More information : [TQ 8364 5324] Leeds Castle [NR] (1)
Leeds Castle, Kent, is a moated castle consisting of a barbican, bailey and keep built on three islets connected to each other and the bank by drawbridges. The site was originally fortified by the Normans, but only the cellars at the north-east end of the bailey remain of their work, the present buildings date from 1280. (2)
Leeds Castle, a private residence, is as described above. There are considerable modern additions. Castle and moat are in excellent condition.
See GP's AO/61.76/7 Barbican from south-east: /8 Castle from south.
AO/61/74/1 Watergate from south, /2 Castle and Keep from west. (3)
Leeds Castle is one of the most important medieval buildings in Kent. It is built on three islands in a lake fed by the River Len. Its original builders were the Crevequer or Crevecoeur family who founded Leeds Priory in 1112. From them it passed to the Crown about 1299. Edward I carried out some work there. In 1359 William of Wickham, Bishop of Winchester, became Warden of the Castle and partly rebuilt it. Richard II and Henry IV both resided here. In 1420 Joan of Navarre, the second wife of Henry IV, was imprisoned here. In 1440 Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester, the aunt of Henry VI, was tried here for sorcery. During the reign of Henry VIII, the Warden of the Castle, Sir Henry Guildford partly rebuilt the Castle at the King's expense. Sir Richard Smythe again rebuilt the main inhabited portion
about 1616, and this was rebuilt once again by Fiennes Wykeham-Martin in 1822.
The Outer Barbican. The ruins of this to the west of the Gatehouse on the western island, the west tip of which is in Leeds Parish, are the oldest surviving portion of the Castle. They probably dated from the 13th century.
The Gatehouse. 13th to 14th century.
The Outer Bailey. Late 13th century. The curtain wall which forms the Outer Bailey rises from the bed of the moat and runs right round the centre island, with four semi-circular bastions.
The Bath House. Towards the west end of the south face of this wall are two pointed arches which give entrance to this bathing place, now a boat-house. It was made by Edward I in 1291-2.
The Maiden's Tower. The building was erected during the reign of Henry VIII.
The main portion of the Castle. This was rebuilt by Fiennes Wykeham-Martin in 1822 on the site of the house built by Sir Richard Smythe about 1616. Some of the cellars date from the early 17th century or from the medieval period.
The Gloriette or Keep. This stands on the north-east island and was originally joined to the centre island by a drawbridge only. It is now linked to it by a bridge with a castellated parpet over that dates from 1822. The lower portion of the building dates mainly from William of Wickham's rebuilding in the mid 14th century, but the upper storey was rebuilt by Sir Henry Guildford during the reign of Henry VIII. (4)
Additional bibliography. (5-8)
Leeds Castle is now open to the public. (9)
Leeds Castle, Grade I. Castle, early to mid 12th cenury, with 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th century alterations. Partly rebuilt 1822 by Fiennes Wykeham-Martin. Interior remodelled first half of 20th century. Motte-and-bailey castle with shell keep, moated from at least 1272. Two islands. Owned c. 1114 to mid 1260s by de Crevecoeur family. Became Royal possession c. 1272/1278, forming part of Queen's dowry. Granted to Sir Anthony St. Leger of Ulcombe 1552. Bought by Sir Thomas Colepepper from Smyth family 1632. (For full description see list.) (10)
Additional Biliography (11-37) |