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| | Hadleigh Castle |
 | | Hubert de Burgh, Justiciar of England and Earl of Kent, had owned lands at Hadleigh from his time as a revered minister of King John, but a royal licence to crenellate (or to build a castle) was not granted until 1230. |
 | | Domestic buildings were later erected along the western edge of the enclosure and, during Edward III's time, two magnificent round towers were set in the east curtain wall angles, as well as a massive circular tower and barbican to defend a new entrance in the north curtain. |
 | | Until Edward VI sold Hadleigh Castle to Lord Riche in 1551, it had remained Crown property, but throughout that period of almost 200 years it was granted 'for life' to a succession of Earls, Dukes and Queens, including three of Henry VIII's wives. |
| www.theheritagetrail.co.uk /castles/hadleigh_castle.htm (429 words) |
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