I love this stuff! Leeds Castle lies 5 miles (7.8 km) southeast of Maidstone, Kent, England, and dates back to 1119, though a manor house stood on the same site from the 9th century. The castle and grounds lie to the east of the village of Leeds, Kent, which should not be confused with the city of Leeds in West Yorkshire.
We have made our way out here for a Sunday’s sightseeing. Unlike our morning, the history of this place is fascinating.
Built in 1119 by Robert de Crèvecœur to replace the earlier Saxon manor of Esledes, the Norman stronghold became a royal palace in 1278 for King Edward I of England and his queen, Eleanor of Castile. Major improvements were made during his time, including the barbican, made up of three parts, each with its own entrance, drawbridge, gateway and portcullis.
During 1321 the castle was captured by the forces of Edward II from Margaret de Clare. The Baroness Badlesmere, wife of the castle’s constable, Bartholomew de Badlesmere, 1st Baron Badlesmere had left her in charge during his absence. But she had refused entrance to the King’s consort, Isabella of France, and when her party tried to force entry, she had her archers fire on the Queen and her party, some of whom were killed. The King later besieged the castle and Lady Badlesmere had instructed her archers to fire upon the Queen and her party, six of whom were killed. Lady Badlesmere was captured and kept prisoner in the Tower of London for over a year.
It’s not hard to imagine Kings and Queens walking the corridors, lounging in the parlours or being joined on a hunt by their courtiers through the grounds on the other side of the moat.
During the 13th to 15th centuries the castle passed from royal to royal. After Edward II, Queen Isabella held the castle and it passed on to Edward III. Richard II’s first wife, Anne of Bohemia, spent the winter of 1381 at the castle on her way to be married to the king and later, in 1395, King Richard II received the French chronicler Jean Froissart here, as Froissart described in his Chronicles.1
King Henry IV, Queen Joan of Navarre and Queen Catherine de Valois all held the castle during the span of history before Henry Tudor (Henry VII), Catherine de Valois’s grandson, brought the castle into Tudor times.
Henry VIII transformed the castle for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
The maze, which is also spectacular, was installed in 1988 with 2,400 yew trees. Although it is laid out in a square, the maze appears somewhat circular. It has a grotto in the centre and the pattern is supposed to reflect a queen’s crown. Perhaps a fitting reminder of the 6 queens who resided here throughout history.
Good To Know
Leeds Castle website has information about current opening times, activities and events.
Would I Return?
Yes. If only to run around the maze!
