Shakespeare s Quest at Leeds Castle This book belongs to: leeds-castle.com
Welcome to Leeds Castle Listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a Saxon manor, Leeds Castle has played many roles since then. It has been a Norman stronghold, the private property of six medieval queens and a palace used by Henry VIII. After the death of Henry VIII it passed into private hands where it remained until 1926 when a very rich English/American woman called Lady Baillie bought it to create a fabulous country house. She spent over 20 million in today s money restoring it. Today it is one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Staying safe Leeds Castle is set in 500 acres of parkland, which has a variety of wildlife inhabitants. It is a visitor attraction with lots of water in the grounds. Please do not touch any of the wildlife, they may bite. Stay away from the water, and be mindful of other visitors. * * Leaders please note, a copy of our Risk Advice for Educational Visits is available on request, or downloadable from our website.
Leeds Castle The Beginning The nearby village of Leeds was named after the Saxon manor of Esledes which is an old English word meaning hillside. Later, this name became Leeds. Following the Battle of Hastings, William 1 divided England into portions that he gave to his family and followers who had helped him win the battle. He gave the area around Leeds to his half-brother Bishop Odo. Odo was a bully and a tyrant and eventually William reclaimed the Manor of Leeds. William s son gave it to a knight who had fought well in the Battle of Hastings, and this knight in turn gave it to his son, Robert de Crèvecouer who built the first stone castle in 1119. Today, all that remains of the Norman castle is the cellar and the base of the keep on the small island. Medieval Times King Edward I and his Queen, Eleanor of Castille became the owners of Leeds Castle in 1279 and they spent a lot of money making it a safe and comfortable home.
Tudor Times Major alterations to the Castle took place during King Henry VIII s reign (1509 1547). The Castle was transformed into a magnificent royal palace for his use. In 1520 Henry visited with his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. They spent the night with over 5000 people, on their way to France to meet with the French King, Francois 1. Following the death of Henry VIII Leeds was granted to Sir Anthony St Leger for a yearly rent of 10 in 1552. 1. It was just over 10 years later than this that William Shakespeare was born, but which date exactly? 2. The Castle remained in the St Leger family until 1618 and during those 66 years William Shakespeare died, but which year was it? 3. How old was he when he died?
The Next 350 Years Over the next 350 years the castle was owned by several families, and changed in its appearance as the years went by. In 1822, the owner, Fiennes Wykeham Martin knocked down the main house and replace it with one in the Medieval style. The Gloriette was repaired, internal walls were rebuilt in stone and the moat was cleared and cleaned. Lady Baillie After spending so much money, rebuilding the front part of castle, the Wykeham Martin family ran out of money, before they had completed the restoration in the Gloriette. They sold the castle to the Hon. Mrs Wilson Filmer in 1924. She became Lady Baillie and lived here for 50 years. She paid 180, 000 for the castle and grounds, and a further 100,000 on restoring it. In today s money that is about 10 million. Today When Lady Baillie died in 1974, a charitable foundation was set up to make sure that Leeds Castle and the grounds were open to the public and that it continued to be carefully maintained. Today, Leeds Castle is a major visitor attraction with over half a million visitors each year.
Inside the Castle Follow the visitor route round the Moat to enter the Castle via the Cellars Go up the stairs to the Heraldry Room. If you have time, read the Timeline in this room. Next go down the corridor, which originally was an open drawbridge, and go into The Queen s Room This room is set up as it would have looked in 1420. Although at first glance there doesn t seem to be any direct link to the Bard, one of the history plays can be linked to this room. 4. Which one? 5. Who provides the link between the play in this room? 6. What relationship was she to King Henry VIII?
Inside the Castle Continue past The Queen s Bathroom, and through The Queen s Gallery. Until you arrive at The Henry VIII Banqueting Hall. On 22nd May Henry and his first Queen, Catherine of Aragon visited Leeds Castle, on their way to visit the French King. 7. Another of Shakespeare s History Plays, Henry VIII was probably written in 1613, but what was it called then? 8. At a performance of the play at The Globe of the same year what catastrophe occurred? At each end of the Banqueting Hall there is a portrait of another King, again the subject of a History Play. In Act 1 of the play, Richard II is shown in full state on the throne, much like the painting here. 9. There is a tenuous link between Henry V and Richard II and it concerns women. What is it? This is the last question relevant to inside the Castle, so finish your tour and when you are ready, complete the quiz and enjoy the puzzles.
10. Which Tit appears in A Midsummer Night s Dream? 11. Kiss Me Kate is a musical version of which Shakespeare play? 12. Which Shakespeare play featured Shylock? 13. Which was Shakespeare's shortest play? 14. Which play has the characters Cordelia, Goneril and Regan? 15. Which is the last play written by William Shakespeare?
Shakespear s Plays Wordsearch KING LEAR HAMLET OTHELLO THE TEMPEST HENRY V MACBETH ROMEO AND JULIET AS YOU LIKE IT THE WINTERS TALE TWELFTH NIGHT JULIUS CAESAR
Shakespeare Cross Quiz
Shakespeare Cross Quiz The Clues Across 3. She dressed as a boy 4. As You Like It is set in which forest? 6. Loved by Juliet 8. What was Shakespeare s Christian name 9. What theatre is Shakespeare associated with? 11. The longest play 12. What was his wife's surname before marriage? Down 1. What month was Shakespeare born? 2. Where the merry wives came from 5. Wife of Brutus 7. Finish the quote, My Horse, My horse, A? for my horse 10. Wife of Othello 11. What was his son's name