Archaeologists discover earliest ever foundations at Hampton Court Palace from 800 years ago



Archaeologists working at Hampton Court Palace have uncovered the earliest foundations ever found at King Henry VIII's famous royal residence.



The significant 13th century building remains predate any other finds made at the palace by nearly 200 years.



Archaeologists working at Hampton Court Palace have unearthed the earliest surviving building ever discovered at the historic site

The unexpected discoveries were made during excavations as part of a project to recreate Henry VIII's Tudor 16th century courtyards.



Stone foundations and walls of a substantial medieval structure measuring 10metres by 25metres were found in Base Court, the largest interior courtyard of the Tudor palace.

A spokesman from heritage charity Historical Royal Palace said: 'While there is much speculation by archaeologists and curators about what the buildings were and how they were used, some very interesting possibilities are being considered.



'One theory is that the larger and earlier structure might be a simple barn, or more tantalisingly a hall or residential building that was part of the large manor of Hampton Court when the site was in the hands of Knights Hospitallers, a revered order of military monks.'

An archaeologist analyses a section of 14th Century wall

The impressive discoveries were made during the biggest excavation project ever undertaken at Hampton Court Palace

'The residential theory concurs with a story of a visit by Edward III and his entourage to Hampton Court in 1353.

'During his stay a fire broke out - for which the King admitted blame - and he subsequently paid for the reconstruction work, bringing his carpenter from Windsor Chapel to oversee it.'

Archaeologists working on the site have unearthed evidence of a fire in this large building, possibly the very building destroyed by King Edward.

The building was subsequently rebuilt in the late 15th century to form part of a group, which were part of the estate of Giles Daubeney, Lord Chamberlain and favourite of Henry VII.

The excavations have revealed the stone foundations and walls of a substantial medieval structure

Experts also found a medieval water feature complete with 500-year old lead plumbing still in situ.This ostentatious feature is evidence of the wealth and status of residents of the manor estate who lived there including Giles Daubeney and Richard III's servant John Wode.



The spokesman added that the exciting finds have been carefully excavated and recorded by a team from Oxford Archaeology who will continue to analyse and study the results with curators after the excavations have finished.



The project to represent Base Court for the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne will be complete by March 2009.

This will then herald the beginning of a series of exhibitions, events and activities to mark the historic anniversary.