Kimbolton Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kimbolton Castle |
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The castle in 2011
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Kimbolton Castle is a large country house in Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire, England. It is famous for being the last home of Catherine of Aragon. She was the first wife of King Henry VIII.
The castle started as a medieval fortress. Over time, it was changed into a grand palace. From 1615 to 1950, it was the main home for the Earls and Dukes of Manchester. Today, Kimbolton Castle is home to Kimbolton School.
Contents
The Castle's Long History
Early Beginnings and Royal Connections
Kimbolton Castle was first built in the late 1100s. It was constructed by Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex. Later, in the late 1400s, Anne, Duchess of Buckingham, rebuilt the inner part of the castle.
In 1522, Sir Richard Wingfield bought the castle. After he passed away in 1525, his son Charles inherited it. The Wingfield family turned the medieval castle into a grand Tudor manor house. Some parts of their work can still be seen today.
Catherine of Aragon's Final Home
Kimbolton Castle became a very important place in English history. In April 1534, Catherine of Aragon was sent here. She was King Henry VIII's first wife. Catherine was sent to the castle because she refused to accept that her marriage to the King was over. She believed she was still the rightful Queen.
A diplomat's jester even tried to swim the moat in July 1534. This drew attention to Catherine's situation. The damp climate of the area was not good for her health. Catherine of Aragon died at the castle on January 7, 1536.
The Montagu Family and New Designs
In 1600, Sir John Popham bought the castle. Then, in 1615, Sir Henry Montagu purchased it. He later became the 1st Earl of Manchester.
The Montagu family owned the castle for many years. Charles Montagu, who became the 1st Duke of Manchester in 1719, made big changes. Between 1690 and 1720, he had much of the castle rebuilt. The south wing, which had fallen down, was rebuilt. Famous architects like Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor helped with the design.
Later, in 1766, George Montagu, 4th Duke of Manchester asked Robert Adam to design the castle's gatehouse. Many members of the Montagu family are buried nearby. Their tombs are in St Andrew's Church in Kimbolton.
A School Today
In 1949, Alexander Montagu, 10th Duke of Manchester sold the castle's contents. In 1951, the castle and its grounds were sold to Kimbolton School. Today, it serves as a school, continuing its long history.
Warren House: A Unique Building
On the castle grounds, there is a building called Warren House. This was once the home of the warrener. A warrener was a person who looked after the rabbits on the estate.
In the late 1700s, Warren House was turned into a "folly." A folly is a building built just for decoration. It has a special front facing the castle to make the view more interesting. Warren House is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is very important historically. The Landmark Trust owns it. They restored the house between 2011 and 2012.
More to Explore
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Kimbolton para niños
