| Eltham was first mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086. In 1295 the manor came to be owned by Bishop Bek, a bishop, soldier and statesman. He carried out building work and created parks around the palace. Edward I frequently stayed at Eltham and in 1305, Bishop Bek gave the palace to Edward I’s son, The Prince of Wales. From the fourteenth century Eltham was one of the largest and most frequented royal palaces in England. Generations of royalty added buildings and gardens to enhance the palace. Between 1475 and 1480 Edward IV constructed the Great Hall, which still survives today. The fine hammerbeam roof was restored in the 1930s. |
