DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32038#0060
28
PLATE 30—44.
THORNBURY CASTLE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
The ruins of Thornbury Castle are well known to the admirers of ancient archi-
tecture for the elaborate and beautiful style of the windows, chimneys, and other
ornamentS; and have often formed the subject of picturesque views: but the details
have never before been displayed in a manner calculated for practical imitation.
The parts now remaining were built in the reign of Henry VIII., by Edward,
Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, whose
untimely fate prevented the completion of a magnificent design, in which he
had been engaged about ten years. The manor of Thornbury came into the
possession of this nobleman’s family by the marriage of his ancestor Ralph, Earl
of Stafford, with Margaret, daughter and heiress to Hugh de Audley, Earl of
Gloucester. This earl, who was a distinguished man in the warlike reign of
Edward III., died a.d. 1372. The Duke of Buckingham was one of the most
wealthy and powerful persons of his time; held the important ofhce of Lord
High Constable of England, and was a Knight of the Garter. He is said to have
owed his fall to the resentment of Cardinal Wolsey, whom he had wilfully
affronted. This is not unlikely, as we know that the unbounded favour of that
haughty prelate was regarded with great indignation by the old nobility, who
despised Wolsey for his obscure parentage; and he, on the other hand, was well
aware of the jealousy which Henry VIII. entertained towards the peers through
apprehension of their opposing his sovereign will, which could never brook the
least control. The Duke of Buckingham was arrested at Thornbury Castle,
and conducted to London, where he was tried by twenty peers, Thomas
Howard, Duke of Norfolk, being constituted Lord High Steward of England
on that occasion, who declared him guilty of high treason, chiefly on the evidence
of Charles Knevet, a gentleman who had been formerly a steward to the duke;
and who, being dismissed from his office for misconduct, sought revenge by be-
traying his rnaster. The duke pleaded in his own defence with great ability; and,
proudly conscious of his innocence of treason, refused to beg his life. Of course,
the remorseless Henry consigned him to execution, and his head was struck off
on Tower Hill, May 17, 1521.* Henry Stafford, only son of the duke, was
* The particulars are relatecl at lengtli in Hall’s and Hollingshed’s Chronicles, from which
Shakspere copied in his play of Henry VIII, Dr, Fiddes, in his Life of Cardinal Wolsey, has
PLATE 30—44.
THORNBURY CASTLE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
The ruins of Thornbury Castle are well known to the admirers of ancient archi-
tecture for the elaborate and beautiful style of the windows, chimneys, and other
ornamentS; and have often formed the subject of picturesque views: but the details
have never before been displayed in a manner calculated for practical imitation.
The parts now remaining were built in the reign of Henry VIII., by Edward,
Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, whose
untimely fate prevented the completion of a magnificent design, in which he
had been engaged about ten years. The manor of Thornbury came into the
possession of this nobleman’s family by the marriage of his ancestor Ralph, Earl
of Stafford, with Margaret, daughter and heiress to Hugh de Audley, Earl of
Gloucester. This earl, who was a distinguished man in the warlike reign of
Edward III., died a.d. 1372. The Duke of Buckingham was one of the most
wealthy and powerful persons of his time; held the important ofhce of Lord
High Constable of England, and was a Knight of the Garter. He is said to have
owed his fall to the resentment of Cardinal Wolsey, whom he had wilfully
affronted. This is not unlikely, as we know that the unbounded favour of that
haughty prelate was regarded with great indignation by the old nobility, who
despised Wolsey for his obscure parentage; and he, on the other hand, was well
aware of the jealousy which Henry VIII. entertained towards the peers through
apprehension of their opposing his sovereign will, which could never brook the
least control. The Duke of Buckingham was arrested at Thornbury Castle,
and conducted to London, where he was tried by twenty peers, Thomas
Howard, Duke of Norfolk, being constituted Lord High Steward of England
on that occasion, who declared him guilty of high treason, chiefly on the evidence
of Charles Knevet, a gentleman who had been formerly a steward to the duke;
and who, being dismissed from his office for misconduct, sought revenge by be-
traying his rnaster. The duke pleaded in his own defence with great ability; and,
proudly conscious of his innocence of treason, refused to beg his life. Of course,
the remorseless Henry consigned him to execution, and his head was struck off
on Tower Hill, May 17, 1521.* Henry Stafford, only son of the duke, was
* The particulars are relatecl at lengtli in Hall’s and Hollingshed’s Chronicles, from which
Shakspere copied in his play of Henry VIII, Dr, Fiddes, in his Life of Cardinal Wolsey, has