Sonning's status as site of the palace of the Bishops of Salisbury appears to have its roots in the reign of Edward the Elder (899-924). At this time, the old see of Winchester was subdivided, Berkshire and Wiltshire being transferred to a new see at Ramsbury. In some accounts, the Ramsbury see was shared with Sonning. In 1058, Ramsbury was united with Sherborne, then in 1070 or 1078 the episcopal seat was moved to Old Sarum. Sonning remained the site of the Bishop's Palace (at Holme Park, now Reading Bluecoat School) until 1574. The church was a Dean's Peculiar (i.e. it was under the control of the Dean of Salisbury), and when Dean Walter Scammel was created Bishop of Salisbury in 1284, the consecration was held in the church of Sonning rather than the cathedral.