Cranbourne Lodge facts for kids
Cranbourne Lodge was once a special house used by the people who looked after the royal hunting grounds called Cranbourne Chase. This area is now part of Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, England. Today, only a part of the old house, called Cranbourne Tower, still stands. It's a very old and important building.
The Story of Cranbourne Lodge
The story of Cranbourne Lodge began a long time ago, in the 1200s. This was when the big royal forest near Windsor was split into different parts. A proper house was built there during the time of King Henry VII. Later, his son, King Henry VIII, let his close friend, Richard Weston, live there.
Many years later, in 1638, Anne Hyde was born at Cranbourne Lodge. She later became the mother of two future queens of England. The house was changed and made bigger many times. For example, Sir George Carteret lived there and was visited by the famous diarist Samuel Pepys. The biggest version of the house, which included the tower we see today, was built in 1808.
Princess Charlotte's Time at the Lodge
In 1814, a young royal, Princess Charlotte, lived at Cranbourne Lodge. She was the daughter of the Prince Regent, who later became King George IV. Her father and mother, Caroline of Brunswick, did not get along, and his relationship with Charlotte was also difficult.
The Prince Regent wanted Charlotte to marry quickly. An engagement was planned with William II of the Netherlands in 1814, but Charlotte soon ended it. She was interested in Prince Augustus of Prussia, even though he was not considered a suitable match for a future queen. In July 1814, her father sent away her trusted staff and made her move to Cranbourne Lodge. She was kept there with new staff chosen by him.
The Prince Regent was not very popular with the public. Princess Charlotte, however, was seen as a champion for ordinary people. Her being kept at Cranbourne Lodge made many people upset. Even famous poets like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote about it.
Later, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld became interested in Charlotte. After getting her father's permission, Leopold visited her at Cranbourne. Charlotte was finally allowed to leave the Lodge in January 1816. She and Leopold were married in May of that year. Sadly, their marriage was short. Little over a year later, Charlotte died while giving birth.
Princess Charlotte was the only grandchild of King George III who could become queen. Her death caused a big problem for the royal family. This led to her uncles rushing to marry and have children, which eventually led to the birth of Queen Victoria.
Cranbourne Tower Today
Today, only the Cranbourne Tower is left of the old Cranbourne Lodge. It is now a private home. The main part of the house started to fall apart in the 1800s, especially its roof. So, in 1865, the main house was taken down. However, the tower was saved because it was a strong, separate part of the building.
