chester castle conservation plan vol ii

8/13/2019 Chester Castle Conservation Plan Vol II

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CHESTER CASTLE

Volume IIGazetteer

September 2001


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Existing Buildings: Gazetteer Numbers

43

43

4257

5267

64

70

62

49

17

50

44

7

6

115

9

41

45

71

20


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INTRODUCTION

This Gazetteer lists and describes both the extant structures and those which are historic

(i.e. removed, built over or buried) within the study site.

Each entry follows a standard format under the following headings:

Gazetteer number, NGR Number, Zone, Feature Name, Phase / Construction Date,

Condition, Significance, References, Illustrations and List Description.

Gazetteer Number: These are located on the Gazetteer plan (see following pages) and

colour coded to indicate whether extant or historic

NGR Number: The National Grid Reference and coordinates are indicated.

Zone: The Zones referred to in the Gazetteer relate to the historic

Mediaeval Castle.

UBUpper Bailey also referred to with the Conservation Plan as

the Inner Bailey

OBOuter Bailey

EmExternal to the walls of the Mediaeval Castle.

Construction Phase:The phases and periods of construction are:

Phase 1Norman Motte and Bailey

Phase 2Norman Palatinate (to 1237)

Phase 3Mediaeval (12371400)

Phase 416th

Century

Phase 5Late 17th

Century

Phase 6The Improvements of C.1745

Phase 7

Thomas Harrison C.1785-18Phase 8MidLate 19

thCentury

Phase 920th

Century

A plan identifying the periods of extant features is included withinthe Gazetteer introduction.


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Condition: The physical condition of the structure is briefly noted. Further

information is available in the main Conservation Plan Document

and the most recent condition survey prepared for English Heritageof the Inner Bailey.

Significance: Each entry is classified in one of the following terms:

International

National

Regional

Local

Vulnerability: Points of Vulnerability are briefly noted but referral should be

made to the main Conservation Plan Document.

References: References are referred to by date, title and publisher.

Illustration: Where relevant or available plans and illustrations of historic

structures are noted and referenced.

List Description: The List Description is provided for each Listed structure.

Plans: G1 Gazetteer Reference (all periods).

G2 Gazetteer Reference (Existing Buildings).

G3 Periods of Construction.

G4 Chester Castle Plan 1745.

G5 Chester Castle 1745 Plan overlaid on Existing Site Plan.

G6 Chester Castle Existing Buildings Plan / Period of Construction.

G7 Archaeology (recent investigations)

NB. Gazetteer entries 47, 48 and 51 have been deleted.


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INDEX

Feature Gazetteer Gazetteer

Name Zone Number

Existing Buildings and Structures

Agricola Tower UB 17

Artillery Store Em (UB) 62

Barrack Building, designated A Block and OB 43Associated Provost

Barrack House (Napier House) UB 49

City Walls Em 20

Curtain Wall UB 11

Entrance from Lower to Upper bailey UB 52

Flag Tower UB 6

Frobishers House / Store and Store keepers UB 9House

Guard Room and Cells UB 50

Half Moon Tower UB 5

Miniature Rifle Range Em (UB) 64

New Armoury, designated B Block, OB 44(Colvin House)

Old Mint UB 66

Propylaea OB 41

Retaining walls and railings of semicircular OB 45Forecourt

Sally Port UB 7

Scale model of Grosvenor Bridge Em (Castle Drive) 71

Shire Hall / Assize Court Block OB 42

Squash Court Em (UB) 70

Statue of Queen Victoria OB 67

Shire Hall / Assize Court Block OB 42

Toilet Block UB 57


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Demolished / Buried Buildings and Structures

Armoury UB 8

Ash Pit UB 60

Bastion (site of) OB 24

Battery (site of) OB 35

Battery (site of) OB 36

Battery UB 12

Carpenters Workshop UB 10

Chester Castle, old water of course OB 40

Curtain Wall (site of) OB 32

Ditch/moat/fosse (site of) OB 39

Engine Shed UB 59

Fire Engine shed in front of Agricola Tower UB 65

Fives Courts Em (UB) 54

Flanking turret (site of) OB 30

Fosse or ditch UB 2

Gaol OB 46

Garden OB 18

Garden (site of) OB 28

Garden UB 19Garderobe Tower OB 25

Gatehouse UB 3

Glovers Stone, The (site of) Em 38

Gloverstone, the area of (site of) Em 37

Great Gateway (site of) OB 27

Great Hall/Princes Hall OB 22

Great Stable (site of) OB 29

Guard or Square Tower UB 4

Gun Shed Em (UB) 55

Gun Shed UB 56

Hall UB 14

Kitchen and Butteries (site of) OB 26

Kitchen and Butteries UB 13


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Magazine Em 53

Mayshams Tower (site of) OB 23

Motte and bailey (motte part existing) UB 1

New Hall or Hugh Lupus Hall OB 21

Officers Stables Em (UB) 61

Shire Hall or Common Hall of Pleas (site of) Em 34

Solar and Chambers UB 15

Soldierscook house, barrack store and UB 68storekeepers quarters

Tank UB 58

Tank UB 69

Tower (site of) OB 31

Well UB 16

Well House (site of) OB 33

Wooden huts for extra accommodation West side of 63ditch

Key

Em Extra mural

OB Outer BaileyUB Upper Bailey (sometimes referred to as Inner Bailey)


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GAZETTEER PLAN: G1

TITLE: Gazetteer Reference (All Periods)


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GAZETTEER PLAN: G2

TITLE: Gazetteer Reference (Existing Buildings)


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GAZETTEER PLAN: G4

TITLE: Chester Castle Plan 1745


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GAZETTEER PLAN: G5

TITLE: Chester Castle 1745 Plan overlaid on Existing

Building


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GAZETTEER PLAN: G6

TITLE: Chester Castle Existing Buildings Plan/Period of

Construction


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GAZETTEER PLAN: G7

TITLE: Archaeology (Recent Investigation)


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 1

NGR Number: SJ x-coord: 4046 y-coord: 6580

Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Motte and bailey

Phase/Construction Date(s): Phase 1

Description:Historical:

Motte and bailey castle built by William the Conqueror 1069-70. By

1077 the castle belonged to Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester, in whosefamily it stayed until 1237. Under the Norman Earls the castle formed the

principal fortress, prison, and administrative centre for the almost

autonomous honour known as the Palatinate of Chester.

Current:

The motte still survives as an area of raised ground on the western side of

the inner bailey.

Speculative:

The castle was probably a simple structure comprising: the motte, which would have been a circular enditched

mound c.5-10m in height and c.40m in diameter, still surviving as a low mound on the western edge of the

castles inner bailey, and originally surmounted by a timber keep; the bailey, which would have been a circulararea c.70m in diameter in front of the motte, enclosed by an earthen bank with a timber revetment, beyond which

would have been an encircling ditch. The bailey would have been linked to the keep on the motte by an

enclosed timber walkway or bridge. Evidence for the latter may be provided by a reference in 1238 to the bridge

to the keep falling down and having to be rebuilt at a cost of 4, 35, 9d (Colvin H M ed 1963, 608).

