Rye House

• Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
• Scheduled Monument.
• Grade I Listed Building.

Medieval moated site.

Once owned by Richard Rumbold, a Parliamentarian.

1443                            Henry VI granted Sir Andrew Ogard a licence to fortify his manor.He built strong walls around the island and built a manor with a gatehouse.

1683                            The Rye House Plot – A plot to assassinate Charles II by the Duke of Monmouth, William, Lord Russell, Algernon Sidney and Sir Thomas Armstrong. William, Lord Russell, Algernon Sidney and Sir Thomas Armstrong were found guilty and hung.

1868                            A pleasure garden was created on the site by Henry Teale. Part of the original walling was repositioned.

18 C – 19 C                 The gatehouse was used as a workhouse.

1996                            Watching Brief. Bridge across the moat was replaced.

20 C                            Restored and opened to the public. RSPB site.

2000                            Watching Brief. Moat was cleared.