Hever is famous for its castle which was started in 1272 when Sir Stephen de Penchester was given permission by Edward I to convert the manor house into a castle. The gatehouse, outer walls and the moat were constructed soon after.
In 1462 the manor was bought by Sir Geoffrey Bullen, who had been Lord Mayor of London in 1459. The Bullen family progressed in society by marrying into the Howard and Sackville families . Sir William Bullen converted the castle into more grand living quarters, and about this time changed the family name from Bullen to Boleyn, a much more aristocratic name. The most famous occupant Anne Boleyn was married to Henry VIII in 1533 and subsequently executed in May 1536. Sir Thomas, Anne's father died in 1538 and was buried in St Peters at Hever . As there were no other heirs, the King took over the castle, and gave it to Anne of Cleves until she died in 1557.
The castle became more and more run down, and in the 1700's the local Groombridge Gang of smugglers used the castle to store contraband .
In 1903 the castle was bought by William Waldorf Astor an American millionaire. He was made a naturalised Briton and was created Viscount Astor of Hever . He restored the building, built the tudor village, and created the magnificent gardens.
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