Monument record 10877 - Castle - Harrison Rebuild

The architectural history of the castle from the 1780s is dominated by the work of Thomas Harrison. His completed scheme comprised a central block with two flanking wings built over the former medieval outer bailey and beyond. The complex occupied a considerably greater area then the medieval castle. The central block consisted of the Shire Hall, with accommodation for male debtors on the north and women on the south. Behind was the Gaoler’s house, below which was a chapel; this overlooked the felons yard and wards which were built at river level. A drawing shows the gaol river façade wings to have been heavily rusticated. To the left of the central block was the barracks. The large court formed by these three ranges is entered by way of the propylaea. The scheme has been described as ‘one of the most powerful monuments of the Greek Revival in the whole of England. The decision to rebuild the outer bailey was taken in 1784 and in 1786 Harrison was awarded the first premium, the second going to William Cole who was subsequently closely involved with the building work. Construction of the central block began in 1788 and was substantially completed by 1802. Plans for the armoury were under consideration by 1804 and the plans for the barracks were approved in 1806. Work on the propylaea began in 1811 and was completed by 1815 (4).

<1> Colvin H.M. (ed), 1963-1982, The History of the King's Works, 1/607-612 (Book). SCH3161.

<2> Cox, E W, 1895, Chester Castle, Cox E W 1895 5/239-276 (Article in Journal). SCH5599.

<3> Simpson F, 1925, Chester Castle, A.D. 907-1925, Simpson F 1925 26/71-132 (Article in Journal). SCH5695.

<4> English Heritage, 2001, Chester Castle Conservation Plan (Unpublished Report). SCH6281.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<6> Ellis P, 1996, Excavations at Chester: Chester Castle the 17th century armoury and mint (Monograph). SCH6159.

<7> Wilson D & Hurst J, 1957, Medieval Britain in 1956 (Article in Journal). SCH5609.

<8> SNM Pipelines Ltd, 2012, Chester Castle, Chester, Cheshire: Archaeological Excavation (Client Report). SCH6819.

<9> Higham N J, 1984-9, Professor Nick Higham's Aerial Photographs, 1985/5/42 & 44, 1986/6/38, 40 (Aerial Photograph). SCH7659.