St Davids Bishop's Palace
The 14th-century residence of the powerful Bishops of St Davids stands in a meadow setting beside St David's Cathedral. The Palace was built between 1328-47 by Bishop Henry de Gower. The Bishops of St David's were much more than spiritual leaders. Aside from appointing priests and supervising ecclesiastical matters across the huge diocese, they had to judge disputes and administer vast estates. The gatehouse remains, and houses an exhibition on the history of the site, and long sections of the encircling wall still stand. Though most of the buildings inside the walls are roofless, they are still impressive, especially the great hall and Bishop Gower's arcading and wheel window. One of the most distinctive features is the wonderful chequerboard stonework. (St Davids, Wales)
