Bishop Lloyd's Palace, Watergate Street, Chester

[longshanks]

Bishop Lloyd's Palace is a landmark building on the Rows in Chester, dating from before 1600, noted for carvings of biblical scenes on the frontage. The Civic Trust in Chester is trying to research its history, and I am posting this in the hope that some searchers on this site had ancestors who lived in it, who can give us insight into its past. In the 19th century there were houses in the back court and several divisions of the house into residences and shops. It has been variously known as the Upper Yacht, Palace Vaults, Harrison's Buildings, and towards the end of the 18th century was used as a girl's boarding school. The building originally extended from the south front of Watergate Street to Commonhall Street, so some residents had the latter as address.

[chempat]

Have you located the building in all the censuses, to see the names of the families living within it?

[longshanks]

Many thanks for your speedy response to my enquiry. We are working on census entries at the moment but the house, along with adjacent properties, was multi-occupation in this time period, including the court at the back, and this changes from census to census (a long list at times). It was decided to post on here at earliest opportunity.

While this would hinder people researching their own families, the hope is that some may have handed-down anecdotal information or photos that might be useful. Equally we may be able to answer questions others have about this property/locality.

We have access to a lot of drawings, engravings, paintings and photographs, but almost entirely of the frontage, which is famous, and was nearly exported to America in 1898. What we lack are images of the court, rear view or interior. Also information about alterations to the house (there were a number of reconfigurations of wall and stairs).

Thanks again for replying so soon.

[hanes teulu]

Interesting to read in the Cheshire Observer, April 1899 how Alderman Brown saved the building from  going to America - apart from two columns!!

The article mentions - "Behind the Palace was formerly one of the worst courts in the city, known as Brittain's entry, containing twenty two wretched tenements, and these Mr Brown has demolished and replaced by six model cottages".
The article mentions "Mr Lockwood, architect" being responsible for the 1899 restoration - presumably Thomas Meakin Lockwood & Sons? Checked Cheshire Archives on line catalogue - they have a number of the firm's papers but nothing for Bishop Lloyd's Palace?

[longshanks]

Many thanks for these leads. I will particularly follow up on the Lockwood papers in case there is anything.

There is quite a lot in the Brown family papers. Brittain's Court was actually about fifteen metres east of Bishop Lloyd's House, and Brown acquired it about the same time. It was crowded with small houses. The court behind Bishop Lloyd's had fewer houses and some in a good state from accounts. 

[Jo Harding]

A search of The National Archives for Bishop Lloyds Palace, Chester, produced about 5 hits:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=bishop%20and%20lloyds%20and%20palace%20and%20chester

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=bishop+lloyds+chester

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=bishop+lloyds+house+chester

There are more but they aren't all for this. The second search was for Bishop Lloyds Chester. This shows that there are holdings under Bishop Lloyds House, rather than Palace.

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=bishop+lloyds+house+chester

I think a trip to Kew might be necessary.

I think I have some details on this from old books on Chester that I have. I cannot access these at the moment as they are packed up pending move. I will look as soon as possible.

Jo.

[longshanks]

Thanks for this. A lot of material in here am trying to follow up. Some of the references to Bishop's Palace are the official residences of the bishops, but some very useful leads.

[longshanks]

Have checked through some censuses and ratebooks - families found here include Thomas William Pritchard, and from 1860 Charles Pritchard, who kept an inn, brewery etc on the street front. Also a grocer John Griffith who had a shop on the row and lived in the courtyard behind (known as Harrison's Buildings). Hassall & Foulkes brewers had some of their premises here. The back property was relatively uncrowded, but a second courtyard behind a neighbouring house accessed from Brittain's entry was very crowded. In the main Harrison's Buildings in 1841 were Elizabeth Orme shopkeeper, John Pritchard boot maker, Margaret Thomas and John Healey butcher. In 1861 there are Alice Jones and her son Cornelius Jones tailor, William Ball shoemaker, Thomas Nield carrier and Thomas Hankey stone mason.

If anyone recognises any family here in connection with which we might be able to find out more about the building history this would be appreciated.

For a time part of the Row building was used as the oratory and school for St Francis catholic community before their church was built on Grosvenor Street (but there was a later chapel down an entry further up Watergate Street). Information on the oratory is of interest.

[GillyJ]

Have you tried asking the proprietor of the antique shop on watergate street - the one with all the copper items etc half way down if he has any information. He does have some old photographic plates of Chester and may have some information. Also could the Cathedral have any information on the building? There may be some information in old church Registers which might indicate births or deaths at the building.