Bishop Lloyd's Palace
Picture: Not Known
About this image:
This illustration dates to about 1728.
The publication 2000 Years of building reads:
Bishop Lloyd?s Palace, a house rather than a palace, was built for George Lloyd, Bishop of Sodor and Man from 1597 to 1605. He was Bishop between 1605 and 1615. The undercrofts at street level date from the Middle Ages but the bishop?s house above was to an entirely new design.
The date carved on the westernmost front gable indicates completion in 1615, the year of George Lloyd?s death. There is no evidence that he or his family took up residence, yet nearly 400 years later, the building still bears his name.
In fact this property was originally two town houses. The main fa�ade, with a pair of ornate oak-framed gables facing onto the street, reflects something of the original form but underwent a radical restoration in 1899. The Chetser architect T M Lockwood rebuilt the steps from the street and much of the gable to no.51.
Eight carved panels between the Row beam and the window above depict the arms of James 1st and of Sodor and Man, plus Biblical scenes. Between window head and the tie beam are ten arched carved panels, and three to each side of the attic window. Some of the brackets on the Row posts are Jacobean, carved with bearded giants, beasts and an owl, shapes like ships figure heads; the lighter brackets are Lockwood?s carved replacements of earlier timbers.
The Row storey contains shops, now with no visible features of special interest, but the recessed porch between them leads by an oak stair to a pair of great panelled chambers, one under each gable overlooking the street.
The house is now the headquarters of the Chester Civic Trust, which also administers its use by other organisations or individuals for lectures, classes and social functions. It is open to the public for several hours a week and can by visited by groups by prior arrangement.
Image Description:
This is a black and white illustration of Edgar's Academy showing Bishop Lloyd's Palace.
The building has a triangular shaped gable facing onto the street. The wooden gable is carved with decorative studs. There is a sash window located in the attic space of the roof at the side of the gable. A female figure is looking out of this window. Above the window is a timber triangle, again the timber has been decorated with carved studs. The window is framed with timber.
Either side of the window set into squares are wooden carvings. The top image on the right hand side appears to resemble a mythical figure and underneath that slightly to the right is a sun. Next to the sun on the left is what looks like two mermaids but the precise detail is difficult to see. The carvings to the right of the window are more difficult to make out, but there are what appears to be mythical figures and beasts.
Below these carvings is a decorated timber beam with a swirling pattern running horizontally along its length. Beneath that are ten panels, again each with individual carvings set into them. The panels are rectangular with carved decoration in the form of flowers and geometric shapes. An arched shape surrounds the image. The images include figures, animals, mythical creatures, foliage and symbols of varying types. At either side of the carvings are carved wooden braces that help support part of the roof.
Below the designs is a carved timber running horizontally across the width of the building. Beneath this are three sash windows divided into 24 panes each. The windows are surrounded by a simple rendered wall. Beneath the windows are another eight panels with carved decoration. The panels are rectangular in shape and have carved figure on them. The detail is difficult to discern from this photograph but there are some Biblical scenes such as the image to the left of the row of Adam and Eve with the tree of knowledge in the centre. Beneath the carvings is another horizontal carved timber running the width of the building.
The upper portion of the building sticks out over a row level or walkway which runs beneath the building. This is supported on highly decorated timber stilts and braces. A carved barrier prevents people from tumbling off the row to the street level below. There is a set of steps leading from the street to the row level above situated to the left of the barrier. This has a lamp above hanging from a carved timber frame at the top of the steps. Children can be seen running down the steps to the cobbled street below.
At street level there is a wooden door, perhaps leading to an under croft area. There are planks leaning against the wall to the right of the wooden door.
To the left of Bishop Lloyd's Palace is another timber framed building with triangular gable facing the street. Where the roof tops meet and form a V a brick chimney sticks up into the sky above. This building has a similar form to Bishop Lloyd's but without the elaborate decoration. Above the three sash windows is a sign which reads 'EDGAR'S ACADEMY.' The entrance into this building is situated at the top of the steps. A lady and gentleman are leaning over the barrier looking into the street below.
At street level is a wooden door which is locked and next to that a stable style door with the top half open and a gentleman looking out from within. To the left is a window.
Next to this building is a Georgian style building. Four windows with decorative lintels are situated above row level. The row continues underneath this building and also has a protective barrier. Two columns can be seen beneath the row. A well dressed lady stands looking out from it next to the barrier.
At street level is a beautiful wooden door with iron studded decoration. There are people on the cobbled street below and in the centre of the picture in the foreground is a man with a donkey laden with sweeping brushes.
To the right of Bishop Lloyd's Palace is another timber building with triangular gable. Only a small portion of this can be seen. We may note one window above row level and one at street level. Above the latter window is part of a sign which reads G. WOOD. G...BELL HAN...
A lady carries a pale and gentleman walks by carrying a walking stick and whilst a small dog skips obediently behind.