Beaumont Palace facts for kids
Beaumont Palace was a royal palace built a long time ago. It was located just outside the city of Oxford in England. King Henry I had it built around 1130. He wanted a comfortable royal home close to his favorite hunting spot in Woodstock. Today, you can find a street named Beaumont Street in Oxford that reminds us of the palace. A special stone on this street tells us that two famous kings were born near here: King Richard I in 1157 and King John in 1167.
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Beaumont Palace: A Royal Home
Built for Kings
King Henry I used Beaumont Palace often. In 1133, he held a huge celebration there. This was for the birth of his grandson, who would later become King Henry II. The palace was a grand place for royal events.
Later, King Edward I was the last king to officially live in Beaumont Palace. In 1275, he gave the palace to an Italian lawyer named Francesco Accorsi. Francesco had helped the king with important diplomatic missions.
Changing Hands
The palace changed hands again after a famous battle. In 1314, King Edward II was fleeing from the Battle of Bannockburn. He promised to build a monastery for the Carmelites (also known as the White Friars) if he escaped safely. To keep his promise, he gave Beaumont Palace to the Carmelites in 1318.
In 1318, something unusual happened at the palace. A man named John Deydras claimed he was the true king of England. He even tried to take over the palace! However, his claim was found to be false, and he was punished for trying to trick people.
What Happened to the Palace?
When the White Friars were disbanded during the Reformation, Beaumont Palace was mostly taken apart. Its stones were reused to build parts of other famous places in Oxford. These included Christ Church and St John's College.
An old drawing from 1785 shows some of the last remaining parts of Beaumont Palace. The very last pieces were removed in 1829 when Beaumont Street was created. Today, only the street name and the special plaque remind us of this important royal building.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio de Beaumont para niños
