trussed, and with ogee-shaped
wind braces in two tiers between the principals. (Pevsner
(1977)).