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London, Day 5: Out of Town

July 13, 2008 by WendyB

Yesterday we took a taxi, two trains, a bus and another taxi (one way) to visit the ruins of Kenilworth Castle.

Kenilworth

Why was I so determined to get there? Because the castle has many links to the royal ladies in my life.

  • The castle was given to its first owner by Empress Matilda‘s dad, Henry I.
  • In 1327, Isabella’s husband Edward II was forced to abdicate while imprisoned at Kenilworth.
  • Katherine Swynford‘s lovah, John of Gaunt, owned the castle later in the 1300s.
  • In 1563, Elizabeth I gave Kenilworth to her down-low BF, Robert Dudley, who threw her a tremendous house party in 1575. It was such a good party, people are still talking about it! (By the way, Robert Dudley was the brother of Lady Jane Grey‘s unfortunate husband, Guilford.)
  • It’s the setting for Sir Walter Scott’s novel, Kenilworth, which is about Elizabeth, Robert and Robert’s wife, Amy.

Of course, the only woman mentioned in any of the signs and guidebooks we saw was Elizabeth. God forbid we admit that Matilda and Katherine existed! That might be dangerously interesting to people.

Close-up at Kenilworth

Anyway, parts of the castle were destroyed by those humorless anti-royalists during the civil war of the 1600s, and it was all downhill from there for most of the Kenilworth buildings.

The giant windows in John of Gaunt’s Great Hall

Fortunately, the gatehouse that Robert Dudley built survived, and various families lived in it over the years — as recently as the 1930s.

The gatehouse

I think history is really my niche, don’t you?

My niche.

I was going to molest one of the flowers in front of the gatehouse, but someone beat me to it.

“Buzz off!”

After Kenilworth, we went to the nearby city of Coventry to see the amazing cathedrals. The original cathedral, built in the 1300s, was in use until World War II, when the German bombing destroyed nearly all of it. The ruins were kept intact and a new cathedral was built immediately next door. It’s a very moving experience to see them next to each other. And we were right on time for about an hour of bell-ringing. We could see the bell ringers at work in the tower of the old cathedral. They looked like they were getting quite a workout.

I wish I had time to visit Warwick Castle (once owned by Robert Dudley’s brother) and Lincoln, but it’s on to Warsaw today. Alas! I will have to come back soon.

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Filed Under: pictures of me, queens, travel

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aretha says

    July 13, 2008 at 10:48 pm

    That looks like a very romantic place, perfect for a wedding…

  2. Sharon Rose says

    July 14, 2008 at 12:49 am

    Excellent post-I didn’t know the history behind Kenilworth, but it all makes sense now as to why you were keen to visit! Lovely pics too! Wow, you certainly got around during your stay-you put us to shame with what you’ve seen and what you know here in England-haha!! It was a real pleasure to see you this trip and heres to more visits in the future-happy and safe travelling, Wendy!!

  3. coco says

    July 14, 2008 at 4:01 am

    It looks lovely. It is nice it wasn’t raining. You have been lucky with the weather!

  4. elle says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:02 am

    that looks like a great day out! you should definately visit warwick castle sometime though!

  5. Emma says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:13 am

    you’re the best! keep the holiday posts coming! I am working 24/7 and dreaming of travelling far, far from where I am 😉

  6. Imelda Matt says

    July 14, 2008 at 6:06 am

    even in platform wedges you fit nicely in your niche!

  7. Sam says

    July 14, 2008 at 7:06 am

    ooh, it looks gorgeous there! sounds like a great time.

  8. Times of Glory says

    July 14, 2008 at 7:10 am

    Dear, what a great visit! I have always loved the history part behind the Kenilworth. It gives much more mysterious feelings than other castles. It was such a pleasure to meet your husband and you this time! Hope you have a safe journey home! See you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  9. Mer says

    July 14, 2008 at 7:35 am

    wow, looks great!

    I will be in London next week! can’t wait!

    xxx

  10. fashion herald says

    July 14, 2008 at 8:02 am

    now I want to read Kenilworth. maybe you and mr. b can move into the gatehouse?

  11. Beka says

    July 14, 2008 at 9:14 am

    Aaaaaamazing! So jealous. I can’t wait to go there one day!

  12. styleraven says

    July 14, 2008 at 9:32 am

    Love these pics. I’ve been re-reading my Alison Weir bio of Elizabeth.

