Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Norfolk - Wymondham Abbey, Baconsthorpe Castle, Berney Arms Windmill, Starston Windpump, Castle Acre Castle (Paperback)

Chapters: Wymondham Abbey, Baconsthorpe Castle, Berney Arms Windmill, Starston Windpump, Castle Acre Castle, Thetford Castle, Buckenham Castle. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 26. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Baconsthorpe Castle is a fortified manor house, now a ruin, to the north of the village of Baconsthorpe, Norfolk, England (grid reference TG122382). It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building. 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 allies 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 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. In the middle of the south wall a three-storied gatehouse was built. This gatehouse was an important symbol of John Heydon's Lordship. It was also large enough to serve as a self-contained defendable residence in times of danger from Heydon's numerous enemies. The gatehouse had on the ground floor, two lodges, one housed a porter the other the chief servant. On the first floor there was a spacious suite of chambers for Heyden's famil...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=147685