Warwick and Kennilworth

Stratford has Anglo-Saxon origins, and developed as a market town during the medieval period. The original charters of the town were granted in 1196, making Stratford over 800 years old. The name is a combination of the Old English strǣt, meaning "street", and ford, indicating a site at which a road forded a river. The "street" was a smaller Roman road connecting the larger roads Fosse Way and Icknield Street.

Of course it's main claim to fame is that Shakespeare was born here.

But there are also beautiful Tudor buildings.

We didn't pay to go into the house as it was very expensive and touristy.

We drove back to Warwick where we has stayed the previous night. We had intended to go through the castle but it would have cost 66 pounds for us to go in so we found an online self guided tour of the village and had a lovely time wandering around. I think we got better views of the castle from our walk than if we had paid all the money.

There were some lovely medieval streets around the castle precinct.

 

There has been human activity at Warwick as early as the Neolithic, and constant habitation since the 6th century. A Saxon burh was created at Warwick in the 9th century and Warwick Castle was established on the site in 1068 as part of the Norman conquest of England. The earldom of Warwick was created in 1088 and the earls controlled the town in the medieval period.

 

This is the Lord Leycester Hospital. These are a collection of superb half timbered medieval buildings established as a home for aged and infirm soldiers by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in 1571. He was the favourite of Elizabeth 1st.

During this time Warwick was given town walls.

Eastgate and Westgate survive.

Apparently Warwick has one of the best preserved original medieval street layouts.

Then it was onto Kennilworth Castle.

Kenilworth Castle is located in the town of the same name was constructed from Norman through to Tudor times, the castle has been described by architectural historian Anthony Emery as "the finest surviving example of a semi-royal palace of the later middle ages, significant for its scale, form and quality of workmanship". Kenilworth has also played an important historical role. The castle was the subject of the six-month-long Siege of Kenilworth in 1266, believed to be the longest siege in English history, and formed a base for Lancastrian operations in the Wars of the Roses. Kenilworth was also the scene of the removal of Edward II from the English throne, the French insult to Henry V in 1414 (said by John Strecche to have encouraged the Agincourt campaign), and the Earl of Leicester's lavish reception of Elizabeth I in 1575 the purpose of which is said to have been a proposal of marriage.

Final stop for the day was Baddesley Clinton Manor which is one of the finest moated manor houses in England, nestling in a lovely setting.

It has been described as 'the perfect late medieval manor house', and it is not hard to see why. The manor occupies an island hemmed in on all sides by a wide moat, where swans float peacefully. There are three ranges, or wings of the manor arranged around a lovely courtyard garden. At one time there was a fourth side on the west, making Baddesley Clinton a square, but the west range was demolished in the 18th century.

The house is approached over a two-arched bridge leading to an imposing gatehouse with a large Elizabethan window above the entrance.

The manor at Baddesley Clinton was probably begun in the 14th century, though there are no exact records to verify the date. It is indeed possible that the moat dates back to the 13th century. The house we see today was built in the 15th century, and has remained essentially unchanged since the 1630s.

Small doorways!

Much of what remains is the work of the Elizabethan, Henry Ferrers, who is responsible for the south wing the beautifully decorated interiors, which are a delightful example of Elizabethan style. The chambers are exquisitely panelled, and feature carved Elizabethan overmantles.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Baddesley Clinton is the presence of not one, not two, but three secret priest's holes. These hidden chambers were built during the height of religious strife in 17th century England, and afforded visiting Jesuit priests a place to hide from prying eyes. This priest home went down into the latrine. 4 priests successfully hid here for 4 hours during one raid.

Then it was onto Derby for our next overnight stay. It was a scary trip on the motorways.