Buckden Towers

Buckden Towers, formerly known as Buckden Palace, is a 12th century fortified manor house, located on High Street, Buckden, Cambridgeshire, England (gbmapping|TL19246772).

Though often stated as being built in the 15th century, it was actually built in the late 12th century, when records show it as being used to house the Bishops of Lincoln. The tall brick tower was added in 1475, protected by walls and a moat, and surrounded by an outer bailey. It was used by the bishops until 1842. Since 1947, Buckden Towers has been used as a Christian Retreat and Conference Centre run by the Claretian Missionaries, together with the Catholic Parish Church of St. Hugh of Lincoln, which stands on the site of the great chamber of the medieval palace.

Little now remains of the bishops' moated palace except the great tower, the inner gatehouse, part of the battlemented wall, which used to surround the inner court within the moat, and the outer gate and wall.

Notable Visitors

* Henry III in 1248
* Edward I in 1291
* Richard III in 1483
* Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of Henry VII) in 1501
* Queen Katherine of Aragon - resided here from July 1533 to May 1534
* Henry VIII & Catherine Howard in 1541
* James I in 1619
* Prince Regent in 1814

External links

* [http://homepage.mac.com/philipdavis/English%20sites/132.html The Gatehouse]
* [http://www.buckden-village.co.uk/history/index.htm Buckden Village]

wow these towers are great i think i need to put some cheese on top