  13. Pamcasso says

    July 14, 2008 at 11:48 am

    yay history! I am also fond of molesting flowers. It is irritating the guidebooks didn’t include that part of the history.

  14. Leah says

    July 14, 2008 at 11:58 am

    You did not miss anything but beautiful countryside at Warwick. It was very “Disneyfied” when I was there. They even had plastic statues of people to show “what life was really like” and they played this horrendous soundtrack in the background that every so often yelled out, “The Kingmaker.” Very Las Vegas.

    Enjoy Poland – for the history and the the jewelry marts (great amber!).

    Leah

  15. jayne says

    July 14, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    haha you’re so funny wendy. “god forbid its dangerously interesting to people” and the “niche” hehe, looks fun!

  16. CDP says

    July 14, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    I like the shoes you’re wearing in your “niche”. I admire you for wearing heels to sight-see; I can’t do that.

  17. pistols at dawn says

    July 14, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Enjoy Warsawa. Every time you eat some sort of salted pork product, laugh and think about vegetarians visiting the place.

  18. Vain and Vapid says

    July 14, 2008 at 1:42 pm

    Love your sight seeing outfit, very chic.

  19. TheSundayBest says

    July 14, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    It’s amazing to think of all the people lost to the shadows of history. That was a little more misty eyed than I had in my head, but there it is.

  20. Miss Janey says

    July 14, 2008 at 3:18 pm

    Dangerously interesting women are a threat to historians. They would overshadow all the over-discussed men.

  21. The Clothes Horse says

    July 14, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    I love you in your niche! I never thought of it before, but you really do belong in a castle.

  22. Emily says

    July 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm

    my favorite photo is the one of you in the doorway, you fit perfectly and as always, look so pretty!

  23. Carolina Lange says

    July 14, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    Looks like an amazing place!

  24. Winnie says

    July 14, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    You’ll have to come back and do Warwick castle, I don’t live too far from it and it’s a beauty, though pricey to visit!

  25. Suze's Sass says

    July 14, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    Give a holla to the queen for me would ya?

  26. Suze's Sass says

    July 14, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    Give a holla to the queen for me would ya?

  27. Prunella Jones says

    July 14, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    How romantic! It looks like a great place to wear a corset and get ravished by Fabio.

  28. Savvy Gal says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    Wow, so pretty. I want to go back to London now. This will be such a great place for a romantic vacation.

  29. Vintage Vinyl says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:23 pm

    Wow, your visit looks absolutely amazing! I would love to venture there. Old enlish history is so neat. Makes me have so much inspiration!
    ps. I thought we had linked up by now, but we have not! Would you like to?

  30. enc says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    I’ll be the first one to hop the plane with you and visit!

    What a great post, and what perfect photos.

    History is indeed your niche!

  31. Diabolina says

    July 14, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    SMILED ear to ear at your niche picture. PERFECTION!

    Your trip is an English major’s dream. Love castles. Can die happy if I ever own a home with a turret. working on it…

  32. Shopaholic D says

    July 14, 2008 at 7:00 pm

    wow! that must be an amazing place to visit! great photos!

    🙂 D

  33. Oh Lady E says

    July 14, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    I love old castles… but my knowledge of English history is… not so good.

  34. The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: says

    July 14, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Sounds great and your pictures are lovely. I have had my fill of international travel this summer (took the train to Toronto last week) so I will have to make due with re-runs of Treasures of the Trust on BBC America.
    Cheerio!

  35. The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: says

    July 14, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Sounds great and your pictures are lovely. I have had my fill of international travel this summer (took the train to Toronto last week) so I will have to make due with re-runs of Treasures of the Trust on BBC America.
    Cheerio!

  36. Lynette says

    July 14, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    I am so proud that you got to spend time at Kenilworth and Coventry, WendyB. Love the photos that you have along with the text, too. That must have been some big gate to go along with that gatehouse!

  37. Kim says

    July 15, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    I am so incredibly jealous! I would love to visit there!

    BTW you look as lovely as always!

  38. ♥ Marta ♥ says

    July 15, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    I studied this castle in one of my architecture classes and it truly does have a fascinating history to it. Wonderful photos 🙂

  39. styleslicker says

    July 17, 2008 at 5:30 am

    you seem to be quite keen on british history….lovely!!! I’m a keen expert on King Henry Viii and his 6 wives…..their stories are sooooo interesting.

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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