Archbishop's Palace, Medieval archbishop's palace in Maidstone, England
The Archbishop's Palace sits on the eastern bank of the River Medway, built from local Kentish Ragstone with architecture from the 14th century. The structure includes several halls, chambers, and windows that show its role as an important residence.
The palace was built in 1348 under Archbishop Ufford and served as a residence for archbishops traveling between London and Canterbury. Its importance as an ecclesiastical seat declined after the Reformation and its conversion to other uses over time.
The great hall retains its wooden panels, tapestries, and stone fireplaces that speak to the religious importance of this residence. Visitors walking through can sense how these rooms once hosted the ecclesiastical leadership of the region.
The building now functions as a register office managed by Kent County Council and opens to visitors on specific Heritage Days throughout the year. Advance planning is helpful since access is limited to scheduled occasions rather than daily visits.
A small chamber in the rear of the building once held John Ball, a wandering preacher whose later sermons helped spark the Peasant's Revolt of 1381. This imprisoned religious figure became central to one of medieval England's most significant uprisings.
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