Leeds Castle

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.

Sunday Sightseeing, A Lesson in History

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.

In 1321, the castle became the stage for a deadly confrontation that would echo through history. With her husband, Baron Badlesmere, away, Lady Margaret de Clare stood resolute as the castle’s keeper. When Queen Isabella of France, Edward II’s consort, arrived at the gates, seeking entry, Lady Margaret refused. Tempers flared, and Isabella’s attendants tried to force their way inside. Arrows rained from the battlements, striking down several of the queen’s party. Fury and outrage followed swiftly: Edward II’s forces laid siege to the fortress, pounding the walls until the castle could hold no longer. Lady Margaret was captured and spirited away to the Tower of London, where she would spend over a year in confinement – a defiant figure subdued, but remembered for her bold stand against the crown.

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.

Passage Through Time

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

Leeds Castle 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!