The Schwanenburg, Castle of the Dukes of Cleves

Posted By 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 Swan tower

The Swan tower

The golden swan on the Tower. It was placed there in the 15th century.

The golden swan on the Tower. It was placed there in the 15th century.

View from the Tower

View from the Tower

View from the Tower

View from the Tower

The remains of an 800 year old fountain

The remains of an 800 year old fountain

More fountain remains

More fountain remains

The castle in the time of Anne of Cleves, with the Duke Wilhelm Gate

The castle in the time of Anne of Cleves, with the Duke Wilhelm Gate

How the castle looked in Anne of Cleves' time.

How the castle looked in Anne of Cleves’ time.

The Dukes of Cleves

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.

Swan Castle

Swan Castle

Swan Castle

Swan Castle

The entry, with elements of the old knight's hall

The entry, with elements of the old knight’s hall

The prison

The prison

16th century handcuffs

16th century handcuffs

Inner courtyard

Inner courtyard

Inner courtyard

Inner courtyard

Old door lock

Old door lock

An old toilet which was discovered in 2011

An old toilet which was discovered in 2011

16th century secret closet

16th century secret closet

Moyland Castle, near Cleves

Moyland Castle, near Cleves

Moyland Castle

Moyland Castle

Mastodon