Thornbury Castle
Encyclopedia
Thornbury Castle is a castle in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire
, England
. It was begun in 1511 as a home for Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham
. It is not a true castle (designed to serve as a fortress), but rather an early example of a Tudor country house, with minimal defensive attributes. It is now a grade I listed building.
The site was occupied by a manor house in 930. Part of the original plans for a very grand residence were "well advanced" before the duke was beheaded, in 1521, on the orders of his distant cousin Henry VIII
, for alleged treason
. As in the King's palace at Sheen
, the main ranges of Thornbury framed courts, of which the symmetrical entrance range, with central gatehouse
and octagonal corner towers, still stands, as do two less regular side ranges with many irregular projecting features and towers.
Following the Duke's death Thornbury was confiscated by King Henry VIII of England
, who stayed at the castle for ten days in August 1535 with his queen, Anne Boleyn
. Following the English Civil War
, the castle fell into disrepair, but was renovated in 1824 by the Howard family
. It is situated behind St Mary's Church, a church whose founding dates from the Norman period.
The castle is now a 26-room luxury hotel and restaurant, and a venue for weddings.
Thornbury, South Gloucestershire
Thornbury is a market town in South Gloucestershire, England, approximately 12 miles north of the city of Bristol, with a population of 12,342 at the 2001 UK census. The town hosts South Gloucestershire Council headquarters and is twinned with Bockenem in Germany. Thornbury is a Britain in Bloom...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was begun in 1511 as a home for Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham
Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham
Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, KG was an English nobleman. He was the son of Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and the former Lady Catherine Woodville, daughter of the 1st Earl Rivers and sister-in-law of King Edward IV.-Early life:Stafford was born at Brecknock Castle in Wales...
. It is not a true castle (designed to serve as a fortress), but rather an early example of a Tudor country house, with minimal defensive attributes. It is now a grade I listed building.
The site was occupied by a manor house in 930. Part of the original plans for a very grand residence were "well advanced" before the duke was beheaded, in 1521, on the orders of his distant cousin Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, for alleged treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
. As in the King's palace at Sheen
Richmond Palace
Richmond Palace was a Thameside royal residence on the right bank of the river, upstream of the Palace of Westminster, to which it lay 9 miles SW of as the crow flies. It it was erected c. 1501 within the royal manor of Sheen, by Henry VII of England, formerly known by his title Earl of Richmond,...
, the main ranges of Thornbury framed courts, of which the symmetrical entrance range, with central gatehouse
Gatehouse
A gatehouse, in architectural terminology, is a building enclosing or accompanying a gateway for a castle, manor house, fort, town or similar buildings of importance.-History:...
and octagonal corner towers, still stands, as do two less regular side ranges with many irregular projecting features and towers.
Following the Duke's death Thornbury was confiscated by King Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, who stayed at the castle for ten days in August 1535 with his queen, Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
. Following the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, the castle fell into disrepair, but was renovated in 1824 by the Howard family
Howard family
The Howard family is an English aristocratic family founded by John Howard who was created Duke of Norfolk by Plantagenet monarch Richard III of England in 1483. However, John was also the eldest grandson of the 1st Duke of 1st creation...
. It is situated behind St Mary's Church, a church whose founding dates from the Norman period.
The castle is now a 26-room luxury hotel and restaurant, and a venue for weddings.
Images
 |
 |