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small farm. 

2.  Survival of the fabric
A key aspect of the Palace at Charing is that no substantial remodeling of the
Palace took place after the work of Archbishop Winchelsea in 1298. The great hall, porch, second chamber block of the Archbishop's residence and both south and west ranges date from this time, although the building work may not have been completed until the 1300's. Accordingly a substantial amount of what
survives today is fabric of the 14^th century.


3.  Key buildings 


(i) The Great Hall


The hall at Charing is one of the largest un-aisled halls to survive in England, sadly the original roof was lost, having been replaced in the 18^th century by the present double span of much lower height. However, the great size of the hall (10.7 m wide by 21.8 m long), the surviving tracery window and the lower parts of the two storey porch give some idea of the splendor of the original conception.   


(ii)  Detached Archbishop's residence 

At Charing, the Archbishop's residence to the north of the court is more or less detached being connected only by a low narrow stone and brick corridor. The
isolation of the chapel (now ruinous) and the Archbishop's apartments from the rest of the complex is a highly unusual feature. This points to the possibility of the 14^th century work being based around an earlier building.   

(iii)  The lodging ranges


The most interesting 14^th century work lies in the south and west ranges. The south range contains the gateway, with separate entrances for carts and
pedestrians and evidence of the porter's lodge. Above the porter's lodge is a
well-appointed private chamber with its own fireplace and latrine. The rest of the south and west ranges appear to have contained lodgings for the growing retinue and staff of the visiting dignitaries.


Importantly, much has been written about 14^th and 15^th century lodging ranges of small private rooms, often heated and with their own latrines . However, the
earlier type of communal lodgings at Charing are rare and have not been studied. The survival of communal lodgings at Charing is, therefore, especially important.


(iv)  Redbrick additions

Noticeable are red brick additions to the Archbishop's private chambers and the great hall. These are attributed to Archbishop Stephen Morton, a renowned builder, responsible for rebuilding Wisbech Castle and the Palace at Hatfield. In 1493, Morton was granted a license to impress stone hewers in order to repair buildings in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. Accordingly, the brick additions may have been the work of Morton's successor Archbishop Wareham (1503 -1532).


Important historical events connected with the Charing Palace

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