Statutory

protection:

SAM 24. Conservation area protection.

EH/state guardianship

Condition: As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey, 1998, section 4.7

Significance: National.

Vulnerability: Any groundworks.

References:

Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London. HMSO.

Cox, E W 1895 Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society 5: 239-276.

DoE 1985 List of Buildings of Special Archaeological and Historical Interest

Chester, 4: 611-13. London, DoE.

Hurst, J G and Wilson,

D

1957 Medieval Archaeology 1: 156.

King, D and Alcock, L 1966 Chateau Gaillard 3: 112.

Ormerod, G 1882 History of Cheshire 1: 358-362, London, Routledge.

OS 1976 Record card: SJ46NW44.

Simpson, F 1925 Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society 26: 71-132.

SMR 1988 3007/1/0 and 3007/1/1.

Thompson, H 1938 Archaeological Journal 94: 310.

Illustrations: Moses Griffith: Watercolour (1747-1819). Housed in the Grosvenor Museum.

Lost

Descriptions:


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 2


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Fosse or ditch


Description:

Speculative:

A profile of this feature has never been revealed but eighteenth century plans suggest it

was c.9m wide. As the original bailey ditch it was probably re-excavated on several

occasions before being filled in c.1785 (Phase 7). It is possible that the fills of the ditch

contain rare assemblages of Saxo-Norman pottery, generally speaking absent from other

areas of Chester City.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Filled in/buried. Likelihood of buried remains/artefacts



References:

Simpson, F 1925 Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society 26: 72.

Illustrations: Lavaux: Plan of Chester Castle (c.1745). Housed in the Military museum.

List

Descriptions:


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 3


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Gatehouse (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Gatehouse to the inner bailey consisting of two towers built of stone, being round on

the outside and square on the inside, forming an entrance 45 feet wide (13.7m), with a

bridge for access across the moat, between the inner and outer bailey. Demolished in

1804.

Speculative:

It is assumed that the inner gatehouse was built prior to the outer bailey gatehouse

(1292-3) and the style of D-shaped towers seems to be an innovation of the

thirteenth century. It may be that Earl Ranulf III of Chester built the gatehouse during

the 1220s after his return from the Crusades, when he embarked upon buildingprogrammes at Beeston and Bolingbroke castles. Plans of the gatehouse are preserved

on eighteenth century plans of Chester Castle and a watercolour by Moses Griffith gives a view of the gatehouse,

as it would have appeared in the eighteenth century.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished c.1804 (Phase 7). Likelihood of buried remains

(foundations/structures/artefacts).

Significance National.


References:

Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London, HMSO.



SMR 1988 3007/1/2.


Lavaux: Plan of Chester Castle (c.1745). Housed in the Military museum.

List

Descriptions:


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 4


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Guard or Square Tower (site of)


Description:

Historical:

A square tower to the west of the inner gatehouse, which was removed when a new

armoury was built 1804-7. The tower was c. 9.1m x 9.1m in plan and is located on

Levauxs plan of the castle c.1745.

Speculative:

A watercolour by Moses Griffith demonstrates that in appearance the tower was

architecturally similar to the Agricola Tower, thought to be of twelfth century date.

During the reign of Edward II (1315-16) a charge is recorded for repairs to the stable in the

inner bailey, possibly located on the ground floor of this tower (SMR 1988, 3007/1/3).

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished, Phase 7. Likelihood of buried remains (foundations/structures/artefacts).



References:



SMR 1988 3007/1/3.



List

Descriptions:


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 5


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Half Moon Tower


Description:

Current:

The Half Moon Tower is situated in the northwest of the inner bailey. The tower is

round on the outside and square on the inside (c. 7.6m x 15m). The rear of the

tower abutts the early-nineteenth century Frobishers workshop. At present the

tower has a battered lower level and nineteenth century sash windows to the ground

and first floors, facing north and east and a battlemented parapet above.

Speculative:

This D-shaped mural tower may have been erected at the same time as the inner

bailey gatehouse, possibly by Earl Ranulf III in the 1220s. It is illustrated on an

eighteenth century water colour by Moses Griffith and is shown on eighteenthcentury plans of the castle.

Statutory

protection:

Listed Building Grade I.



Condition: Original much altered, such as nineteenth century windows etc. Currently in a derelict state

and pigeon infested. As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey, 1998,section 4.5


Vulnerability: Further alteration to remaining original. Deterioration due to dereliction of building.

References:

Ellis, Pet al 1996 Excavations at Chester Castle: the Seventeenth Century Armoury and

Mint. Excavation Survey Report no.10. Chester City Council.


SMR 1988 3007/1/4.



List

Descriptions:

Included in Gazetteer 11.


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 6


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Flag Tower


Description:

Historical:

Used as part of the late-seventeenth century armoury. Was

subject to excavation in 1982 by P R Hough who located a

seventeenth century phase of occupation and levelling and also

deposits earlier than the foundations of the Flag Tower,

possibly related to the original motte.

Current:

The present building has two storeys of Bunter Sandstone,

with walls c. 2.13m thick. It has a central ground floor

doorway and two openings to the first floor; the left handopening has a round arch and the right hand one a cement

lintel. Although it is much altered a lot of the original stonework remains.

Speculative:

The Flag Tower is 33 foot square and is believed to occupy the site of the original keep to the Norman motte

(1070). In 1159-60, 102 7s 5d was spent on the work of the castle and this may have included the construction

of the Flag Tower.

Statutory

protection:




Condition:Extant - but empty and structurally unsound (derelict). As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop

Williams condition survey, 1998, section 4.3



References:



DoE 1985 List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Interest Chester

4: 611. London, DoE.

Ellis P, et al 1996 Excavations at Chester: Chester Castle, the Seventeenth Century Armoury

and Mint. Excavation Survey Report no. 10. Chester City Council.

Hough, P R 1982 Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin Interim Report 8: 45-6.


SMR 1988 3007/1/5.


Randle Holmes: Sketch of Chester Castle (mid-seventeenth century). Harleian MS.2073.

List

Descriptions:



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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 7

NGR Number: x-coord: y-coord:

Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Sally Port


Description:

Historical:

The original Sally Port was defended by a machicolated bartizan carried on corbels. Rebuilt in 1786including

removal of original steep straight flight of steps, replaced with winding passage through wall, c.3.88m north-

west of former stairs. It is possible that the entrance arch from the Upper Bailey is medieval. The original Sally

Port is shown on Levauxs plan of the castle c.1745.

Current:

The replacement Sally Port of 1786 (Phase 7) is at present barred by a locked iron gate.

Speculative:

Probably added to the castle when the curtain wall to the inner bailey was rebuilt in stone c.1246 on the orders

of Henry III and may have been partially incorporated into the rebuild of 1786.

Statutoryprotection: SAM 24. Conservation area protection.EH/state guardianship

Condition: Original demolished and rebuilt in 1786replacement still extant (the existing inner archway

is possibly Medieval). As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey,1998, section 4.6

Significance: National

Vulnerability: Alteration/deterioration.

