عنوان

Knole :

Number

TLets554668

Title Proper

Knole :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Gregory, Alden John Dudley

Title Proper by Another Author

an architectural and social history of the Archbishop of Canterbury's house, 1456-1538

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Sussex

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2011

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of Sussex

Text preceding or following the note

2011

Text of Note

This thesis analyses new evidence for both the architectural and social histories of the late-medieval Archbishops of Canterburys' house at Knole in Sevenoaks, Kent. Built and occupied by a succession of archbishops between 1456 and 1538, Knole is today regarded as one of the most significant medieval houses in Great Britain. Using newly discovered summary building accounts the thesis suggests a new interpretation of the building phases of the house. This has reattributed most of the major phases to Archbishop Bourchier (c.1411 - 1486) and suggests that by the time of his death much of the extant fabric had been completed. Significantly it also suggests, for the first time, that Bourchier may have been responsible for building the ranges surrounding Green Court; a part of the house that has previously been attributed to later owners of Knole. The thesis also suggests that of Bourchier's successors at Knole only Archbishop Warham (c.1450 - 1532) made any significant alterations to the building and attributes to him the timber-framed ranges around Pheasant Court and the east front, including the Brown Gallery. In addition to its architecture, the thesis also considers how a house like Knole was used by the archbishops and discusses the evidence for its differing functions. It compares Knole to other late-medieval houses and palaces, most significantly to the nearby house at Otford; another property built by the Archbishops of Canterbury. The thesis concludes that, alongside some ritual and business functions, Knole's primary role was as a country retreat away from the demands of Court and politics.

NA Architecture

NA4590 Religious architecture

NA7100 Domestic architecture. Houses. Dwellings

Gregory, Alden John Dudley

University of Sussex

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y