Hunsdon House has been much reduced, but has still a venerable appearance, and is surrounded by a moat. In Strype's
Memorials are letters dated from Hunsdon, by Prince Edward; and
his sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, appear to have resided here for several years. With them also, was educated their second cousin,
the Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the Earl of Surrey's
Fair Geraldine
who was grand-daughter to the Marquis of Dorset, the brother of Elizabeth, Henry the Seventh's Queen. The Princess Mary resided here when Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen, after the death of Edward the Sixth; but then retired to Framlingham Castle for safety.
Britton.
The Beauties of England & Wales:
Hertfordshire, 1807
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Hunsdon
...There are two of the family of Calverts residing here,
who own the principal part of the property of the parish, one of
whom is the proprietor of Hundson House, originally the property and
residence of Cary, Lord Hunsdon, cousin to Queen Elizabeth, and also
a residence of that Queen, Queen Mary, and Edward VI.
Post Office
Directory, 1851
Lord Hunsdon
Painted by Marc Garrard
Engraved by R. Cooper
Published by C & H Baldwyn, Newgate Street
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The 1891 Census records the follow staff in
Hunsdon House and associated buildings.
| Hunsdon House |
KING, George S |
58 |
Butler |
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PEARCE, Harriet H |
39 |
Cook |
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GOVIER, Helen |
31 |
Housekeeper |
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HIGGERTY, Hannah A |
22 |
Housemaid |
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CARTWELL, Agnes |
17 |
Kitchenmaid |
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The
job of "Engine Man" is interesting - could the
house have had electric light? Or was there some
other reason for a resident engineer? |
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SMITH, Joseph |
14 |
Butlers Boy |
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PARKER, Thomas |
77 |
Engine Man |
à |
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BENNET, Issac |
60 |
Gardener |
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| Hunsdon House Stables |
PRIOR, William |
51 |
Coachman |
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REID, Walter |
21 |
Groom |
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| Hunsdon House Lodge |
DODDS, William |
71 |
Head Gardener |
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Hunsdon House
Post card circa 1905
Embossed Ramell, Sittingbourne
click on image for enlarged detail |
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Hunsdon House, a red-brick building
is
comparatively modern, the first building on this spot was erected by Sir John Oldhall in the latter half of the fifteenth century. It was a moated and castellated building which eventually came into the possession of Henry VII!., who altered and used it as a royal residence; the Cary's obtained it by gift from Queen Elizabeth. Portions of the old palace were incorporated into the present house.
Alderman,
A Pilgrimage in Hertfordshire,
1931
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Other related Web Sites
Listed on
Wikipedia
British Listed Buildings includes listing details,
map, and a modern birds eye view.
Description and modern photograph on
English Country Houses
Records of Archaeology investigations on
Pastscape
History of Parliament Online includes the biography
of Nicolson Calvert (1764-1841) of Hundson House.
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