References:



Randle Holmes: Sketch of Chester Castle (mid-seventeenth century). Harleian MS. 2073.

List

Descriptions:



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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 8

NGR Number: x-coord: 340441 y-coord: 365758

Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Armoury (site of)


Description:

Historical:

The armoury was erected during the reign of William III between the

Half Moon Tower and the Guard Tower. The armoury was

commissioned in 1686 and completed in 1687 as part of the

refurbishment to the Castle undertaken during De Schombergs

campaign in Ireland. The new armoury was to house a considerable

magazine of arms, powder, ammunition, and other habiliments of

war and was to be serviced by a store keeper (Ellis P ed 1996, 15).

In 1691 repairs to the armoury are recorded comprising brick and

slating for the armoury shop and lead, glass, plastering, white

washing and 62 yards of brick walling (the bricks are recorded as 15 thick). A survey of the castle in 1745reported that the armoury contained a small number of field pieces and royals in good order and with sufficient

ammunition. The armoury was named on a map of 1769 as an ordnance storehouse and was replaced in 1807

by a new armoury on the south side of the parade ground. A study of the evolving plan of the armoury buildingis provided by Peter Ellis (1996), along with details of the standing building survey undertaken in 1982, prior to

its demolition. A series of maps between 1725-1775 demonstrate the development of the armoury, as a single

storey building with 5 long narrow bays and 2 wider ones running back from an open connecting passageway,

entered directly from the exterior.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Possibly some buried remains after archaeological excavation in 1982.Significance: Local.

Vulnerability: N/A

References:

Ellis, P et al 1996 Excavations at Chester: Chester Castle: the Seventeenth Century Armoury

and Mint. Excavation Survey Report no.10. Chester City Council.


Illustrations: Structural sequence of plans in Ellis, 1996: 16-17

List

Descriptions:


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 9


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Frobishers House / Stores and Store Keepers House


Description:

Historical:

In front of and adjoining the Half Moon Tower. When the

armoury was built in 1686-7 a store keeper was employed to

service it, known as a Furbisher (later corrupted to Frobisher). A

letter from De Schomberg in 1689 gives the name of the former

store keeper as Mr Williams and his replacement as Mr Brett.

Between 1696-8 the building was converted into a Royal Mint forthe English recoinage of 1696. This was overseen by a

comptroller (Edmund Halle the astronomer) and a mint staff listed

as a warden, a master, an assayer, a kings clerk, a surveyor of the

meltings, a porter, a masters assistant, and a comptrollers clerk.

In 1698 an estimate of the cost of putting the Frobishers shop in the same order as when it was delivered to the

officers of His Majestys Mint was ordered.

Current:

The Frobishers House which still stands to the rear of the Half Moon Tower may be the original store keepers

house. A standing building survey undertaken in 1982 has shown parts of this house still have late-seventeenth

century upstanding remains, that were revamped in the early-nineteenth century.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Extant, pigeon infested. As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey,1998, section 4.4

Significance: Regional.


References:

Ellis, P et al 1996 Excavations at Chester: Chester Castle: the Seventeenth Century Armoury

and Mint. Excavation Survey Report no.10. Chester City Council.


Illustrations: Elevations and internal floor plans produced in Ellis et al1996: 2, 5 8-9, and 13-14.

List

Descriptions:



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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 10


Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Carpenters workshop (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Erected in front of Half Moon Tower and burnt down in 1893.

Speculative:

This was housed within the building known as the armoury and probably dates from 1686-7, when the rest of the

range of buildings were constructed.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Likelihood of buried remains (ditches/structures/foundations/artefacts).

Significance: Local.


References:


Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


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Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Curtain Wall


Description:

Historical:

Instruction to replace wooden fence of bailey with stonewall by

Henry III in 1246filled spaces between towers in upper bailey.

In 1691 a section of the curtain wall connected to the armoury

was repaired with 62 yards of brick walling. Southwest section

including a Sally Port with machicolated bartizan that was taken

down in 1786 and rebuilt. The southwest section of wall was

taken down in 1786 and the new wall varied from 3m to 6m

outside of the original wall line. Repair work included the

reconstruction of Lord Cholmondeleys battery of 1745. Part of

the curtain wall attached to the Square Tower was taken down in1804 to make way for Colvin House.

Speculative:

The upper bailey curtain wall is assumed to mark the original circuit to the Norman motte and bailey castle.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Extant. As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey, 1998, section 4.6


Vulnerability: Further alteration to remaining original. Deterioration due to dereliction.

References:


Illustrations: Levaux: Plan of Chester Castle (c.1745). Housed in the Military museum.

Randle Holmes: Sketch of Chester Castle (mid-seventeenth century) Harleian MS. 2073.


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List

Descriptions:

Curtain wall to west and southwest of Inner Bailey: Curtain Wall. After 1246 with C18,

C19 and C20 additions and alterations. Bunter sandstone ashlar. Forming western side of

rectangular enclosure with a rounded corner to the southwest Set on Saxon defensive mound

at west. Western front: Half-moon tower at extreme left; semicircular in plan with battered

lower level. C19 sash windows to ground and first floors facing north and east.

Battlemented parapet above. Low wall extending to left linking up with the rear of B Block

(q.v.). To the right the curtain wall extends with a battlemented parapet and 2 early C19

horizontal gun slits. At the southwestern curved corner are a series of three buttresses with

offsets. Blocked door to ground floor level between second and third of these from left.

Tower to right. Slightly projecting. The height of the wall diminishes via an offset at right of

this tower but the wall extends considerably lower as the earth mound dies. Arched doorway

to right approached by flight of C20 concrete steps leading to salyport steps. Southerncurtain wall of 1786 adjoins to right (q.v.). Rear: Arched sally port stairway exists at left

with stairway up to ramparts immediately to right of it. Brick inner face of wall at right of

this with stone walkway to ramparts with C20 iron railings. Flag tower projects at centre:

two storeys of Bunter sandstone with central ground floor doorway and two openings to first

floor, that at left with round arch, that at right with cement lintel. To right is projecting early

C19 house on the site of the Frobishers workshop and abutting the rear of the half-moontower. Now of three bays, though originally extending further left. Entrance front: stucco

rendered on three bays. Horned sash windows to first floor with stone cills. Lateral ground

floor doors with central bowed oriel of 4 x 4 horned sash panes. Jagged well at left indicating

recent demolition.

Curtain wall to south of Inner Bailey: Curtain wall. Dated 1786 on datestone. Bunter

sandstone ashlar. South facing central wall with lateral walls facing south-south-west and

south-south-east. South front: battered walls with raised rusticated quoins to corners and

large-scale roll moulding below battlemented parapet, which has a mouled, offset coping.

The datestone is at the centre of the south-south-western wall. Rear: raised walkway withstone-flagged and tarmacadam surface on brick walling. Western and southwestern curtain

wall adjoins to left (q.v.) and eastern wall at right (q.v.).

