John de Broughton built the house and surrounded it by a moat in around 1300. William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England, bought the house in 1377 and it has been in continuous ownership by the same family ever since. The licence to crenellate was granted in 1406 allowing the house to be called a castle.
The unusual compound title of Saye & Sele dates from the original creation of the Barony in 1447. It is partly personal, from the connection with the family’s French ancestors in Normandy, the Lords Say, and partly territorial,, through ownership of land at Seal (now on the outskirts of Sevenoaks) in Kent. The family name Fiennes (pronounced Fines) is from a village in Artois in northern France. Giles Fiennes had emigrated to England in the 13th century, following in the train of his cousin Queen Eleanor of Castile when she came to England to marry the future Edward I.*
The 16th Lord Saye & Sele changed the family surname in 1849 to Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes. The present-day, 21st Lord Saye & Sele reversed the process in the mid 1960, so the current family name is simply Fiennes.
*From the Broughton Castle hand book
We’ve been meaning to visit but it’s not National Trust (we are members) so it has been bumped down the priority list for now.
Thanks for the reminder though, we should go before winter sets in and now that the baby has passed one (yes we have a new daughter) we can more easily venture to more distant attractions.
I too am a national trust member, but I think that National Trust properties in some instances to have become a corporate and bland experience in recent years. This lead me to branch out to non National Trust properties.
I noticed this castle when meeting up with my nephew for a family gathering earlier in the year:
http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/index.php/2017/03/22/ride-a-cock-horse-to-banbury-cross/
It is lovely to hear from you again. I am smiling that you have have been blessed with a second child
The fact that it has been in continuous ownership by the same family ever since 1377 blows my mind, Cherry.
If you have time, come see Astrid celebrating her birthday on my post today.
I love it when the house is still lived in by the family
Interesting to read your views on NT properties. I have felt that they are turning into “theme parks”. However, I still enjoy the open spaces under the management of NT.
One of my local National Trust properties is a great place to go walking and to sit by the river watching the world go by.
i like the head on view of the first shot, CP. nice form and lines.
Thank you
i am impressed with your presentation of Broughton Castle Cheryl… and i am very happy that i was able to link to your site today… it worked through Ginnie’s blog….peter:)
I didn’t realise there was a problem with my blog link. I will check next time I leave a comment on your blog to make sure my link is correct!