Spanning more than 600 years, the history of Hever Castle is rich and varied. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1383. Between 1462-1540 it was the home of one of the most powerful families in the country, the Boleyns. Their daughter Anne Boleyn became the second wife of King Henry VIII. It was Henry’s love for Anne and her insistence that she became his wife rather than his mistress that led to the King splitting from the Church in Rome and creating the Church of England. She was the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. If she'd settled for mistress she would probably have lived longer, but then Elizabeth wouldn't have been queen and the whole course of history would be different!
Gradually the castle fell into decline and it's primarily thanks to the wealthy William Waldorf Astor who purchased it and the estates in 1903 that it survived.
He invested a tenth of his $100 million fortune, along with time and imagination in restoring the castle to create a lavish family home that also indulged his passion for history. The current owners are the Guthries, a Yorkshire based family.
It's lovely, a bit like a fairy tale castle. It’s not big but it is quite tall,
with compact towers
and a wooden door suspended from massive chains over the moat.
Inside a small courtyard leads to the main entrance.
The splendid Inner Hall
The modern drawing room where William Astor liked to entertain his guests. It's a beautiful room with decorated wood panel walls, tapestried couches, retro armchairs, a piano and a hidden drinks cabinet. It's easy to imagine what a comfortable life the Astors enjoyed.
The Dining Hall
where the Boleyn's would have entertained with lavish feasts.
The Queen of Cooks. I thought I would be able to zoom in to read the text but I can't. I don't know if the photo is Nancy Astor
Doge's throne. Venetian, walnut c.1600
The Long Gallery was used for entertaining guests, taking exercise, and displaying art collections.
Anne Boleyn's bed chamber
particularly the Italian garden
This poor hen duck was being pestered by the males, who then started fighting!
After leaving Hever we went to Teapot Island, a cafe and an amazing collection of teapots. Coming soon.
∼ Be safe and well∼
Polly x
Very opulent. Love the topiary! I've never been to Anne Bolyn's ancestral castle but I saw the spot at the Tower of London where she was beheaded. Real Games of Thrones stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt was - full of conspiracy, backstabbing and treachery. The popular thinking is that Henry engineered the false charges to get rid of her leaving the way clear for him to marry Jane Seymour in the hope that she would produce a male heir. In those days they didn't know that it's the male who determines the sex of a baby. Imagine telling Henry that!!
DeleteThis is a spot I've always wanted to visit and I know it won't happen on this trip, either. So I'm so grateful you shared photos. I love how the Astors did that drawing room, not at all so pretentious as I would have expected. The ceiling on that Long Hall -- sigh. And did you see any of the embroidery done by someone whose name I can't recall but know she was at Hever -- a lady in waiting, I think, and Elizabeth might be her first name but just as easily not. It's splendid, Polly. What a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteThe whole castle is beautiful but that drawing in particular, I could have moved in straight away :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful place! It must have been amazing to be in a place with so much history.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting castles, we have so many of them full of great history.
DeleteNow I want to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a long journey for you Liz.
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