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Baconsthorpe Castle Its most prominent feature is the massive gatehouse, which must be accessed via drawbridge to cross over a moat. The moat was excavated around three sides of the castle since the remaining east side was already protected by a lake. An outer gatehouse was added just to the south of the castle. This picture appears in the following picture tour: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 5D |
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Baconsthorpe Hall During the Civil War the family supported King Charles with the then owner of Baconsthorpe, John Heydon, acting as an artillery commander for the Royalist army. Their involvement led to the seizure of their estates in the aftermath of the war and a requirement to buy back the castle in 1657. This severely undermined the family’s wealth and parts of the castle were demolished in order to sell the building materials. The outer Gatehouse was converted into a separate dwelling known as Baconsthorpe Hall which was occupied until 1920. This picture appears in the following picture tour: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS REBEL SL1 |
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Baconsthorpe Castle A formal licence to crenellate Baconsthorpe was granted in 1561 to Sir Christopher Heydon who built the outer gatehouse. By this time the castle was the centrepiece of a vast estate earning huge venue from wool. The Eastern Range was modified for spinning and weaving of the Wool to produce cloth. However, with the bulk of their trade with the Netherlands, their income was severely hit by the Spanish Wars of 1588 to 1604. This perhaps prompted the involvement of Sir Christopher in the 1601 rebellion by Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex against Elizabeth I. This picture appears in the following picture tour: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS REBEL SL1 |
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Baconsthorpe Castle The castle was built by Sir John Heydon (d. 1480) without a formal licence on the site of an earlier manor known as Wood Hall. The house was built in the several stages between the middle and late 15th century. In 1561 Sir Christopher Heydon (d. 1579) was granted a license to crenellate the manor. He also added a grand outer gatehouse, barn, and courtyard. This picture appears in the following picture tour: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 5D |
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Baconsthorpe Castle This castle was built in the period from around 1460 to 1486 by John Heydon (died 1479) and Sir Henry Heydon (died 1504). It was built without a licence and initially consisted of a quadrilateral manor house which was later fortified. and it became increasingly large and more elaborate as the family's wealth grew. On the east side was a lake and the other sides were protected by a deep ditch. This picture appears in the following picture tours: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS REBEL SL1 |
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Baconsthorpe Castle Baconsthorpe Castle - inhabitants of the lake. This picture appears in the following picture tours: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS REBEL SL1 |
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Baconsthorpe Castle Baconsthorpe Castle, a moated and fortified 15th century manor house, that are a testament to the rise and fall of a prominent Norfolk family, the Heydons. Over 200 years, successive generations of this family built, then enlarged, and finally abandoned this castle. The Heydons were an ambitious family. They first made their fortunes through the Law profession and later from wool. John Heydon rose to prominence and influence as a supporter and ally of the 1st Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole. During the turbulent Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) John often switched political allegiances to serve his own purposes. Although he managed to amass great wealth, he also made many enemies, and was described by contemporaries as crafty and quarrelsome. His position meant he needed a secure base to operate from. This picture appears in the following picture tours: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 5D |
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Baconsthorpe Castle The ruins of Baconsthorpe Castle . This picture appears in the following picture tours: Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 5D |
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