Wolvesey Castle, also known as the "Old Bishop's Palace", is a ruined building in Winchester, Hampshire, England that was a bishop's palace, and was briefly fortified during the later years of Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester. History The first building on the site, an eyot in the River Itchen known as Wulveseye or Wulf's island, was constructed around 970 by Æthelwold of Winchester, the Bishop of Winchester from 963 to 984, as his official residence or palace. Winchester came under siege during the Rout of Winchester in 1141 by the Empress Matilda during the period of civil war known as The Anarchy, and held out for three weeks until relieved by Stephen's wife, Matilda. Subsequently Henry, the brother of Stephen, King of England, enlarged and fortified the palace by building a curtain wall, giving the palace the appearance of a castle. The fortifications were slighted by Henry II after the death of Henry in 1171. In June 1216, Oliver fitz Regis defended the castle when it was besieged by Prince Louis of France during the First Barons' War. The palace was the location of the wedding breakfast in 1554 of Queen Mary and Philip II of Spain. It was destroyed by the Roundheads during the English Civil War in 1646. The ruins are located next to the existing bishop's palace, near to Winchester Cathedral, and are currently owned and maintained by English Heritage. Palace The original palace on the site was built around 970 by Æthelwold of Winchester on a piece of land known as Wulveseye or Wulf's island, an eyot in the River Itchen east of the cathedral. About 1110, the second Norman bishop, William Giffard, constructed a new hall to the south west. His successor, Henry of Blois, brother of King Stephen added a second hall to the west between 1135 and 1138. A new palace in the baroque style was built to the south by Thomas Finch for George Morley in 1684. However, Brownlow North demolished all but the west wing of this palace in 1786. After a variety of different uses the remaining part was refurbished for use once again as the bishop's residence in 1926 by Theodore Woods. Fortifications The palace was the scene for the Rout of Winchester during the period of civil war known as The Anarchy in 1141. The Empress Matilda and Bishop Henry fought for possession of Winchester. The