Hever Castle

#46 Hever Castle
Kent, England
1270 - 1482
This is NOT an official Lego site

This castle is dedicated to my good friend, Jim Wideman, who kindly provided the courtyard and interior photographs of
Hever as well as the plan of the castle - all from an official guidebook he kept for many years after his visit to Hever while
working for several years in England for A.E. Staley Company, now Tate & Lyle. Jim and I played golf in the same foursome
twice a week for years. My witty and compassionate friend died suddenly in his home on May 1, 2005 at age 78. He is
fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife Erla, family and numerous friends, including Judy and me!

This beautiful Fortified Manor House was begun by William de Hever about 1270, with his grandson William and greatgreatgrandson Sir John de Cobham granted licenses to add more battlements in 1340 and 1380 respectively. The castle was purchased by Sir Geoffrey Bullen, Lord Mayor of London, in 1462, and the artificial lake was added at that time. The Boleyn's were at the pinnacle of London society for several generations. It was Geoffrey's grandson Thomas who inherited Hever Castle in 1505.

It was Sir Thomas Bullen's children who had so much trouble with King Henry VIII! Thomas' elder daughter Mary became Henry's mistress, and later Anne became his unfortunate wife. It is said that Anne 'Frenchified' her name to Boleyn when she persuaded Henry to marry her. Their marriage caused King Henry to renounce Catholicism and create the Church of England. Thomas' son George was also beheaded by Henry on a charge of adultery with his own sister, the Queen! Anne was, of course, the mother of Elizabeth I. Hever went through multiple owners after Anne of Cleves, Henry's fourth wife. The castle gradually deteriorated, especially under the care of the Humphreys and Meade Waldos, until it was bought by Viscount William Waldorf Astor in 1903 and much restoration was done at that time. The castle was owned by the Astors until 1983, when it was sold to Broadland Properties. Several photos below show my wife, Judy and me in May 2015,the current courtyard (x2), Entrance Hall, Tower Hall and Henry VIII's bedroom.

Photos of the Lego Model Built August 1993

South View	West View	North View	East View

Build Your Own

Lego Plan	Front & Back Elevations	Side Elevations	Detail