Kenilworth Castle (otherwise known as 'Killingworth' or 'Killinwoorth') in Warwickshire, was a 12th century stone castle, which had been significantly extended in the 14th century. It is located in the town of Kenilworth, 5 miles north of Warwick, and 90 miles north-west of London. The castle and surrounding lands were granted to John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, in 1553 by Edward VI; however, following the Duke's conviction for treason and subsequent execution, all of his lands and property were confiscated, and Kenilworth was returned to the crown. It remained as such until 1563, when Elizabeth I granted Kenilworth to her 'favourite' Lord Robert Dudley, the year before she granted him the Earldom of Leicester.
Whilst John Dudley had initially commenced renovations back in 1553, Robert Dudley steamed ahead with the modernisation and extension of the castle complex. Following visits by Queen Elizabeth I in 1566 and 1568, Robert Dudley embarked in the ambitious building project, for which the castle became well known. And for this, he employed former Somerset-based mason William Spicer as his primary surveyor. William Spicer had likely been born in Somerset c.1530; his father John Spicer died in Crewkerne, Somerset (c.1554), and that same year William was described as a "yeoman of Nunney", Nunney being a village approx 3 miles from Frome and approx 8 miles from Sir John Thynne's original Longleat House, near Warminster, Wiltshire, located on the site of the former Priory, where he was to be employed as a mason. The priory had come into the possession of the crown following the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' in 1530s, and had been purchased by Thynne in 1541 from Edward Seymour, the then 1st Earl of Hertford. Following this purchase, Thynne employed local tradesmen, including Spicer, to convert the former priory into a private residence, which included the construction of new buildings.
He was first mentioned in accounts in Oct 1555, as "WILLIEM SPYCER, freemason", and by 1559 had been given the contract to oversee the work for a new building. He continued to make further career progression becoming a bailiff and collector of rents for Sir John Thynne's estate of Lullington. However, he left this role in 1563 following a series of disagreements, along with unpaid rents (of £33, 19s, 1d).
Despite the sour end to his employment with Sir John Thynne and Longleat (the building of which Spicer worked on would be destroyed in a fire in 1568, with the house being rebuilt by 1582 which still stands today), William Spicer appears to have continued to spent a few more years in Somerset, having a further two children (in addition to an earlier two whilst still residing in Nunney), before moving his family up to Warwickshire in c.1570, living initially in the manor of Long Itchington (the manor house granted on a long lease from Robert Dudley), and later settling in the nearby village of Napton-on-the-Hill.
Together, Dudley and Spicer worked on a major rebuilding project to modernise a medieval castle into suitable accommodation for the Queen and the Royal Court, as well as providing fortification and protection in the event of an attack
A purpose-built addition to the castle, known as 'Leicester's Building' was constructed between 1571-2; this three-storey tower housed the Queen's private chambers, with Robert Dudley's rooms directly below her's, as well as rooms for her ladies/'Gentlewomen' and a long gallery to hold audiences. The Queen's rooms faced east, and with tall glass windows, provided a view overlooking the chase, as well as the sunrise. Elizabeth I used the rooms for her visit during her summer progress in 1572, with further improvements being made in preparation for the grand visit in Jul 1575.
'Leicester's Gatehouse' was also constructed at this time (c.1571-2), appearing to replace a 12th century stone building, described in 1563, as being 'much in decay' (Morris, 2006; p. 15). This new entry provided an imposing but easier access from the castle to the Deer Park/chase to the west (which was extended), and St Nicholas' Church to the east (where it is reported that Elizabeth I attended twice on two consecutive Sundays in Jul 1575). This new gateway, which provided a new entrance for those travelling the 6 miles south-west from Coventry, 'Elizabethan-style gardens were also landscaped outside the gatehouse with the intention for the Queen and her court to enjoy during their stay. The garden, along with other outdoor locations within the castle complex, were also part of the setting of the entertainment during Jul 1575,
On 9th July 1575, Elizabeth I arrived at Kenilworth Castle, and thus began the "Kenilworth Festivities' or 'Princely Pleasures': a series of entertainments, which included hunting, bear-baiting, fireworks and pageants. The three-week festivities, funded by Robert Dudley, were with the reported intention of a last-attempt at persuading the Queen to accept his hand in marriage, something that he had reportedly been vying for .since the death of his first wife, Amy Robsart in 1560. Whilst the visit was overall deemed a success by many of the court who had been invited to the festivities, Elizabeth I continued to refuse any offers of marriage; this was the last time she visited Kenilworth during her reign.
It is known that Lettice Knollys, then Countess of Essex, and her father Francis Knollys were two of the guests present at Kenilworth during these three-week celebrations. The Knollys family at that time were close kin of Elizabeth I, through the marriage of her late cousin and former 'Lady of the Bedchamber' Catherine Carey to Francis, with their daughter Lettice having previously served as a 'Gentlewoman' to the Queen prior to her marriage, whilst Francis continued to serve as 'Treasurer of the Royal Household'. Following the events at Kenilworth, Lettice travelled north to Chartley Manor, Staffordshire, where she hosted Elizabeth I as she continued on her summer progress.
Mary Dudley and her husband Sir Henry Sidney were also invited to the festivities, following a period of time where Lady Sidney had fallen out of the Queen's favour, in part due to Mary's perceived dissatisfaction of Elizabeth's behaviour towards her, mostly due to the complex relationship between Elizabeth and her brother Robert Dudley. The death of the Sidneys' 10 year old daughter Ambrosia (named after her maternal uncle) earlier in the year, appears to have softened the frosty relationship between the two women.
It is also likely that Anne Russell, Countess of Warwick, and her husband Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick were also present during the three-week festivities, given their respective close relationships to Elizabeth I as a 'Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber', and the close elder brother of Robert Dudley. It is known that Elizabeth I made a visit to Warwick Castle prior to her arrival at Kenilworth, with Joanne Paul (2022) noting that Warwick Castle was later used to house guests during the three-week festivities, given its proximity (5 miles) to the town.
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