Sudeley Castle’s ‘Footprints’ Of The Tudors
Awarded the accolade as “one of England’s most picturesque castles”, the manor of Sudeley Castle lies just to the east of the picturesque River Isbourne, a few miles from Cheltenham, on the edge of the Cotswold Plateau. Besides being renowned for its majestic beauty, the castle is well-known as one of the favorite palaces of the most infamous of all royal dynasties; the Tudors. Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII stayed there whilst, ahead of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, they investigated the authenticity of the relic of Holy Blood at Hailes Abbey. Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife lived, died and is buried there, whilst his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I most famously in 1592 celebrated the anniversary of her victory over the mighty Spanish Armada at the castle. She stayed for three days and was hosted at a huge expense by Giles Brydges, third Baron Chandos of Sudeley, in what was called one of the greatest celebrations in royal history.
Engraving of Sudeley Castle in 1732, showing the ruinous inner court, and still occupied outer court. (Public Domain)
Pre-history Of Sudeley
For the last four years Dig Ventures have been excavating the site every summer and made remarkable discoveries, including the site of a temporary Tudor palace related to Elizabeth I’s celebrations, traces of a great feast, garden features and finds relating to Winchcombe Abbey. All of which contributing to rewriting the rich and varied history of Sudeley castle, spanning several centuries.
