At the heart of East Sussex, Herstmonceux raises above its moat a mass of rose-pink brick: it is one of the oldest great brick buildings in England, built as early as 1441. Remaining in the hands of the Fiennes throughout the Renaissance, it was the setting of an episode that reminded the nobility that Henry VIII's justice knew no rank.
A pioneer of English brick
Built in 1441 by Sir Roger Fiennes, Herstmonceux ranks among the very first great English buildings conceived in brick — a then prestigious and innovative material, imported from the continent, which would come to dominate Tudor architecture. A moated, bridged and crenellated castle, it belongs more to the house of state than to the fortress: its brick walls speak of comfort and status more than of war. It remained the property of the Fiennes family throughout the Tudor period, a witness to the continuity of a great house of Sussex.
The fall of Lord Dacre (1541)
In 1541, a drama struck the family. Sir Thomas Fiennes, 9th Lord Dacre, took part in a nocturnal poaching expedition on neighbouring lands; the affair turned bad and a gamekeeper was killed. Despite his rank as a peer of the realm, Lord Dacre was tried, condemned and hanged like a common man — not beheaded as custom granted to nobles. Henry VIII's Crown then temporarily confiscated the estate. The episode caused a great stir: it showed that under this king, the highest nobility itself was not above the law — nor safe from the gallows. To see: the moated and bridged brick castle (Grade I listed), one of the oldest great preserved brick buildings in England, the park and gardens.
Did you know?
Being a peer of the realm did not save Lord Dacre from the rope: in 1541, for the accidental death of a keeper during an illegal hunt, Sir Thomas Fiennes was hanged like a common criminal, and not beheaded as the noble privilege allowed. Henry VIII thus made the death of a lord a warning to his whole nobility.
Notes
Herstmonceux Castle lies at Herstmonceux, East Sussex; castle and gardens open to the public (today an international study centre). Seasonal hours to check.
Quiz
- What is exceptional about Herstmonceux in the history of English building?
- It is one of the oldest great brick buildings in England
- It is cut from the rock
- It is entirely of glass
- What did Lord Dacre undergo in 1541?
- He was hanged like a commoner
- He was ennobled
- He went on crusade
- What did Henry VIII then do with the estate?
- He temporarily confiscated it
- He razed it
- He gave it to the pope