Allington Castle

PRIVATE PROPERTY

• Allington, Maidstone, Kent.
• OSGB – TQ75205791
• Grade I Listed Building.
• Monument Number – 415082.

Medieval motte and bailey castle; fortified manor house; gatehouse; curtain wall.

Built next to the remains of the original 11^th Century castle of the same name. The earliest remains date from the time of Stephen of Pencester, c.1279.

Included corner towers and the moat connects to the River Medway.

During the reign of Henry VII kitchens were added.

Visited by Henry VII.

Visited by Henry VIII.

Visited by Katherine Parr.

Visited by Anne Boleyn.

Visited by Cardinal Wolsey.

Poet Sir Thomas Wyatt lived at the castle.

1066 >              William I granted the lands to William de Warrene who is believed to have built the first timber as a motte and bailey castle.

1135                 The original wooden building was replaced in stone.

1143                 Henry II had the walls pulled down and the motte levelled for being unlicensed.

1174-1175          The castle was replaced by a manor house.

12^th C                Renovated by Sir Martin Conway, later Lord Conway of Allington.

1279                 Bought by Stephen of Pencester, Constable of Dover and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports who rebuilt it in stone.

1281                 A Licence to Crenelate was granted to Stephen of Pencester by Edward I. Towers were added.

1299                 Stephen of Pencester died and the site was inherited by his son-in-law Sir Henry Cobham.

1316                 Sir Henry Cobham died, and Sir Henry Wyatt became the new owner after Henry VII granted him the castle following loyalty for his service.

14^th C                Additions.

1492                 Converted into a manor house – the Long Gallery and a porch were added.

1521                 Birthplace of Thomas Wyatt, responsible for the Wyatt Rebellion.

1554                 In possession of the Crown after Sir Thomas Wyatt organized a rebellion against Queen Mary. It was then used as a prison for rebels.

1600                 Fire almost destroyed the building.

17^th C                In ruins. Some parts were restored by John Best.

1760                 Used as a farmhouse.

1905                 Bought by Lord Conway who spent 30 years restoring it. He employed architects W. D. Caroe and Philip Tilden.

1951                 Purchased by the Carmelite Order.

1964                 Field Investigation.

1986                 Field Investigation.

1997                 Surveyed and Measured.

20^th C                Ruinous.

21^st C                Privately owned by Sir Robert Worcester