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Leeds Castle, Kent

Leeds Castle was originally a Norman fortification, built with over a thousand other castles to consolidate the Norman invasion of 1066. The original wooden castle was rebuilt in stone by its Norman owner Robert de Crevecoeur in 1119. Leeds Castle became a royal castle during the reign of Edward I in 1278. The castle chapel survives from the reign of Edward, built by him for the purpose of a daily Mass to be sung for his beloved wife Eleanor who died in 1290.

Edward was a ruthless king, but he clearly loved Eleanor. It is fitting that evidence of this affection should be linked with Leeds Castle. Generally speaking Leeds Castle has not been involved in war. There was some fighting in 1321 when Edward II was engaged in defeating his rivals among England's nobility. Edward besieged the forces of Bartholomew Badlesmere here, eventually taking the castle and executing the garrison. But for the most part Leeds Castle has a stronger association with love than war. One of the most romantic kings in history, Richard II, gave Leeds Castle as a gift to his adored wife Anne of Bohemia. Richard was a sensitive man, who aspired to peace in a warlike age. To escape constant power struggles waged by aggressive nobles, he would spend fleeting dreamy hours at Leeds Castle with Anne. The chronicler Jean Froissart describes how he presented a richly illustrated book to Richard at Leeds Castle in 1395. The king, Froissart wrote, was delighted when told that the book was "about love." A first edition of Froissart's Chronicles remains at the castle. It is heartening that a building originally created for war should have slowly turned into a extravagant gift for the ladies. Leeds Castle is a feminine castle. Apart from Queen Eleanor and Anne of Bohemia, it was also owned by Edward II's wife Isabella of France and Edward III's wife Margaret of France. Henry V also realised Leeds Castle's romantic qualities, giving it to his wife Catherine de Valois. A bedroom at the castle has been decorated to appear as it would have done when Catherine lived here. There are also displays related to Henry VIII who brought Catherine of Aragon here.

 

 

Leeds Castle remained a royal castle until 1552 when it was sold, and has been in private hands ever since. And that is really that. This castle has rarely seen battle, and has really been a smart hotel for hundreds of years. But that is not to belittle the importance of Leeds Castle. A castle is not necessarily designed for battle. The way a castle works as a symbol is equally, or even more important than its supposed physical strength. Visit an Iron Age castle such as Maiden Castle and there is a sense of castles using the same architecture as religious monuments such as those seen at Stonehenge or Avebury. Both use the same banks and ditches. Later in history churches with their towers and battlements would continue to share architecture with castles. Castles were built with the same features as monuments representing spiritual security and completeness. Leeds Castle is beautiful. So what if its current role as a residential conference centre reflects the role it has played for centuries? Conferences are good. It is better to talk than to fight. In its beauty Leeds Castle plays the role that ideally all castles should play.

Leeds Castle is a major music event venue. Many other types of event also take place. The firework display in November is very popular, and it is advisable to book ahead.

 

 

 

Opening Times: Leeds Castle is open every day except for Christmas Day, July 3rd and November 6th and 7th.

31st March to 30th September, grounds open at 10am, closing at 7pm, last admission 5pm.

October to 31st March grounds open at 10am, closing time is 5pm, last admission being 3pm.

The castle opens at 10.30am until 4pm.

Address: Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL

Directions: Leeds Castle is seven miles east of Maidstone in Kent. Come off the M20 at junction 8 and follow the brown tourist signs. Click here for an interactive map centred on Leeds Castle.

Access: Wheelchair access is good. Most of the grounds and castle are accessible.

 

Contact:

telephone: 01622 765400

fax: 01622 735616

web site: http://www.leeds-castle.com/index1.php3

e-mail: enquiries@leeds-castle.co.uk

for educational visits telephone: 01622 767865