| somersham.info | Home | Useful Links |
| Email somersham.info |
The Origins of the Bishop's Palace
From the reign of Henry II there is clear evidence of a manor house at Somersham run by the Bishop of Ely. The Bishopric had only been created 40 years before and William Longchamps was the fourth Bishop. The repairs to the house and the wages for a gardener tell us that the Bishop's palace can trace its origins at least as far back as 1169, if not earlier.
2 Richard 1 Mich 1190
De Novis Promissis
Episcopus Elyensis r. c. de 1 m. pro habendis liberatatibus boscorum suorum de Sumeresham secundam testimonium carte sue. In camera R. Radulfo f. Godefridi per breue R. 1 m. Et Quietus Est.
The Bishop of Ely returns an account of 1 mark for the rights in his woods of Somersham granted according to his charter. Granted in camera by Radulfo, Godfrey under the Kings writ, 1 mark.
1 Richardus 1 1189
Williamus (Longchamp) Elyensis electus redditionem computat de xl s. per novo Wasto | Veti in Summesham | Bluntesham. In perdona per libertatem Carte. R. inspexi(?) electo. xl s. Et quietus est.
William, Bishop elect of Elyreturns accounts for 40 shillings for new and old wastes in Somersham/Bluntisham. Permission granted by a charter of the king.
34 Henri II 1188
Episcopus Eliensis debet xl s pro novo wasto et veteri in Sumeresham et Bluntisham.
The Bishop of Ely owes 40 shillings for new and old wastes (clearing the forest to create farm lands) in Somersham and Blunytisham
31 Henri II 1185
Idem vicecomes reddiderunt comp. De j m villata de Sumersham pro wasto. In thesauro liberavit. Et Quietus Est.
And the same sheriff returns the accounts for the town of
19 Henri II 1172
Et [in reparatione domorum de Sumersham xiii s ] ix dies per idem breve.
And (in repairs to the House at Somersham 13 shillings) 9 days (labour) by the same writ.
19 Henri II 1172
Et Gardinario de Sumersham viii s viii d
And (to pay for) the gardener at Somersham 8shillings and 8 pence
18 Henri II 1171
Et Gardinario de Sumersham viii s viii d
And (to pay for) the gardener at Somersham 8shillings and 8 pence
16 Henri II 1169
Et Gardinario de Sumersham viii s viii d
And (to pay for) the gardener at Somersham 8shillings and 8 pence