Curtain wall to east of Inner Bailey: Curtain wall. Late C18. Bunter sandstone ashlar.

East front: battered wall with large-scale keel moulding below battlemented parapet, whichhas moulded offset coping. Buttresses with offsets irregularly placed. Army storage

buildings adjoin at lower level. Rear: raised walkway with stone-flagged surface above

brick walling. South-south-eastern curtain wall adjoins to left.


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Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Battery


Description:

Historical:

Adjoining the Sally Port steps on the east side was a raised battery overlooking the Little Roodee and the river,

installed c.1745 by Lord Cholmondeley, and reconstructed in 1786. Removed by Captain Kitson when building

new armoury and Napier House c.1830.

Speculative:

Said to have been for 12 cannon but only 4 were mounted.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished.


Vulnerability: N/A

References:



List

Descriptions:


28/91



Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Kitchen and Butteries (site of)


Description:

Historical:

At the northern edge of the eastern range of buildings in the Upper Bailey were the

Kitchen and Butteries. Access could be gained from these to the Ditch via a stone

arch and step. Re-roofed in 1302 after a fire. A new kitchen was built in the inner

bailey for the justicians deputy in 1328 and a little buttery and kitchen were

provided for the comptroller in 1346-7. A bridge was ordered to be constructed in

1245 by Henry III to give access from the castle into an orchard (probably the

garden by the Great Hall in the outer bailey). This probably led from the stone

staircase and archway mentioned above.

Present:

The arch still standing to the east of the Agricola Tower is possibly part of the

building.

Speculative:

The kitchen and butteries formed part of the southeast range of the inner bailey, probably built prior to Henry

IIIs improvements.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Likelihood of buried remains (structures/artefacts). As stated in the Buttress

Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey, 1998, section 4.6

Significance: Regional/local.

Vulnerability: Arch vulnerable to deterioration/alteration; ground disturbance works.

References:




SMR 1988 3007/1/6.

Illustrations: Levaux: Plan of Chester Castle (c.1745). Housed in the Military museum.


List

Descriptions:


29/91



Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Hall (site of)


Description:

Historical:

The hall was in the southeast range of the inner bailey and measured c.10 x 20m. A chamber was ordered to be

constructed by Henry III in 1245, described as being a first floor chamber with a cellar below. This new

chamber cost 219, 13s, 0.5d to build and may equate to the solar, chamber and hall of the inner bailey.

Adjoining the kitchen and connected to the Agricola Tower at the north end by a porch. Connected to the

Agricola Tower by a blocked up passage at Chapel level. Rebuilt by Richard the engineer in 1302 after fire.

Converted into Governors apartments by c.1745. Taken down in November 1830 due to dangerous condition.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Likelihood of buried remains (structures/artefacts).



References:


SMR 1988 3007/1/6.



List

Descriptions:


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Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Solar and Chambers (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Possibly part of the new chamber ordered to be built by

Henry III in 1245-7, which comprised a new first floor

chamber standing on a cellar and cost 219. 13s. 01/2d.

Connected to the Hall. Converted to apartments of deputy

governor c.1745 and used as officers quarters in nineteenth

century. Taken down in November 1830 due to dangerous

condition of timbers. Beneath the hall and chambers were

probably cellars or crypts.

Statutory

protection:






References:Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London, HMSO.



SMR 1988 3007/1/6.

Illustrations: Engraving by William Byrne (1743-1805). Housed in the Grosvenor Museum.



List

Descriptions:


31/91



Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Well


Description:

Historical:

Stone-lined well situated c.17m south of the Agricola Tower, formerly in the garden in front of governors house

shown on seventeenth century plan of the castle.

Current:

Well covered by a York stone slab. Said to be 24m deep, water encountered at 13.7m. Location marked by a

ring of concrete bollards installed by the army to prevent heavy vehicles from passing over it.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Covered by a tarmacadam surface.


Vulnerability: Ground disturbance.

References:


SMR 1988 3007/1/6.



List

Descriptions:


32/91



Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Agricola Tower


Description:

The Agricola Tower or Caesars Tower is a square tower 16m high with buttresses at each corner of Early

English pilaster type. The tower is a three-storey building constructed from Bunter sandstone ashlar blocks,

originally of late-twelfth century or early-thirteenth century date, but with alterations to the crypt in 1302. The

exterior was partly refaced by Thomas Harrison in 1818 with more repairs done in 1923 and 1952. The tower is

thought to have functioned as the original gatehouse to the inner bailey and probably replaced the timbergatehouse of the original Norman bailey.

17a External appearance

The southwest face has a central pointed gate arch with stepped reveals, and slightly projecting turrets. A

pointed lancet exists at first floor level with voussoirs and an iron grille, while above this is a battlemented

parapet with chamfered coping. There are traces visible in the masonry of a later gabled abutment to the tower

(probably the inner bailey hall, kitchen and butteries). The southeast face has a projecting staircase with a turret

and to the left a blocked light. The northwest face is blind and was entirely refaced in 1818. The northeast face

has projecting buttresses to left and right of centre and there is a lancet to the first floor chapel.

17b Ground floor

The ground floor has a sexpartite stone vaulted ceiling, with bold plain chamfered ribs, which spring from wall

pillars, connected in the centre by a boss carved with the cable design. The pillars are 1.04m high, chamfered on

each front edge, with similar chamfered caps and base. The pillars rest on a square plinth, which extends around

the room. The northeast wall is a former gateway blocked with masonry, into which a small bay has been added

containing a deeply recessed and splayed light. The walls bear a number of masons marks, mostly in the form

of arrows.

It is documented that the ground floor and parts of the adjoining building were damaged by fire in 1302 and that

subsequently the floor of the chapel above had to be shored up and the stonework strengthened. This work wasundertaken by Brother Thomas, the Plumber of Cumbermere Abbey and directed by Richard the Engineer, at a

cost of 13, 4s, 0d.

Access to the first floor level is gained by an Early English doorway in the southeast wall. A single keel mould

surrounds the pointed doorway, which is 1.98m in height and 1.04m wide. The drip stone above the doorway is

pointed and of plain flat fillet type with a splay on the lower side, which terminates abruptly. The doorway leads

to a stone staircase occupying an angle turret with the thickness of the walls, lighted by three deeply-splayedlights inserted in 1818. At first floor level is a deep recess in the thickness of the wall, forming a landing from

which entrance is gained to the chapel of St Mary in the castle.

17c - Chapel

The Chapel of St Mary de Castro is a parallelogram in plan measuring 5.89m long and 5.02m wide. It is

divided into two bays by quadripartite, acutely-pointed, stone vaulting, with an extra rib between each bay. The

ribs are beautifully moulded with three filleted rolls and an intermediate angular member springing from circularvaulting shafts with floriated and voluted capitals and moulded base. The ornamentation of the caps varies, the

centre one on the north-west side being distinct from the others. The original stone floor of the chapel is covered

by a later wooden floor.

