Here’s Tim’s diary entry for day four of the Executed Queens Tour…
Today we travelled down from Coombe Abbey, in the Midlands, to Hever Castle, in Kent. I absolutely LOVE Hever Castle, and it seems to hold a magical aura for all Tudor history fans. After our buffet lunch in the Astor wing, we decided to walk up to St. Peter’s Church.
St. Peter’s is, in many ways, a very typical parish church of the area, but for those who love the Boleyn family it is incredibly special. Inside is the tomb of Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, with its beautiful memorial brass. There is also a small brass plaque commemorating the death of Henry Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s brother, who died in childhood.
Although I have been into St. Peter’s Church many times, I’m always touched by the place. It is very special indeed. And today I found some new (old!) graffiti on the walls, dated 1705. All because I sat down on the organ pew. It is amazing what you find in these old churches!
I also enjoyed strolling (in the rain) around the grounds and through the Italian garden, stunning!
This evening we had a private tour of the castle (this time by a costumed guide) and then enjoyed our evening banquet in the main castle dining room. As I had hoped, they lit the fire in the huge fireplace as it was a bit cold and wet here today. The fire really adds to the ambiance of the place. Great food, great conversation and an out-of-this-world location. This evening we are going to sit around and put the historical world to rights…
See today’s photos:
Hever Castle Gardens and St Peter’s Church
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theanneboleynfiles/sets/72157630050184311/
Hever Castle Tour and Dining
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theanneboleynfiles/sets/72157630114156714/
I love Hever Castle too and not just because of Anne Boleyn. It has the same charm as Leeds Castle, a short distance away and we owe a debt of gratitude to twoAmerican millionaires, Waldorf Astor and Olive, Lady Baille for saving them.
Sigh!! I am so envious,(in a nice way) Hever, once seen, never forgotten and a place you will ever yearn to go back to … have a wonderful time. Are you not there this time
Claire? cos haven’t seen any photo’s of you.
No, I’m not there as I’m busy working on my next book. Would love to have had my Hever fix but just couldn’t do it 🙁
You poor love…never mind not too long before you are…hope the book is coming along as you would like, don’t work to hard!!
How great, being in Hever Castle! If ever I had a wish, it would be to go there, where the portrait of Queen Anne is hung with the red Lancastrian Rose. One day, along with the chapel, and the grounds, etc. – on day is just not enough.
The graffiti on the back of one of the pews is most interesting as well.
I remember:
“also a small brass plaque commemorating the death of Henry Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s brother, who died in childhood.”
when Claire did a video on this site, and with such investigative techniques, knowing the end’s and out’s and concluding that this was the most certain right grave which had been thought to be that of the other Boleyn brother who dies young! It was fantastic! I wish Claire would put it back on here.
I am also just about to bust at what Claire’s new book is about, as she has informed us is not about the Tudors. Also the four papers from detailed analysis from primary documennt, as only Claire can do!
Tim, I hope you are not getting too tired, as I read more each day (I missed yesterday, but better late than never) I get tired, and can see why a friend of mine once backpacked through the whole thing in college at UVA! What a whirlwind!
I will defend Queen Anne as long as I am around! She was innocent of all charges brought against her! Queen Anne did give England one very special gift, Queen Elizabeth I! Queen Elizabeth I was the greatest absolute monarch that countyr ever had!
“This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes:..” Psalms 118:23