Hunting game was the preserve of the aristocracy and deer parks provided a form of recreation, foodstuffs for feasting and an arena for crucial political and economic deals to be made.

The stone chamber was accessed through a large, buttressed central doorway and had a timber upper floor which allowed views over the deer park from ornately carved windows.

However, the chamber was only a small part of a large, multiphased complex of buildings which is known to have existed at Clipstone from documents, geophysical survey and archaeological excavation.

These included a gatehouse, tower, individual hall and chambers for the King and Queen, several chapels, kitchens, stables for 200 horses, and lodgings for many royal retainers.

Clipstone remained an important royal centre until the late fifteenth century when the English monarchy began to focus on other residences.

King John's Palace was consolidated during 2009 by Paul Mendham Stonemasons during a conservation project funded by English Heritage and Nottinghamshire County Council.

[1] Wright is of the opinion that the extant building dates from the period of Henry II given that it bears several Romanesque architectural features which were phased out by the end of the 12th century.

[9] In 1282, Edward I ordered the construction of a stable capable of accommodating 200 horses, and John Steane is of the opinion that it was intended to provide for the entire entourage of the Household, or possibly even act as a royal stud.

Further considerable repairs were carried out between 1367 and 1375 by William Elmeley, who in 1360 had been appointed clerk of the works at the manor of Clipstone and the lodge of Bestwood.

[15] A map of Sherwood Forest dating to c.1400 survives in the archive at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, and shows Clipstone Park as a clearly defined emparked area circled by a pale fence.

"[19] The manor and park of Clipstone finally passed out of royal ownership for the last time on 11 October 1603 when James I granted it to Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy.

Cornelius and then his son, James, and finally his daughter in law, Sarah, continued the tenancy until 1889 when the public house closed its doors for the last time [25] Clipstone Park was virtually destroyed during the period of the English Civil War and Protectorate.

Cavendish supported the Royalist cause and went into exile in 1644, and during his absence the pale fence and trees were used to fuel the Parliamentary war-effort and the deer stocks depleted.

On returning from exile in France Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle, estimated the losses at £20,000 and described the scene as she witnessed it in 1665: "The fences torn down and used in the production of charcoal whilst the park denuded of its great oaks, leaving the deer and other animals no food or shade, so causing their demise.

"[27] Thoroton's description backs up in words what Senior hints at in his depiction of the King's Houses – that there was only a single structure left on the site by the 17th century.

Much of the fabric of the palace complex would have been robbed piecemeal for building projects within the village and wider estate such as Clipstone Hall (founded prior to 1609).

[29] Four late 18th century antiquarian images exist of the extant ruins of the King's Houses by Francis Grose (1772),[30] Samuel Hieronymus Grimm (1773),[31] Major Hayman Rooke (1790) and John Throsby (1790).

[32] William Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland, instigated an irrigation scheme of flood meadows for 7.5 miles (12.1 km) along the course of the River Maun between Carr Bank Wood, Mansfield and the parish boundary between Edwinstowe and Ollerton.

[33] Shortly after the completion of the scheme in 1844, White's Trade Directory described the ruins: "The only part of the palace now remaining stands in a large field close to the village and seems to have been the hall.

The foundations have been formerly extensive, with several large vaults, but in 1816 a great part of these were dug up, to be employed in draining, which the Duke of Portland then commenced upon his estate here; and it appears much spoliation was made on the venerable walls, though it is said his Grace had given strict orders to the contrary.

[36] In 2009 Paul Mendham Stonemasons were instructed by the architect Peter Rogan to complete a full scale consolidation scheme including pointing, grouting, pinning back, under-building, and soft-capping the ruin.

2) A large high resistance linear anomaly is interpreted as probably a ditch filled with rubble or the remains of a wall, and probably represents the edge of the manorial complex this is corroborated by 17th century mapping evidence which shows the 'Manor Garth' (manor enclosure) being separated at this location from the 'water field' to the west.

[43][verification needed] In April 2011, Channel 4's Time Team filmed an episode of the long running archaeological television programme at King John's Palace.

[46] The excavation discovered a ditch c. 5.5 metres (18 ft) in width associated with the buried soil horizon of an internal bank coupled with archaeologically sealed finds of 13th-14th century pottery has led to the early conclusion that this was indeed the palace boundary.

[47] Mercian Archaeological Services CIC Volunteers and staff excavated 15 test pits in Kings Clipstone, during February 2013.

[48] James Wright undertook a standing building survey of Brammer Farm House and Arundel Cottage during February 2013.

"[citation needed] The palace site is a Grade II listed building[50] and Scheduled Ancient Monument[51] standing on private land.

However, the site is open to visitors subject to advance application to the Bradley family (the landowners) of Waterfield Farm, King's Clipstone.

The panel was written and designed by James Wright and features a reconstruction drawing, by local artist Ray Straw, of the palace complex as it may have appeared in the mid-14th century.