Photograph of Cheyney Court and The Close Gateway, Winchester
Taken about 1870
For centuries a significant area of Winchester came under the jurisdiction of the Bishop rather than the city authorities, Cheyney Court being the Bishop's court house which was presided over by the bailiff of the soke. This dual legal system was finally done away with in 1835. The building, which lies on the south side of The Close, was restored and converted to a dwelling house towards the end of the nineteenth century when the plaster was removed to reveal some fine woodwork.
To the right, with several children in front of it, lies Close Gate. Originally this was an entrance in the old precinct wall of St Swithun's Priory which, until its dissolution by Henry VIII, shared the site with the Cathedral.
The photograph was taken by Winchester photographer William Savage (1817-87) and is found in an album of his work.
