The King’s Sister

FOLLOWING IN ELIZABETH’S FOOTSTEPS …

Tempted to travel? Feel an urge to follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth of Lancaster, even if it’s only through the internet or travel guides, from the comfort of your armchair? Here are some of the best locations associated with them.

Kenilworth Castle

The jewel in the crown for the Lancaster family. We think of Kenilworth in connection with Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, when much building was undertaken, but much of the pre-Tudor construction was planned by Elizabeth’s father, Duke John of Lancaster. This is where Elizabeth would have spent much of her young life. Kenilworth was the scene of her first marriage to John Hasting, Earl of Pembroke. Visit the magnificent Great Hall and dream …

www.english-heritage.org.uk

Windsor Castle

Elizabeth spent many days at the royal courts of her cousin Richard II and her brother Henry IV. Although the Court travelled frequently, Windsor was a favourite place for both kings, so Elizabeth would have been well acquainted with Windsor. The initial major reconstruction of the castle was done by her grandfather Edward III.

www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences

Tower of London

This was very much a royal residence and Elizabeth would have spent time here.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_London

Church of St Mary, Burford, Shropshire

Discover Elizabeth’s final resting place in her magnificent painted tomb in this tiny church near Tenbury Wells. It is the only physical evidence we have of her and is not to be missed.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary’s_Church,_Burford

Pleshey Castle, Essex

The scene of John Holland’s execution in 1400 still exists, but is much ruined, with banks and ditches and very little stonework. Much of it is not open to the public.

www.pastscape.org

Unfortunately there is so little to see connected with Elizabeth’s life. Many of the castles and houses associated with her have been destroyed or replaced by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century building.

The Savoy Palace

Utterly destroyed in the Peasants Revolt. But the Savoy Hotel is built on the site and, viewed from the Thames, it gives a superb idea of the extent and dominance of this incredible building that was completely laid waste. One of the finest palaces in Europe, with a wealth of valuable items collected by the Duke of Lancaster, it remains a matter of great regret that it is lost to us along with all its treasures.

Dartington Hall

John Holland’s new home was derelict by the 1920s, when it was rebuilt as the present Dartington Hall.

Burford Manor

The present Burford manor was erected in the reign of George II. Some remains of an earlier manor, presumably that of Sir John Cornewall, have been discovered in the gardens and beneath the present manor after an archaeological investigation.

Pultney House

No trace remains.

The Church of Holy Trinity, Pleshey

The church was rebuilt in the eighteenth century and contains no trace of the burial there of John Holland.

Ampthill Castle

More famous now for its associations with Henry VIII and particularly Katherine of Aragon, who was living there when news reached her of her divorce, Ampthill Castle in Bedfordshire no longer exists. Katherine’s Cross marks the place where it once stood.

www.ampthillhistory.co.uk