Hanworth Manor

Description

The site of Hanworth House and Park, a royal residence of Henry VIII. It had belonged to the Crosby family before being acquired by Henry VII towards the end of his reign and officially became property of Henry VIII in 1515. The manor of Hanworth dates back to the 11th century, however there is no record of the park until the 16th century and it may have been created by either the Crosbys or Henry VIII. During Henry VIII's reign Hanworth became a royal seat and Henry spent much time there. In 1532 Henry VIII bestowed Hanworth on Anne Boleyn, soon to become his queen, and the residence was extensively decorated. After Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536 the house reverted back to the king but in 1544 the estate was given to Queen Catherine Parr who retained it until her death in 1548. In 1558 Queen Mary granted Hanworth House, Park and Manor to Anne Duchess of Somerset but it was not until 1627 when the freehold was relinquished and the house ceased being a royal residence. The new owner Lord Cottington largely rebuilt the house with stables and various garden houses and walls, but in 1797 the house was destroyed by fire and a subsequent house was built in a different location. Very little of the Tudor Hanworth house remains apart from a small stretch of moat and various architectural and decorative features which have been incorporated into later buildings. These include red brick vaults of former kitchen fireplaces, part of the garden wall and two terracotta roundels. These roundels are very similar to examples at Hampton Court Palace which were supplied to Cardinal Wolsey by Giovanni Di Maiano, and they may date to the time when Anne Boleyn was redecorating the house. Various 18th century garden houses and walls are all that remain of the later phases of the house. (PastScape)