Suffolk Place facts for kids
Suffolk Place was a grand house, also known as Suffolk House. It stood in Southwark, a busy area on the south side of the River Thames in London. This important house was the London home for the powerful Dukes of Suffolk.
It was located right on Borough High Street, a main road that led from London Bridge to places like Canterbury and Dover. Many important people, including kings and queens, used this road. Even the pilgrims in Chaucer's famous book, Canterbury Tales, would have traveled this way.
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Building a Grand Home
Suffolk Place was first built in the 1400s. Later, in 1522, it was rebuilt in a beautiful new style called Renaissance by Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. Charles Brandon was a very close friend of King Henry VIII.
King Henry VIII Takes Over
On February 4, 1536, King Henry VIII took over Suffolk Place. He traded it with Charles Brandon for another house called Norwich Place. This new house was closer to the Palace of Westminster, where the King often stayed.
A Royal Residence
King Henry VIII gave Suffolk Place to his wife, Jane Seymour, in June 1537. However, she sadly passed away in October of the same year, and the house went back to the King.
In 1545, the house was changed into a mint. A mint is a place where coins are made.
A Queen's Stopover
Queen Mary I and her new husband, Philip II of Spain, stayed at Suffolk Place in 1554. They spent the night there before making their grand entry into London. This might have been when the house was drawn by Anthony van den Wyngaerde in his famous picture of London.
What Happened to Suffolk Place?
Suffolk Place was torn down in 1557. Small homes were built on the land where it once stood. This area became known as The Mint. Over time, it became a crowded and not-so-nice neighborhood.
Today, a modern office building called Brandon House stands where Suffolk Place used to be. It is located at 180 Borough High Street. A nearby street, Suffolk Street, also helps us remember this important historical house.
