View, across the River Medway, of the Archbishops Pallace in Maidstone, Kent
The Archbishop's Palace is an historic 14th-century and 16th-century building on the east bank of the River Medway in Maidstone, Kent. Originally a home from home for travelling Archbishops from Canterbury, the building is today principally used as a venue for wedding services. The first work on the current building was ordered by Archbishop Ufford in 1348 and was continued by Archbishop Islip between 1349 and 1366, partly with materials from a palace at Wrotham. At the end of the 14th century Archbishop Courtenay expanded the establishment in Maidstone when he founded the neighbouring College and Church of All Saints.[3] The palace was enlarged and improved by Archbishop Morton in 1486, but it and the College were given to Henry VIII by Archbishop Cranmer in exchange for property elsewhere. Henry VIII granted the palace to Sir Thomas Wyatt, but the estate was forfeited to the Crown in 1554 following the rebellion led by his son, Thomas Wyatt the younger, against Mary I. It was later given by Elizabeth I to Sir John Astley, son of John Astley, Master of the Jewel Office. Astley extended the palace, building much of the existing structure. On his death there in 1639, he bequeathed the manor to Jacob Astley, 1st Baron Astley of Reading. Lord Astley died at the palace in 1652 and it passed to his son and grandson, the second and third barons. On the death of the third baron in 1688, the barony became extinct and the palace passed to his cousin Sir Jacob Astley. In 1720, Sir Jacob sold the palace to Robert Marsham, 1st Baron Romney who lived at nearby Mote House. The palace was subsequently sold by the Marsham family. At the beginning of the 20th century it was used as a Territorial Army medical school. Today the palace is managed by Kent County Council and primarily used as a register office. It is only open to the public on regular "Heritage Days". The Kent Garden's Trust tends the Apothecary's Garden which is open to the public between May and August.
Size: 5431px × 3633px
Location: River Medway, Maidstone, Kent
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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