Hever Castle

Hever Castle is a medieval castle located in Hever, England, which is just outside of London. It was built in 1270 to serve as a defensive fortification. This segment of the castle consisted of a gatehouse and a walled bailey. By 1462, Hever Castle underwent another period of construction when Geoffrey Boylen converted it into a manor. One of the castle’s inhabitants was Geoffrey’s granddaughter, Anne Boylen. Anne Boylen lived in the castle until 1513, when she went to Archduchess Margaret’s court in the Netherlands to receive an education. Boylen became the second wife of King Henry VIII following his divorce, which created the Church of England in 1533. However, it did not last; after only three years of marriage, King Henry VIII beheaded Anne Boylen. Following Thomas Boylen’s death (Anne’s father), the castle passed through several families like the Clevers, Waldegraves, and the Meade Waldos over the next five centuries. During this period, it once again fell into disrepair. In 1903, American millionaire Wiliam Waldorf Astor purchased and restored the castle to use as a home. Today, a private property company owns Hever Castle. It currently operates as a tourist attraction and conference center.