The official residence of the Archbishop of York, Bishopthorpe Palace was built in 1250 by Archbishop Walter de Grey. The house is built using local magnesian limestone on the site of a former manor which also provided building materials for the new construction. The palace boasts some striking features including the coats of arms of various archbishops set in coloured stained glass as well as various other additions which have been commissioned by the dozens of archbishops to have held office at York.