Hever Castle - Home of the Boleyns

Hever Castle in Kent was the childhood-home of the notorious Boleyn family and most particularly Anne, Mary and George Boleyn - of whom two would die on the scaffold.
Originally, Hever Castle was build as a country house in the 13th century. Geoffrey Boleyn bought the castle in the beginning of the 16th century and modernized the country house into a mansion in the Tudor fashion. Since castles was no longer used for places of defence, the extension added by the Boleyn family was not aimed towards protection but comfort; their extensions would provide the family with comfortable living spaces.

It is argued whether or not Anne Boleyn was born at Hever Castle since the time of her birth is doubtful in itself. When Sir Thomas Boleyn died in 1540, the castle no longer belonged to the Boleyn family - despite that Mary Boleyn was still alive. Henry VIII granted the castle to Anne of Cleves as a divorce settlement - it must have been strange for the German Princess to own the castle that her predecessor and name-sake grew up in. She would own the castle until her death in 1557.

The main gate as seen from the inside of the court yard

Rose garden of Hever Castle

http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/

The Boleyn Family

The Boleyn family was the most prominent family at court until 1536 where Anne and George Boleyn were executed. Until then, the Boleyns had been the leading fraction in court and supported many politicians and priests such as Thomas Cranmer.

Originally, the Boleyn family was from Norfolk and rose quickly through the hierarchy of the Tudor society. Anne, Mary and George Boleyn was descendants of a London Mayor, a knight and two aristocratic ladies. They were related to the Howard family and one of their ancestors counted Edward I of England - Anne Boleyn was of a higher noble state than Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
Geoffrey Boleyn rose from being a wool merchant to the Lord Mayor of London and would eventually become wealthy enough to purchase Hever Castle. Thomas Boleyn elevated his status by marrying Elizabeth Howard who were above his station.

Of the Boleyns who were painted or drawn there are (from the left):
Sir Thomas Boleyn (died of unknown causes), George Boleyn (beheaded), Anne Boleyn (beheaded), Mary Boleyn (died of old age) and Elizabeth I (died of old age).

 Besides these five prominent members of the Boleyn family, it is also worth mentioning:

Elizabeth Howard - mother of George, Mary and Anne
Geoffrey Boleyn - elevated from merchant to Lord Mayor and bought Hever Castle
William Boleyn - father of Thomas Boleyn