besieged defenders of Wolvesey burnt with fireballs many of the houses of the city, and most of the old town of Winchester was destroyed. Empress Matilda's forces were held off for three weeks (August - September, 1141) until Stephen's wife, Matilda, arrived with reinforcements from London. After the siege, Henry fortified the palace by linking the two Norman halls with a curtain wall which would have finally obliterated any remaining parts of the Anglo-Saxon palace, and gave the place the appearance of a castle. Henry II is said to have slighted the palace after the death of Bishop Henry in 1171. This did not include the destruction of the residential quarters as many later occupants of the see of Winchester dwelled there in high state. But the gate and portcullis were likely removed and some breaches made in the curtain . It was once a very important building, and was the location on 25 July 1554 of the wedding breakfast of Queen Mary and Philip II of Spain. The palace was destroyed by Roundheads during the English Civil War in 1646. The chapel is the only considerable remnant of the south range of the palace, and is still in use, being attached to the palace. The castle was in close proximity to Winchester city walls, parts of which still exist today Current ownership The extensive surviving ruins are currently owned and maintained by English Heritage. The ruins have had Grade I listed status since 24 March 1950. A fair amount of the curtain wall remains, but nearly all the inner arrangements are gone, though it is possible to make out the hall, in which there is a good round arch and one surviving Norman window. See also Castles in Great Britain and Ireland List of castles in England Wedding of Mary I of England and Philip II of Spain References Castles in Hampshire English Heritage sites in Hampshire Episcopal palaces of the bishops of Winchester History of Winchester Tourist attractions in Hampshire Grade I listed buildings in Hampshire Ruins in Hampshire Ruined castles in England