Waldegrave – 16th and 17th centuries

When Anne of Cleves died in 1557 the Hever estate reverted to the Crown. In that year Sir Edward Waldegrave, a member of Mary Tudor’s Council, had been appointed one of the Commissioners for the sale of Crown land and promptly assigned himself the Castle and estate of Hever. When the Catholic Queen Mary died and the Protestant Elizabeth I came to the throne, Sir Edward was deprived of his appointments and was arrested for allowing Mass to be celebrated in his house. Sir Edward was sent to the Tower of London and remained there until his death in 1561.

Edward’s son, Charles, had risen in the world with his father, becoming a Privy Councillor and Master of the Queen’s Horse. However, with the downfall of his father, Charles lost all his appointments and retired to Hever Castle with his wife Jeronyma. As a Catholic, he could play no further part in national affairs and so he spent time refurbishing the Castle. 

When Charles died in 1589, his son Edward adopted Hever Castle as his principal residence. In 1642, at the age of seventy, Edward raised a regiment of horses and joined Charles I in the Civil War. He was created 1st Baronet of ‘Heaver’ Castle but died two years later.

The Castle

History

Uncover the history of the 14th century Castle once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Anne of Cleves, Sir John Fastolf and William Waldorf Astor.

Owners

Uncover more about the 12 different families that have owned Hever Castle from 1383 to the present day. See the stained glass created to commemorate them.

Timelines

Discover the history of Hever Castle, its owners and inhabitants as you travel through time from its construction in 1383 to the present day.

Rooms

Head inside the Castle and discover wood panelled rooms, roaring fireplaces and a vast collection of paintings.