Heritage

The Maison Dieu

The Maison Dieu, the oldest of the Town Hall buildings, was founded by Hubert de Burgh, then Constable of Dover Castle in 1203.

In was not then built, as many have thought, as a church, but to provide short term accommodation for pilgrims travelling to or from the continent. Over the last 700 years the building has seen many owners and fulfilled many functions from military store to Council Chamber, from centre of local justice and punishment to concert hall.

Pilgrim’s Rest (1203 – 1544)

The original buildings of 1203 were probably little more than one substantial hall with a kitchen and living quarters attached for the Master and brethren who ‘practised hospitality to all strangers’. Wounded and destitute soldiers, some staying as permanent pensioners as well as pilgrims were accommodated, with the shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury ensuring a steady flow of visitors.

A CHAPEL was added to hall in 1227 and dedicated during a service at which Henry III was present. This chapel, converted into a courtroom still stands and may be seen as a part of the visit to the Old Town Gaol.

A Military Storehouse (1544 – 1834)

In 1534, the Master and Brethren of the Hall signed an oath accepting the supremacy of Henry VIII as Head of the Church of England, formally ending all religious connections with the Maison Dieu. In 1544 the building was surrendered to the Crown who until 1830 used its brewhouses, bakehouses, barns, stables and land as a supplies base for the army and navy.

Civic Pride (1834 – present day)

Between 1830 and 1834 the Board of Ordnance briefly used the Maison Dieu as a depot, but in 1834 it was re-sold to the Corporation of Dover who, constrained by their old Guildhall premises in the Market Square sought to turn the Maison Dieu into a Civic Centre of which Dover could be proud. At first, the building was only superficially refurbished for use as a meeting place for the Town Council. The old Chapel became a courtroom, and a prison was built below and to one side of the hall. There was a great desire to fully restore the building but little was done until 1851 when it was agreed to carry out work suggested by Mr Ambrose Poynter, an eminent Victorian architect.

Medieval Style

A further seven years passed whilst an attempt was made to raise funds for the project, until at last a proper programme of restoration began under the direction of WILLIAM BURGES, another famous architect of the Victoria era, funded almost solely by the Council.

Burges admired the style of medieval craftsmen and builders and this can be seen in his work such as the grotesque animals around doorways, and in the coats of arms of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports ranged along each side of the hall.

The STONE HALL with its magnificent pictures, stained glass, Cinque Ports Volunteers Flags, arms and armour is thought to be the ‘Great Chamber’ built in 1253. The hall is 124 long by 28 feet wide with four feet thick walls, strengthened by buttresses. The stonework decoration of the SIX WINDOWS on the south front of the hall, known as tracery, is a Victorian copy of the original 14th Century tracery. The stained glass windows depict six Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports in scenes from Dover’s past. These are also Victorian in date and were designed by Sir E J Poynter.

The SQUARE TOWER attached to the hall is fourteenth century in date and may be viewed to its best advantage from the exterior of the hall. We regret that this is not open to the public.

The COUNCIL CHAMBER at the end of the Maison Dieu Hall also designed by Burges was added in 1867. It contains pictures, including a half-length portrait of Elizabeth I purchased for 25/in 1598, Charters granted to the town, and a Cinque Ports Bailiffs Banner. Please ask one of the Hall Attendants if you would like to see this room.

Carving in the Maison Dieu

Stone Carving in the Maison Dieu

The CONNAUGHT HALL, adjacent to the Maison Dieu was built between 1881-3 as a meeting and concert hall for the town. The building also contains the rooms used by Dover’s Mayor and Charter Trustees. All were designed by William Burges, but completed after his death by PULLAN and CHAPPLE, his partners.

The MAISON DIEU is still a ‘living’ building and is one of the main meeting halls in the District used for conferences, banquets, fairs and concerts. It is therefore not always possible to view all or some parts of the building at all times. If you would like to ensure that the hall will be open of have any other query please ring The Hall Manager, Dover (01304) 201200.