This week I spent a couple of days staying at the Leicester Arms Hotel in Penshurst, in order to visit Hever Castle (childhood home of Anne Boleyn, later given to Anne of Cleves) and Penshurst Place (where Henry VIII used to stay when he was visiting Mary Boleyn, and possibly Anne, later). I've wanted to visit Hever Castle for years, and both places were so worth the long journey. The surrounding countryside is so beautiful, and the weather was perfect.
I went with my sister, Julia, and writer friend Gemma Lawrence; if you haven't read her wonderful Tudor and other historical fiction, you really ought to. :)
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Hever Castle
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| In the 'morning room' |
Gemma knows more about the Tudor period than anyone I've ever met, so having her company around these places was such a treat, and made it all mean so much more—especially when she pointed out where such and such a scene in one of her books took place.
Probably the bedroom Anne and Mary slept in as children
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| Anne Boleyn's Book of Hours |
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The room in which Henry VIII would have stayed when he visited. Not all of it dates back to this period, but the ceiling is the oldest part; I liked looking up at it and thinking, this is what he would have seen....
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| The Long Gallery, created in 1506 by Thomas Boleyn |
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| Elizabeth Woodville |
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One of my favourite women of history, Margaret Beaufort |
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Henry before he ate all the pies
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| Henry VII |
The Rose Garden
Penshurst
Where the term 'the dole' comes from. 😉
Penshurst Place
The Baron's Hall, that dates back to 1341. Totally amazing, none of these rather crappy photos even begin to do it justice.
The Minstrels Gallery ~ imagine looking down from it, and seeing Anne dancing with Henry....
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| Anne Boleyn finally deigned to make an appearance :) |
