Cranbourne Lodge
Cranbourne Lodge was a keeper's lodge for the royal hunting grounds of Cranbourne Chase, once adjoining but now part of
Grade II* listed[1]
Cranbourne Tower.
History
The house's origins date from when the
Richard Weston.[2] Anne Hyde was born there in 1638.[2] The building was rebuilt and expanded several times in its history, notably by Sir George Carteret, who was visited there by Samuel Pepys.[2] The largest house on the site, including the surviving tower, was erected in 1808.[2]
Princess Charlotte
In 1814, the young
Warwick House
, and forced her to move to Cranbourne, with a staff of his choice.
The Prince Regent had been increasingly unpopular with the people, whilst Charlotte and her
Whig sympathies were seen as populist reformers. Her incarceration was also unpopular, drawing attention from the Romantic poets Byron and Shelley.[3]
Charlotte also attracted the attention of
Carlton House in May. The marriage was a tragic one though, and little over a year later, Charlotte died in childbirth.[3] As the only surviving legitimate grandchild of George III, and thus the only clear royal heir, this dynastic crisis led to "a mad dash towards matrimony by most of her bachelor uncles",[3] a race to provide a further heir that in turn led to Queen Victoria
.
Cranbourne Tower
Today only the Cranbourne Tower remains, as a private residence. The main house fell into disrepair during the 19th century, particularly the main roof. It was demolished in 1865,[2] although this tower was spared as a somewhat independent structure.
References
- ^ Historic England. "Cranbourne Tower (Grade II*) (1319295)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h David Nash Ford. "Cranbourne Lodge".
- ^ a b c d "Princess Charlotte (1796-1817)". Channel 4.