SUDELEY CASTLE

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Mid 15th century castle, possibly on the site of a Stephanic castle, rebuilt in the late 15th century and altered circa 1572. It fell into a period of disuse and ruin after 1649. It was restored as a country house in 1837-40 and 1868-89. Further improvements took place in 1901-07 and in the 1930s. 16th century formal garden remains can be seen on aerial photographs to the south and east of the castle.

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(SP 031276) Sudeley Castle (AT) (1)

Re-built in the reign of Henry VI on the site of a Norman castle dating from the reign of Stephen. It is very unlikely that any of the earlier castle now remains (2), although in 1854 Sir Gilbert Scott thought there were indications of it below an apartment known as Katherine Parr's lodging (3). The 15th century castle probably consisted of two courtyards surrounded by a moat, all traces of which were obliterated in the 19th century. It was extensively altered and added to during the 16th century, but suffered severely in the Civil War, and was later neglected and used for building material until the 19th century, since when it has been gradually restored(2). (2-3)

Sudeley Castle is very well maintained, and as depicted in Godfrey's plan (2); it is now open to the general public. Published 1;2500 survey revised. See photos. (4)

Sudeley Castle, Grade 1. (5)

Sudeley Castle mid 15th c, though manor house on this site since Saxon times. Castle rebuilt later 15th c, altered c 1572 and slighted 1649. Major restoration and additions 1837-40 and again John D Wyatt 1863-89. Lesser improvements 1901-07 and again 1930s by W H Godfrey. Extensive modernisation to interior and parts of exterior carried out by the present family. Also RG listed Grade II*. (6)

Sir Ralph Boteler (1396-1473), Lord Sudeley, was responsible for building Sudeley Castle. In 1441 he returned from France and in 1443 he succeeded Cromwell as Treasurer. He is likely to have started building his castle on his return. The castle was crenellated in 1458 without a license. Boteler was forced to sell to the crown, Edward IV in 1469. The ornate suite on the east side of the building is usually attributed to Richard, Earle of Gloucestershire during his ownership (1469-78) (7-8)

After the castle finished being crown property it passed through a number of different owners and became uninhabitable. It was William and John Dent who started rehabitation of the castle and the work was completed for J H Dent-Broklehurst C1930-36 (9)

Sudeley Castle. Former Castle, now Country House. Mid 15thc for Ralph Boteler, late C15 for Richard III, much altered c1572 for Lord Chandos. Last home of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's widow; castle slighted 1649, purchased by Dents and restored by them (10)

The earthwork remains of a 16th century garden at Sudeley Castle are visible on aerial photographs. Some of this complex of earthworks had been surveyed but attributed as remains of an earlier manor house (SP 02 NW 13).

The earthworks to the east of the castle are partially obscured by shadow from the trees planted there so what can be seen from aerial photographs may not be all that survives. What can be made out are the remains of a parterre centred on SP 0330 2765 with possible traces of another to the west at SP 0325 2765. These are bounded on the northern side by a raised walkway ending at a prospect mound, previously attributed to a spoil heap associated with earlier excavations.

There are further earthworks within the same field to the north and south and further south within The Home Parks. A series of banks and channels can be seen running east-west at the northern edge of the park. At the western end of this group are further banks and channels aligned north-south.

These channels may have carried water either south to the stream there or west to Beesmoor Brook. Earthworks to the east of Beesmoor Brook at SP 0304 2742 may be the remains of a pond. A dam was built across Beesmoor Brook to create a lake, possibly during the 15th century and the earthwork seen at SP 0277 2768 may be the remains of this dam. (12)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1954

( 2) General reference

Sudeley Castle (Mary Dent-Brocklehurst) Illust Historical plan by W H Godfrey)

( 3) General reference

Annals of Winchcombe & Sudeley 1877 77 Illust (E Dent)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 JWS 10-JUL-73

( 5) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

Cheltenham Rural District. June 1948 Page(s)36

(6) English Heritage Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England

Gloucestershire Part 16

(7) Royal Archaeological Institute The archaeological journal

142, 1985 Page(s)334-35

(8) General reference

Platt C. 1984. Medieval Britain from the Air. 187

(9) by David Verey 1979 Gloucestershire : the Cotswolds

The buildings of England Page(s)438-40

(10) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

Tewkesbury Glos 1987 Page(s)126-27

(11) English Heritage Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England

Gloucestershire Part 16

(12) Vertical aerial photograph reference number

NMR SP 0327/45 (23333/22) 17-DEC-2003

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MONUMENT NO. 858745
SUDELEY

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Formal gardens and landscape park to Sudeley Castle. The formal gardens were laid out by brothers John Dent, William Dent and the Rev Benjamin Bent. A...

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