The Scandalous Duchess

FOLLOWING IN KATHERINE SWYNFORD’S FOOTSTEPS

Tempted to travel? Feel an urge to follow in the footsteps of Katherine Swynford and John 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, and I have added website addresses, but of course there are others.

Kenilworth Castle

The jewel in the crown for Katherine and John. 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 John of Lancaster.

Visit his Great Hall and dream…

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kenilworth-castle

Lincoln Cathedral

A magnificent church in its own right, but also the site of the tomb of Katherine and her daughter Joan Beaufort. An essential place of pilgrimage for those following in Katherine’s footsteps.

The cathedral close is where Katherine rented property and lived for many years in the Duke’s absence and in her final years as a widow.

lincolncathedral.com

Pontefract Castle

The most important Lancastrian stronghold in the north of England. Much ruined today, but still with a sense of the past when John of Lancaster used it as his base of northern power.

And of course where Katherine probably took refuge…

www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ Castlesandmuseums/Castles/PontefractCastle/default.htm

Also a very attractive and useful Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/Pontefractcastle

Tutbury Castle

Much ruined, but one of Duchess Constanza’s favourite places. Katherine must certainly have spent time there with her sister Philippa and the Lancaster household.

www.tutburycastle.com

Hertford Castle

Only the gatehouse survives of the original castle where Constanza spent much time.

www.hertford.net/history/castle

The Savoy Palace

Sadly destroyed and with nothing extant to see. 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, it remains a matter of great regret that it is lost to us along with all its treasures.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoy_Palace

Kettlethorpe

There is little left of the manor that Katherine would have known, but the gateway arch to the present Kettlethorpe Hall, an eighteenth-century building, is certainly fourteenth century and so probably constructed by Katherine. There are also the remnants of a deer park that Katherine acquired.

The church was much rebuilt in the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries and sadly has no Swynford memorials.

www.britainexpress.com/counties/lincs/churches/Kettlethorpe.htm