The palace of William the Conqueror

The castle in the time
of William the Conqueror
(c. 1080)

   Located along the north rampart not far from the castle's original tower-gate entrance, William the Conqueror's residence was known only by the name of "Vieux Palais" (Old Palace), still used many centuries after the buildings fell into disuse. Excavations have unearthed remains of the 11 th century building, confirming this name.
A large, badly damaged rectangular hall was used from the 11 th to the 15 th century with at least one reconstruction. The fireplace and the foot of the staircase leading to the upper floor have been identified. There was an outbuilding extending out from this hall to the east. A number of small buildings that are hard to identify are built onto this unit which was probably William the Conqueror's state room (aula) and private apartments (camera), until his son Henry I Beauclerc built the Echiquier (Exchequer) Hall.
A princely residence, in the 11 th century, comprised a third element, the chapel (capella), the ruins of which are found here in a building perpendicular to the state room, as was common at the time. Reconstructed doubtless minus the chancel in the 15 th century, this building had a unique nave. It is known in the literature as " St George's palatine chapel".
Although badly damaged by wars and reconstructions, the remains of William the Conqueror's home add to our knowledge as to how an 11 th century palace would have been organised. Given the court's travelling life style, with the duke continuously on the move, meant that such amenities were to be found at the main castles where the duke stopped off.

Caen Castle c. 1150 after the building of the Exchequer and the keep Reconstitution by Ch. Fouetillou Source : Musée de Normandie