Sudeley Castle: Royalty, Romance and Renaissance by James Parry and Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe
Blurb
Set in the beautiful Gloucestershire Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle exemplifies popular perceptions of the romantic English country house. The final resting place of King Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr, it is partly castellated and its centuries-old ruins are festooned with roses. This book, the first comprehensive publication about this remarkable castle, traces over 1,000 years of illustrious history from the time of King Aethelred the Unready through the castle’s Tudor heyday and its subsequent decline and fall, before its dramatic rescue during the second half of the 19th century by the Dent-Brocklehurst family, whose descendants still live there. Sudeley’s architectural heritage, art and gardens are all described and illustrated by historical material as well as stunning new photography.
Review
I went to visit Sudeley Castle during half term and absolutely loved it so I was very pleased to see they had a new book out.
The book is mainly the history of the castle right from before it was a castle to present day and it is interspersed with memories from Lady Ashcombe. The castle has a fascinating history and I love the Tudor connections. I also love how the book doesn’t hide the more grizzly history of the castle. The castle’s story during the Civil War is rather brutal.
The memories Lady Ashcombe shares are wonderful and really give an insight into the castle as a family home as well as a tourist attraction. I particularly like the stories of the pranks that Lady Ashcombe’s children pulled on the visitors when they were young.
The book isn’t long at only 160 pages and contains some wonderful pictures of the castle, maps from history and treasures from inside the castle as well as images of the people who have lived in the castle. It is a perfect coffee table book.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The history chosen to feature in the book is well thought out and well written and is perfectly paired with the relevant photos. I will definitely be revisiting this book as well as the castle. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.
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About the authors
James Parry
James Parry is a Norfolk-based writer and consultant. After training as a conservation officer with English Heritage, he joined the British Council, working in East Africa and the Middle East before returning to the UK to study for a Masters in Architecture. He was then appointed by the National Trust as its academic editor, and was responsible for developing a specialist art and architecture publishing programme. He now writes on art, heritage, natural history and conservation for a wide range of publications and takes a particular interest in the Islamic world.
Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe
Living in Sudeley Castle for over 50 years, making her the longest residing Chatelaine to date, Lady Ashcombe is responsible for opening Sudeley to the public in 1970 and continuing to ensure its success and intrigue to this day. Lady Ashcombe and her family are committed to the continued preservation of the castle, its treasures and the ongoing restoration and regeneration of the gardens, for future generations of visitors to enjoy.
Lady Book Dragon 
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