Auckland Castle: the development of an episcopal palace in County Durham to the 15th century

Abstract

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this PhD thesis explores the development of the Bishop of Durham’s palace of Auckland Castle, with a specific focus on the 14th century. During the episcopates of this period, the complex became the pre-eminent episcopal residence in the See of Durham, and the architectural footprint which would dictate its evolution over the subsequent six centuries was established. The form and nature of the structures in the complex were dictated both by the needs of the episcopal office and household, and the personal tastes and relationships of the prelates themselves as the patrons of the actual building works.
Though a site of exceptional importance, Auckland Castle has been the subject of a surprisingly limited amount of focused scholarship. Recent archaeological and building refurbishments works have however provided a crucial opportunity to examine the complex and reassess the nature of its historical layout. This thesis utilises the new finding to address this lacuna and provides a detailed and comprehensive assessment of the palace during the medieval period.
This study first takes a chronological approach, utilising a range of historical and archaeological evidence and data to establish, as far as possible, the layout of Auckland Castle both in the preceding 12th and 13th centuries, and then during the period of focus in the 14th century. It then explores in depth the historical context for several of the key structures (the great chamber, chapel, and gatehouse) alongside the lives of the bishops who initiated the construction. In this way the study aims to establish the fullest understanding of these high-status structures within the palace site, whilst enabling future wider comparison to occur with other elite residences across the northeast of England and further afield.