Stone Castle facts for kids
Stone Castle is an old castle located in Stone, a town near the large Bluewater shopping center in Kent, England. This historic building was constructed between the years 1135 and 1140. It stands on a very important spot where William the Conqueror, a famous king, signed a special agreement with the local people of Kent, known as the men of Kent, back in 1067.
A Look Back: Stone Castle's Story
Early Owners and Important Visitors
Stone Castle was once owned by the Wiltshire family. A notable member of this family was Bridget Wingfield. She was a close friend of Anne Boleyn, who later became a queen. Letters written by Bridget were used during a difficult time for Queen Anne.
In 1527, several very important people visited Stone Castle. These visitors included Thomas Wolsey, who was a powerful cardinal, and Thomas More, a famous scholar and statesman. The Earl of Derby also came to the castle. This was around the same time that King Henry VIII was trying to marry Anne Boleyn, who lived at Hever Castle, about twenty miles away.
The Castle in Modern Times
During World War II, the castle was used by the RAF, which is England's air force. They occupied the building for their operations.
Today, Stone Castle is owned by a company called Blue Circle. In 2000, the land around the castle was leased to another company, Land Securities. Currently, a private ambulance company, Savoy Ventures, uses the castle.
