This ornate 12-bedroom former home of Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon is on the market… and is expected to fetch over £1m
The property in Shropshire, which boasts its own chapel, a drawing room and a great hall, is a stone's throw from the historic Ludlow castle
IT went down as one of the most famous divorces in history – and she's still managed to keep the house.
The ornate home belonging to King Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, has gone on the market - 483 years after the couple's controversial split.
Castle Lodge in Ludlow, Shropshire, is available to anyone who can make a suitable offer, though it's expected to reach over £1 million.
Two years ago the stunning Tudor residence, which boasts 12 bedrooms and a host of period features including carved timber panelling and Elizabethan timber frames, was sold for nearly £1m.
The four-storey house lies a mere stone's throw away from the historic Ludlow castle, which for centuries was the seat of power from which England ruled Wales.
It is now a highly desirable grade ii listed building with its own chapel, a great room, a drawing room and a great hall.
The brochure from property agents Balfours says it may be used as a large family home, a restaurant or even offices, subject to planning consent.
It has been reviewed by visitors on Trip Advisor who gave it four out of five stars.
Catherine of Aragon arrived in Ludlow in the middle of December 1502, shortly after her first marriage to Henry VIII's brother, Prince Arthur.
Sean Cunningham, a historian who has recently released a book on Prince Arthur, said: "Catherine and Arthur were living in the castle at the time, but she had a lot of attendants who would have stayed there.
"It's certainly possible that she used the house."
The house was later used by various servants and stewards to the lords of Ludlow Castle.
Christopher Wood, former chairperson of the Ludlow Historical Research Group, said: "Castle Lodge was occupied by Thomas Seckford, who was steward to Ludlow Castle and an official at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
"The upper stone part of the house was completed when the house was restored in 1670.
"Later, between the wars, the house served as a hotel."