Bradgate House Ruins can be seen in the middle of the photo.
A magnificent Tudor house, reminiscent of Hampton Court and other great houses of the period. Bradgate House was one of the earliest unfortified mansions to be built in England and one of the first houses of its scale to be built in brick. It was started by Thomas Grey, 1st Marquis of Dorset, in about 1499 and his son completed it by 1520. Further additions were made some 20 years later and also in the 1600’s.
The completed house consisted of two main storeys with attics and was about 200 feet in length from east to west with two wings joined by a Great Hall and parlour on the north side.
The west wing was occupied by the great kitchen, bakery and servants’ quarters. The east wing contained the Chapel and the family apartments.
The house suffered damage when the first wife of the 2nd Earl of Stamford set fire to the north-west Tower but it was repaired in time for the visit, in 1696, of King William III.
Bradgate House ceased to be lived in after the death of the 2nd Earl in 1719. By 1790 it was in ruins and slowly falling into decay. The Ruins are now preserved by the Bradgate Park Trust.
Today the outline of this once magnificent house can still clearly be seen. The dwarf remains of walls, ruined towers – including Lady Jane Grey’s Tower, cellars, drainage channels, kitchen fireplace, bread ovens and much more. The only building that remains entire is the Chapel. However, it has been much altered over the years. It does, however, contain a fine alabaster tomb, a memorial to Sir Henry Grey, (who was created Baron, First Lord Grey of Groby by James I in 1603) and his wife, Anne Windsor. Sir Henry Grey was cousin of Lady Jane Grey and grandfather to another Henry Grey who was created First Earl of Stamford in 1628.
I put this on early this morning, then accidentally deleted it. So have put back on again. Sorry to those who had already commented or faved it.
Wow. I again am jealous of the land of such long history that you occupy. I always read everything I could get my hands on when I was younger. Wonderful layered shot.
The colour of this image is amazing. Has a beautiful feel about it. Seems to perfectly reflect the historical story attached to the ruins. Wonderful combination of image and text.
Oh yes, you were asking about my travels. I'n travelling on my own and I have now been cycling around the world for the past 7.5 years!! I cant actually believe that I have been travelling for that long!! :-)))
