The dimensions are substantial: 60 acres of formal gardens and 750 acres of park, and eight thousand trees. Great Vine The Great Vine has particular interest. Started from a cutting by Capability Brown in 1769, it has grown to the…
Cardinal Wolsey Conduits were laid in to bring water from Coombe Hill. Henry VIII At the time of his marriage to Anne Boleyn, and possibly under her influence with experience of more sophisticated Continental courts, the formal gardens were developed,…
One supposes Wolsey knew what was in the wind, promotions of the kind he experienced don’t happen in secret, nor overnight. He consulted with his physician (who possibly had connections with the Hospitallers) on the healthiest building location, and only…
Daughters of the aristocracy were until fairly recent times considered as properties to be used by their parents to the best advantage of the family. The oldest son was the heir, traditionally the second son was the “spare” since there…