Royal stories are never far from the headlines and if the modern monarchies can’t provide a tale then those who trod palace corridors before them are always on hand to give us a regal fix. This week, historic homes used by some of the most famous royals of them all have got everyone talking. Here’s a look at the royal history stories from the past seven days.
Elizabeth I
A castle with links to some of the most famous moments in Tudor history is causing a right royal row in Kent after a council bought it as part of a development plan. Westenhanger Castle has been purchased by Conservative controlled Folkstone and Hythe Council but some Labour members of the authority say the £2.9 million paid for the property could have been better spent on services for local residents.
Westenhanger traces its history back to 1343 and during the reign of Elizabeth I it was used to house troops defending England’s coast from the Spanish armada. Now it’s facing a war of words with the Conservative leader of the council, David Monk, saying the purchase will be a major boost for a local development going on in the area.
Mary, Queen of Scots
Westenhanger Castle has also been used as a wedding venue in recent times and now a castle associated with Elizabeth I’s long time foe, Mary, Queen of Scots could also be offering happy couples the chance to say ‘I do’.
Workington Hall in Cumbria will be restored by the local council there with one idea being to turn the renovated property into a venue for civil marriages. Mary, Queen of Scots fled to it as she arrived in England in May 1568 having lost a crucial battle to try and regain her throne which she had been forced to abdicate the previous year.
Owain Glyndwr
The last Welsh born Prince of Wales made the news this week when a virtual reality version of his one time home was launched. The online creation of his fortified house near Sycarth on the border between England and Wales was created for a festival being held in Denbighshire, another area said to have been used as a base by Glyndwr.
The virtual reality showcase has been created by Vivid Virtual Reality . Toby Niesse from the company said he used his knowledge of buildings in the Middle Ages to help bring the home alive – nothing actually remains of the residence. Visitors to the Festival of Flame in Corwen will be able to see the video between September 13th and 16th 2019.
