A review of the Church of England's management of medieval bishops' palaces

Abstract

The bishops of medieval England wielded great power, and their residences were often as splendid as those built for royalty. Today the majority of bishops live in far more modest accommodation, with only a handful of medieval palaces serving as official residences. In recent years, this number has been further reduced by the Church Commissioners, who have chosen to dispose of some of the most significant examples, on the basis that they are unsuitable residences and that their upkeep is a drain on the Church of England's limited resources. This article examines the current review process for diocesan bishops' accommodation, and suggests how a balance might be struck between the protection of heritage assets and the needs of the Church.