Bridewell Revisited: Finds From A Lost Palace

Abstract

SUMMARY The location and layout of Bridewell Palace, Henry VIII’s first major building project, have previously been documented through both historical research and archaeological excavation, though the latter has been extremely limited when compared to the extent of the palace complex. This article deals with the discovery of building remains that apparently formed part of the palace but are located beyond the generally accepted bounds of the precinct. Apart from the structural remains the excavation at Dorset Rise also recorded a remarkable assemblage of animal bone that probably derived from the king’s lavish kitchen. Finds analysis provides a more detailed picture of everyday life in the palace than previous excavations at Bridewell which focused heavily on the structure of the building.