Palace of the Bishop of Winchester

These ruins are of the palace of the powerful Bishops of Winchester. The palace was one of the largest buildings in medieval London. The palace was built in the 12th century by Bishop Henry of Blois, the brother of King Stephen. This was a palace designed so the bishops could be in comfort when they visited London on business. What remains are the walls of one of the main rooms on the south bank of the river Thames. The wall had doors to access the kitchen, and a beautiful carved window. The rest of the palace was organized into two courtyards. It had a jail and even a butcher ... The bishop had private apartments with leisure gardens to relax.