The pointed doorway is located in the first bay on the southeast side and has a keel mould on the edge. On the

northeast side of the chapel is an altar recessed in the thickness of the wall with a segmental arch above it.Above the altar is a deeply-splayed square light, whilst to the right is a small aumbrey with round head. The

southwest wall has a pointed recess in the thickness of the wall, in the upper part of which is a modern window,

and in the lower part are two stone seats. The second bay of the northwest wall has a square recess with a

segmental arch, inside the recess is a rabbet cut in the sides and back for the insertion of a shelf (possibly for the

sacred vessels). Adjoining this recess is a blocked doorway made when the chapel was converted into a store for

weapons and gunpowder in the seventeenth century.

The door to the chapel is clad in copper, intended as a safety measure while the room functioned as a magazine.


33/91

Description Continued

The walls and stone vaulting of the chapel have traces of painted plaster with biblical scenes of which two

separate periods of scheme can be discerned. The earlier scheme probably dates to the construction of the chapel

in the late-twelfth century and may be attributed to Earl Ranulf III (Phase 2). The later scheme covers most ofthe earlier decoration and has been assigned a date in the second third of the thirteenth century, probably having

been commissioned by Henry III (Phase 3). The later scheme incorporates the following scenes:

Southern quadrant of the eastern baythe Visitation.

Southern quadrant of the western baythe Adoration of the Magi.

West wall, west baythe Legend of Theophilus.

North wall, west baythe Miracle of St Bonnet of Clermont.

North wall, east baythe Miracle of Ebbo the thief.

South wall, east baythe Miracle of the Jew of Bourges.

South wall, west baythe Miracle of St Mercurius (or George).

East wall, upper registerSt Edward and the King.

The following priests were chaplains or Custodes Capelle at the chapel in the castle:

Petre Trafforde (c.1360).

John de Wylaston (c.1400).

John de Thornton (during the reign of Henry V).

John Trafford (c.1491).

In 1648 the well known Congregationalist Minister Samuel Eaton was the Chaplain. When King James II

visited Chester in 1687 he attended mass and received sacrament at the chapel on Sunday August 28th

.

17d second floor room

Proceeding up the stone staircase to the second floor another pointed doorway leads to a room with a brick barrel

roof. To the right of the door is a deeply recessed light in the thickness of the wall, with iron bars. In the

adjoining wall is another small light recessed to the same extent.

17e - parapet

The stone staircase continues to the leaded roof level, which has a battlemented parapet.

Rear elevation The ground floor

Statutory

protection:




Condition: Extant. Much refacing of external elevations. Original interior. Some damp ingress and

pigeon infestation. As stated in the Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams condition survey, 1998,

section 4.2


34/91


Vulnerability: Alteration/deterioration. Wall paintings in particular appear to have suffered from damp.

References:

Cather, C, Park, D andPender, R 2000 Henry IIIs Wall Paintings at Chester Castle. In Medieval Archaeology,Art and Architecture at Chester. British Archaeological Association.

Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: the Middle Ages. London, HMSO.


DoE 1985 List of Buildings of Architectural and Historical InterestChester 4: 609.

London, DoE.

Pevsner, N and Hubbard,

E

1971 The Buildings of EnglandCheshire: 157-8.

Richards, R 1947 Old Cheshire Churches: 101-2.


SMR 1988 3007/1/7.



Moses Griffith: Watercolour (1747-1819). Housed in the Grosvenor Museum.

List

Descriptions:

Castle gate-tower with chapel to first floor. Late C12/Early C13 with additions and

alterations after 1302 and refacing by Thomas Harrison of 1818 with further repairs of 1923

and 1952. Bunter sandstone ashlar with metal roof. Three storeys. South-western front:

Central pointed gate arch with stepped reveals and voussoirs now glazed. Slightly projecting

turrets to right, clasping buttres at left, common to the other two corners. Both have somestonework of pre-1818 date. Signs of later gabled abutment to tower. Offset above lower

stage. Pointed lancet of first floor with voussoirs and iron grille. Rectangular windows to

right hand staircase turret. Battlemented parapet with chamfered coping. A C19 single

storey provost block adjoins to the left (not included in this item). Right hand reveal:

projecting staircase turret to the left has one blocked light. Central second floor square

window. Left reveal: blind and entirely refaced in 1818. Rear: projecting buttresses to left

and right of centre. Blocked arch to recessed central wall. One rectangular ground floor

window. First floor lancet to chapel and blocked window to second floor. interior: Entrance

ground floor passageway altered after fire of 1302. Sexpartite vault with chamfered ribs

resting on chamfered attached pillars with simple chamfered abacus capitals and chamfered

bases supported on raised plinth. Pointed arch to stair turret at south of south-eastern wall.First floor; (Chapel of St Mary de Castro). Three round wall pillars with moulded bases and

water leaf capitals to south-eastern and north-western walls supporting two quadripartitevaults with keel-moulded ribs. Pointed alter recess to north-eastern wall. Aumbry with

pointed arch to right of this. Pointed door arch to right of centre of south-eastern wall set in

projecting portion of wall has keel moulded surround.


35/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Garden


Description:

Historical:

In 1191 Ranulf appointed William as the Mounter keeper of my garden and my orchard at Chester, and

William was also granted a resting tree and residue of my apples after the shaking down of the trees of my

garden (Morris 1894, 571). In 1245 King Henry III ordered the construction of a bridge from the castle (inner

bailey) to an orchard. In 1287 200 plants of apples and pears were bought and in 1290 the gardeners obligation

was to find worts from Michelmas to Lent and leeks during Lent (SMR 1988, 3007/1/16). In 1302 there is

reference to the construction of three herbers in the castle and custody of the castle garden is mentioned in

inquisitions post mortems of 1350, 1370 and 1459.

Speculative:

The garden of Ranulf III referred to in 1191 is probably between the Agricola Tower and the Exchequer court onLevauxs plan of 1745.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Likelihood of buried remains (features/artefacts).



References:

Harvey, J 1981 Medieval Gardens: 64-5.Morris, R H 1894 Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor reigns: 571.

Ormerod, G 1882 History of Cheshire 2: 40 and 547.


SMR 1988 3007/1/16.

Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


36/91



Zone: Upper bailey

Feature Name: Garden


Description:

Historical:

During repairs undertaken to the Shire Court buildings in 1660 a garden was created in the inner bailey for the

judges to walk in at the Assize. This garden may be shown on a survey of the castle (1682 -4) and details of its

formal layout as a knot garden can be seen on Levauxs plan of c.1745.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Likelihood of buried remains (features/artefacts).



References:


Illustrations: Lavauxs plan of Chester Castle (c.1745). Housed in the Military museum.

List

Descriptions:


37/91



Zone: Extra mural

Feature Name: City Walls


Description:

Historical:

The wall was rebuilt during the nineteenth century. The line of the wall is

illustrated on Brauns map of Chester c. 1572, and Levauxs plan of

Gloverstone c. 1745. A prospect of the wall is shown in Boydells

watercolour of 1749.

