The Schwanenburg, Castle of the Dukes of Cleves
Posted By Claire on October 9, 2013
Thank you so much to Elena Homburg from Kleve for taking these beautiful photos of Swan Castle (the Schwanenburg), the former home of the Dukes of Cleves, the family of Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife. Anne is also said to have lived there before she travelled to England in 1539 to marry Henry VIII.
The Swan Tower
The Swan tower
The golden swan on the Tower. It was placed there in the 15th century.
View from the Tower
View from the Tower
The remains of an 800 year old fountain
More fountain remains
The castle in the time of Anne of Cleves, with the Duke Wilhelm Gate
How the castle looked in Anne of Cleves’ time.
The Dukes of Cleves
Anne of Cleves’ father, John III, Duke of Cleves, is the fourth one along (fourth from left) and her brother, William I, Duke of Cleves, is the fifth one along.
The entry, with elements of the old knight’s hall
The prison
16th century handcuffs
Inner courtyard
Inner courtyard
Old door lock
An old toilet which was discovered in 2011
16th century secret closet
Moyland Castle, near Cleves
Moyland Castle
Other articles you might be interested in:
22 September 1515 – Birth of Anna von Jülich-Kleve-Berg, known commonly as Anne of Cleves
27 December 1539 – Anne of Cleves Arrives in England
Happy Birthday Anne of Cleves!
27 December 1539 – The Arrival of Anne of Cleves
4 September 1539 – The Duke of Cleves Promises Anne of Cleves in Marriage to Henry VIII
4 September 1539 – A marriage arranged for Anne of Cleves
