Penshurst Place: Difference between revisions

Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge, is 32 miles to the south east of[London]], and was built in 1341 for Sir John de Pulteney, 'from the first-not so much a castle as a country residence that could be defended in an emergency' : A Oswald 'Country houses of Kent'.

Penshurst: or pen's wood as a name is derived from 'a wooded hill within an enclosed place' and as such was known as Penshurst by 1072. Between 1263-1346 the manor appears as Penecestre or Penchester, a name adopted by Stephen de Penecestre Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who possessed the manner towards the end of the 13th century.

The river Medway, at this point still only a small stream passes through the village of Penshurst, the long standing residence of the Sidney family, descended from William de Sidney, chamberlain to Henry II.

(The Sidney family originate from Anjou, whence sir William came with Henry II: GOUGH.)

In 1552, King Edward VI granted the house to Sir William Sidney, grandfather of the Sir Philip Sidney, who was born there, by virtue of his mothers association with nothumberland, the kings chief executor, and brother to Mary sydney, the childs mother.

Phillip and Robert Sidney were granted lands and title of the Barons of Sidney of Penshurst, these were the sons of Philip Sidney who married Mary Dudley, sister of the 'evil' Duke of Northumberland.

Philip Sidney was born at Penshurst Place in 1554. He was buried in old St Paul's , in London, having died 25 days after a fatal wounding from a bullet in the thigh at the

The present owner, Philip Sidney, Lord De L'isle, by birth a Shelley has, against the recomendations of his kin, of late celebrated 450 years of continuous occupation of the dwelling by this gift, to his decendants. The castlated manor house is surrounded by one of England's oldest private gardens, dating back to 1346, although small (11 acres) the garden was created by Sir Henry Sidney in the C16th.

The great Barons' Hall, remains now but a shell with its chestnut roof reaching to 60 foot in height with the hall having been reinterpreted in its numerous architectural styles having been added to during at least eight periods of dwelling but has remained intact from its most recent (Victorian) innovation.

Portraits, tapestries, furniture, porcelain and armor acquired by successive generations.

Details for public visits:

Press contact: Bonnie Vernon, Penshurst Place, fax (011 44) 1892 870866; e-mail: [email protected]).