Speculative:

Possible line of the wall established during the fortification of the burh of

Chester in 907 by Aethelfleada, and respected by the line of the later

Medieval city wall.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Extant.


Vulnerability: Alteration/deterioration.

References:


Illustrations: Boydell, J. A: South prospect of the City of Chester (1749). Housed in the Grosvenor

museum.

Braun, G: Civitates Orbis Terrarum (1572).

Lavaux: Plan of Gloverstone (1745). Housed in the Military museum.

List

Descriptions:


38/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: New Hall or Hugh Lupus Hall (site of)

Phase/Construction Date(s): Phase 3-6

Description:Historical:

Located at the south end of the east range in the outer bailey,

adjoining fosse and gateway of upper bailey. Also known as theShire Hall. Reconstructed and converted to an exchequer court c.

1579-81. The hall as it appeared in the late- sixteenth century is

shown on a sketch of the castle done by Randle Holme in the mid-

seventeenth century. Its shape in plan can be discerned on

Levauxs plan of the castle c. 1745. Pennant in his Tours of

Wales (1784) describes the hall as c.30m in length, 13.7m inwidth and of a height worthy of the state apartment of a great baron. The roof was supported by woodwork in a

bold style, carved, and resting on stout brackets.

Speculative:

The original building may have been the great chapel referred to in 1302. This is supported by the painting by

Moses Griffith and a view published by the Gentlemans Magazine in 1789. Both illustrations show the

exchequer windows, which appear to indicate that it was designed as a chapel. The exchequer court was a two-

storey building, with the exchequer chamber on the lower floor level. A plan among the records of the Duchy ofCornwall shows that there was a blind arcade of early-thirteenth century type along its north and east walls.

Hugh Lupus was the first Earl of Chester (1070-1101), though it is unlikely that he had anything to do with the

building.

Statutory

protection:





Vulnerability: Potentially nothing survives.

References:



Lysons Magna Britannia 2, 2: 455.

Morris, R H 1894 Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor Reigns: 98.

Ormerod, G 1882 History of Cheshire 1: 358.

Pennant 1784 Tour of Wales.


SMR 1988 3007/1/11 and 12.

1789 Gentlemans Magazine: 493.

Illustrations: Moses Griffith: Watercolours (1747-1819). Housed in the Grosvenor museum.



List

Descriptions:


39/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Great Hall/Princes Hall (site of)

Phase/Construction Date(s): Phase 3-6

Description:

Historical:

The original Great Hall had been constructed during the reign of Henry III

(1249-53) at a cost of 350 and it was used as the location for the shire court

until 1310. Princes Hall (hall and kitchen) erected 1579-81 on the site of the

earlier Great Hall at a cost of 650. The new shire hall of 1579-81 was 30m long

x 13.7m wide and is described as resembling Westminster Hall. The south gable

of the hall had a long lancet light and on each side a quatrefoiled opening. A

view of the building is also provided by Randle Holmes sketch of the castle and

the ground plan is illustrated in Levauxs plan of 1745. Demolished in 1788 by

Thomas Harrison to make way for his new shire hall.

Speculative:

The square bay windows shown on Moses Griffith watercolour are probably of

Elizabethan date.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished/buried. Possibility of buried remains.



References:

Colvin, H M 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London.HMSO.


Lysons Magna Britannia.

Morris, R H 1894 Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor Reigns.


SMR 1988 3007/1/11.

1789 Gentlemens Magazine.



Randle Holmes: Sketch of Chester Castle (mid-seventeenth century).

List

Descriptions:


40/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Mayshams Tower (site of)


Description:

Historical:

South-east of the Shire Hall. The tower is referred to in two fifteenth century documents dated 1441 and 1447-8

(SMR 1988, 3007/1/8). Demolished 1788-1807. This is located on Levauxs plan of 1745 and may be seen on

Randle Holmes late-seventeenth century sketch of the castle.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished. Possibility of buried remains.



References:


SMR 1988 3007/1/8.



List

Descriptions:


41/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Bastion (site of)


Description:

Historical:

East side of outer bailey, north-east of the Shire Hall square in plan. Contained two guard rooms. At the

extreme north end, overlooking the outer bailey ditch, was a projecting bastion and stairs leading to the curtain

wall walk way. This is illustrated in the background of the watercolour by Moses Griffith of the outer bailey to

Chester castle.

Statutory

protection:





References:


SMR 1988 3007/1/10.


List

Descriptions:


42/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Garderobe Tower (site of)


Description:

Historical:

A Square buttressed tower, projecting east from bastion on plan of castle 1745 it is described as a mass

house. Demolished 1788-1807.

Current:

Site now beneath bay of County Council Chamber.

Speculative:

If the Garderobe Tower had contained a small chapel then it may be referred to in a document of 1291, when

references to boards for the altar and glazing for the windows of the queens chapel are mentioned. In 1301Edward of Cearnarvon commissioned a picture of the martyrdom of St Thomas Becket to be painted in the lesser

chapel next to the Great Hall (SMR 1988, 3007/1/13 and 3007/1/8).

Statutory

protection:





References:

Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: the Middle Ages. London, HMSO.



SMR 1988 3007/1/13 and 3007/1/8.


Randle Holmes: Sketch of Chester Castle (mid-seventeenth century). Harleian MS.2073

List

Descriptions:


43/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Kitchen and Butteries (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Located between Shire Hall and bastion. The new kitchen stood on the east side of the north end of the Shire

Hall and adjoining it further north were the butteries and domestic buildings. Cox and Simpson refer to a small

courtyard within which was a cloister containing the kitchen and buttery (Cox 1895, 239-276). The location and

plan of the buildings are shown on Levauxs plan of c.1745.

Statutory

protection:






References:Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London, HMSO.



SMR 1988 3007/1/10.



List

Descriptions:


44/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Great Gateway (site of)


Description:

Historical:

This replaced an earlier gateway and was built by

Edward I in 1292-3. It was located 27.4m to the west

of the guard rooms. Formed from two half drum

towers with a drawbridge crossing the moat.

Western tower was known as Gowestower

(functioning as the castle prison) and attached to the

rear was the Porters Lodge. The Great Gateway was

c.15m wide. The gatehouse was defended by two

portcullises and doors in the passageway led to

guardrooms and dungeons. In 1310-11 200 wasspent on work on the gatehouse and in 1399 Sir

Piers Legh of Lyme was held in Gowestower prior

to his execution by the Duke of Lancaster. In 1656the gateway was still used as a prison. In 1660-2

much of the outer gatehouse fell down and the cost of repair was estimated at 860. In 1789 permission was

given to Thomas Harrison to remove the outer gatehouse.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished/buried. Likelihood of buried remains (structures/artefacts).



References:

Colvin, H M (ed) 1963 The history of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London HMSO.

Cox, E W 1895 Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society 5 : 239-276.

Morris, R H 1894 Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor Reigns.

SMR 1988 3007/1/9.


1956 Kings Vale Royal.

Illustrations: Moses Griffith: Watercolour (1747-1819). Housed in the Grosvenor museum.

