In the summer of 1535 Queen Anne Boleyn accompanied her husband, King Henry VIII, on the royal Progress. One of their stops was Acton Court, the home of Nicholas Poyntz.
On discovering that his home was on King Henry’s summer Progress itinerary, Nicholas decided to build a new East Wing on the existing moated manor house that would take him 9 months to complete. The royal apartments were luxuriously and fashionably decorated demonstrating his loyalty and intent on impressing his Sovereigns regardless of personal cost.
His efforts and hard work paid off as he was allegedly knighted during Henry’s visit.
Acton court is a Tudor treasure not only because much of the remaining house is part of the lavish new wing built especially for Henry and Anne, but also because uncovered during conservation works hidden in the masonry, was Henry’s ‘ensuite’ or garderobe. I can’t help but giggle a little when I imagine the great and powerful Henry sitting on the toilet, a little silly of me I know.
Other recent excavations at Acton Court have also discovered fine Venetian glass and Spanish ceramics likely to be connected to the royal visit of 1535.
I’m a little sad that on my upcoming Tudor Pilgrimage around the UK (8 weeks to go but who’s counting…) I won’t get to see Acton Court as it’s closed to the public from the 23rd August until June 2010.
For those of you lucky enough to live near by, they are hosting a great event on the 8th August called ‘The Tudor Tailor‘.
More information on Acton Court can be found on their website:
NG
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