Broster: Sketch of Great Gateway c.1776. Housed in the Grosvenor museum.



List

Descriptions:


45/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Garden (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Occupying a space between the Great Gateway and the guardrooms. Garden survived until 1745 when a battery

was built in its place.

Speculative:

May have existed from the twelfth century as a keeper of the garden was appointed in 1190 by Ranulf, 6th

Earl of

Chester. It may have spread into the ditch of the outer bailey.

Statutory

protection:






References:

Colvin H M (ed) 1963 The History of the Kings Works 2: The Middle Ages. London, HMSO.

Harvey, J 1981 Medieval Gardens.

Morris, R H 1894 Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor Reigns: 571.

Ormerod, G 1882 History of Cheshire 1: 358-362.

Simpson, F 1925 Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society.

SMR 3007/1/16.

Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


46/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Great Stable (site of)


Description:

Historical:

West of great gateway and c.24m in length. This building is shown on Randle Holmes sketch of the late-

seventeenth century and on Levauxs plan of 1745.

Speculative:

Repairs were made to a stable in 1291 and further repairs were made by Edward

III. These may have pertained to this building.

Statutory

protection:






References:




SMR 1988 3007/1/15.



List

Descriptions:


47/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Flanking turret (site of)


Description:

Historical:

This flanking turret commanded the east and west fronts of the outer bailey wall and stood exactly opposite to

where Harrisons Great Entrance now stands. It is shown on Levauxs plan of 1745.

Statutory

protection:






References:



List

Descriptions:


48/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Tower (site of)


Description:

Historical:

A 8.5m square tower which stood 14.6m south of where the south wing of the Doric entrance now stands. Taken

down 1789. First mentioned in 1256. Called Goblins Tower in 1741. The tower is shown on the late-seventeenth

century sketch of the castle by Randle Holmes and on Lavauxs plan of 1745.

Statutory

protection:






References:


SMR 1988 3007/1/14.



List

Descriptions:


49/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Curtain Wall (site of)


Description:

Historical:

The line of the outer bailey wall was established by Henry III when he took possession of the castle in 1237,

later he ordered the bailey wall rebuilt in stone (1247-51). One hundred yards of the bailey wall were rebuilt

from the foundations upwards in c.1337. The extent of this wall is shown on Lavauxs plan of 1745 and its

height and character are illustrated on Randle Holmes sketch of the castle (late-seventeenth century) and Moses

Griffiths watercolour of the outer gateway (late -eighteenth century). Demolished by Thomas Harrison c.1789-

1810.

Statutory

protection:






References:



SMR 1988 3007/1/8.


Lavaux: Plan of Chester Castle (c.1745).Housed in the Military museum.


List

Descriptions:


50/91



Zone: Outer building

Feature Name: Well House (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Well house shown on seventeenth century sketch plan of the castle and on Moses Griffiths watercolour of the

outer bailey. In 1898 top of well filled in due to flooding and capped with a stone slab.

Speculative:

Well house probably removed during Harrisons rebuild.

Current:

Thought to lie beneath the statue of Queen Victoria, in front of Harrisons portico.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Buried beneath tarmacadum surface. Likelihood of buried remains.



References:


Illustrations: Moses Griffith: Watercolour (1747-1819). Housed in the Grosvenor museum.


List

Descriptions:


51/91



Zone: Extra-mural

Feature Name: Shire Hall or Common Hall of Pleas (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Immediately east of outer gateway, the building was a timber-framed Shire Hall, removed in 1581 to the corn

market on Northgate Street.

Statutory

protection:






References:


Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


52/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Battery (site of)


Description:

Erected in garden next to Great Gateway and opposite St Marys Church in 1745, on the

orders of Lord Cholmondeley. The site is shown on Levauxs plan of the castle.

Statutory

protection:





Vulnerability: N/A

References:



List

Descriptions:


53/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Battery (site of)


Description:

Historical:

Erected at the south-east corner of the Shire Hall, probably on the site of the Earls garden mentioned in 1191.

Constructed as a raised platform with a parapet in 1745. The site is located on Lavauxs plan of the castle.

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Demolished


Vulnerability: N/A

References:



List

Descriptions:


54/91



Zone: Extra-mural

Feature Name: The area of Gloverstone (site of)


Description:

Historical:

A kind of no-mans land under the jurisdiction of neither the City nor the County. Traders other than freemen of

the city were allowed to trade in booths or tents. Houses were erected in the Hamlet in the late-sixteenth

century. In 1625 houses were said to be standing on the site of the Shire Hall taken down in 1581. The limit of

this territory was marked by an upstanding stone (discussed in gazetteer number 38).

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Likelihood of buried remains (structures/artefacts).

Significance: National/regional.

Vulnerability: Ground disturbance.References:


Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


55/91



Zone: Extra-mural

Feature Name: The Glovers Stone (site of)


Description:

Historical:

This stone stood on the east side of the short lane and was buried where it had stood when A block was built in

1810.

Speculative:

Possibly a prehistoric monolith/megalith monument utilised in the Medieval period as a boundary marker. Said

to have been tipped into the outer bailey ditch prior to the building of A block.

Statutoryprotection:



Condition: Removed. Likelihood of buried remains.



References:


Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


56/91



Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Ditch/moat/fosse (site of)

Phase/Construction Date(s):

Description:

Historical:

Probably established as a defensive circuit by Henry III after 1237, and filled in prior to the construction of A

block in 1806.

During restoration of A block in 1890 the depth to bedrock was tested for each of the 10 columns, as follows:-

Column Depth

1 10 ft 6 ins

3 27 ft

4/5 27 ft

6 26 ft

7/8 32 ft

10 45 ft 3 ins

Outer bailey ditch therefore 18m wide and 14m deep. Evaluation

trenches along the southern side of A block in 1993 confirmed

location of ditch/fosse with eighteenth century deposits persisting to adepth of at least 2.5m below car park level.

Speculative:

May have followed the line of a pre-existing water course discussed below (see gazetteer no. 40).

Statutory

protection:






References:


Ward, S 1993 Chester Castle Archaeological Evaluation. Evaluation Survey Report No.

20, Chester City Council.


List

Descriptions:


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Zone: Outer bailey

Feature Name: Chester Castle, old water course (site of)


Description:

Orderic Vitalis describes the castle as an island probably because it was cut off by a water course running

between the Roodee race course and the Dee Bridge. Possibly utilised as the outer bailey ditch (gazetteer no.

39).

Statutory

protection:



Condition: Likelihood of buried remains (structures/artefacts).



References:

Simpson, F 1925 Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society 26:

Illustrations:

List

Descriptions:


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 41NGR Number: SJ x-coord: 4040 y-coord: 6584Zone: Outer BaileyFeature Name: Propylaea

Phase/Construction Date(s): Phase 7 (Harrison)Description:

Grand Entrance to Chester Castle. The Propylaeais of the Greek Doric order with an attic, and isflanked on either side by pedimented lodges. Builtto the design of Thomas Harrison, with workcommencing in 1811; it was substantiallycompleted by 1815.

The overall width is approximately 30 metres.

Statutory

protection:

Listed Building Grade I.Conservation area protection.

Condition: Externally generally good. Some localised areas of stone delamination.Significance: International (as part of a group with nos. 42, 43, 44, 45, & 52). Vulnerability: Possible damage from vehicles: setting impaired by Parking in Castle SquareReferences:

Simpson 1925 pp. 108-9. First stone laid by Lieut. Col. Trafford, 20/6/1811. Alsolocal press report of August 1813, and a description by ThomasHarrison of his work.

Ockrim 1983 pp. 66-7. Submission of plans, 1810-3, substantially complete,1815.

Crook 1971 pp. 944-7. For a preliminary Egyptian style design, see ill. p. 947.PRO WO 55/2459 1821 Ordnance ReportPRO WO 55/2544 1830 Ordnance ReportPRO WO 55/2741 1841 Ordnance ReportPRO WO 55/2951 1851 Ordnance ReportCRO QAB 2/3/1-20 Harrisons plans and drawings.Illustrations:

List

Description:

Propylaea. 1811-1813. By Thomas Harrison of Chester. Ashlar Manley sandstonewith lead roof. Central gateway with colonnades to either side connecting with

pavilions. West front: Central gateway of tetrastyle amphiprostyle form with 2 rowsof Greek Doric columns which are monolithic and fluted to their upper bodies butmerely faceted below. Standing on abaci they have wider intercolumniation to the

centre. Doric entablature above with metopes guttae and mutules continuing aroundgateway. Panelled attic storey above with raised tablet to centre. To rear dividingwall are a central gateway of full height with lower pedestrian gateways to either sideand sunken panels with moulded surrounds over these. To either side are blank wallswith mouldings to tops connecting the gateway to the side pavilions which each havetwo fluted Greek Doric columns to the centre and antae to the corners. Doricentablature above continuing around each pavilion. Pediment with blank tympanumover. Each has a wider opening between the central columns. East front: Centraldistyle gateway with antae to sides all being monolithic and the central columns flutedto their upper bodies and faceted below. Panelled attic and ' raised tablet as on westfront. Dividing wall has gateways and panels as on west front. One-bay colonnadesto either side supported by antae. Portico wings to either side each of tetrastyle form

with second phalanx of columns distyle in antis behind, all monolithic. Widerintercolumniation to centre. Entablature over supporting pediment with blanktympanum. The Gateway colonnades and wings all have stone coved ceilings. There


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are rectangular pedestals to apex and lower angles of pediments. J Mordaunt Crooksays of the building in his book The Greek Revival that it combines "direct antiqueinspiration the Temple of Philip at Delos and the so-called Temple of Augustus atAthens with, the primal simplicity of the Sublime and the variety of light and shadeassociated with the Picturesque".


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GAZETTEER NUMBER: 42NGR Number: SJ x-coord: 4050 y-coord: 6580Zone: Outer BaileyFeature Name: Shire Hall / Assize Court Block

Phase/Construction Date(s): Phase 7 (Harrison)Description:Nineteen bay symmetrical block facing CastleSquare. The centre projecting portion of seven

bays is ashlared, with six giant unfluted Doriccolumns carrying a pediment set lower than theattic storey. The centre was designed as the ShireHall, and the two rusticated flanking portions were

built to accommodate incarcerated male andfemale debtors. The block is of one and a halfstoreys, and is connected to the two other rangesin the courtyard by colonnades of Greek Doriccolumns.

The Shire Hall, now Crown Court, is semi-circularwith a coffered ceiling, and the design may have

been influenced by J Gondoins Chirugie in the

cole de Medicin in Paris (1769-1774), one of themost celebrated buildings in Paris. Like theChirugie, the Shire Hall is placed behind a

pedimented frontispiece. The building wasextended to the right in 1875 when a new NisiPrius Court was built to the design of T MLockwood. The former goal Governors House,

with Chapel below, now the Grand Jury Room, istrapezium shaped, and projected into the prisonyard, rather in the manner of Jeremy Benthams

Panopticon design. The former prison yards, tothe left and right of the Shire Hall now containancillary Court buildings, completed in 1993.Some of the original basement cells are extantwith doors and barred segmental windows.

The total frontage is approximately 100 metres.

Statutory

protection:

Listed Building Grade I.Conservation area protection.

Condition: Externally generally good. Some localised areas of stone delamination.Significance: International (as part of a group with nos. 41, 43, 44, 45, & 52).

Vulnerability: Setting impaired by Parking in Castle Square.References:

Simpson 1925 p. 115. Demolition of caretakers house in 1875 as part of schemefor new Nisi Prius Court, designed by T M Lockwood, and erectedin 1875-6.

Simpson 1925 p. 118: Rearrangement of interior of Crown Court undersupervision of Mr Bridgewater, County Surveyor, in 1895-6.

Crook 1971 pp. 946-7. with ill. of the Shire Hall vault.Ockrim 1983 p. 74. Classical sources for the design of the Shire Hall.PRO 44/55 1817: Fire in west wing of County Gaol, much damage.PRO MPH 1/1162 1804 Plan of ImprovementsPRO 55/2544 1830 Ordnance Report

CRO QAB 2/1/8, 9, 16,30, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40,Harrisons plans and drawings


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41, & 51CRO QAB 2/6/56-60 Alterations, 1881-1898, including conversion of Governors House,

debtors prison etc for County purposes.Illustrations:

List

Description:

Court house block and offices. 1788-1801. By Thomas Harrison of Chester. Keupersandstone ashlar having slate roof with lead flashings. Set on a sloping site the

building has two storeys to the western front and four to the east. E-shaped block.Facade facing Castle Square: 19 bays symmetrically disposed. Projecting plinth,moulded string-course and cornice with modillion frieze and plain attic above, allrunning around whole of building. Central projecting portion of 7 bays of smoothashlar, the ranges to either side being of rock-faced rustication. Hexastyle GreekDoric portico with monolithic unfluted columns to centre and second row of columns

behind. Coffered ceiling above with rows of mutules to sides of coffers. Plaintympanum and attic above with moulding to top. Within the portico at ground floorlevel is a recession with three arched niches with flat backs and lateral double doorswith fanlights over at the level of whose springing runs a string course. Similardouble doors to near sides in concave arched niches. To first floor above all groundfloor portico bays are square, slightly recessed, panels with moulded surrounds. To

either side of the portico are further double doors with rectangular fanlights over andmoulded door surrounds and hoods supported on fluted consoles. Wrought iron lampbrackets immediately above and slightly recessed square panels with mouldedsurrounds to first floor. Ranges of 5 symmetrically disposed bays to either side.Central double doorways set in slight ground floor projections. Flat head withsplayed voussoire above. Above these in a plain piece of ashlar supporting a cornicewith modillion frieze. Ground floor windows to either side of these of 3 x 4 panesand first floor windows of 3 x 2 panes and with flat heads and splayed voussoirs. Toeither side

chester castle conservation plan vol ii

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