CHARTLEY MANOR
Medieval Manor House, built near the remains of Chartley Castle, built in late 15th century,
In care of Devereux family; Walter Devereux was heir and Lettice Knollys came to live here after wedding.
Place of birth of Devereux children..
One of the last locations where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned, prior to move to Fotheringay Castle where she was executed in 1578.
KEY EVENTS
22 Aug 1585 - Death of Walter Devereux, 8th Barron Ferrers of Chartley at the Battle of Bosworth, fighting for the Yorkist Army/King Richard III; was initially attained after death and lands (including Chartley) were confiscated by the Crown.
1489 - Walter Devereux's son John Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley successfully appeals against attainment of father's lands, and able to inherit lands, including Chartley.
Aft. 1489 - Decision made to abandon Chartley Castle as a place of residence, and build new Manor House nearby - called 'Chartley Manor'.
Jul 1553 - Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford arrested for support of JANE GREY's claim to the English throne; was imprisoned in the Tower of London. On his release, retired to Chartley.
17 Sep 1558 - Death of Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford at Chartley; he is buried at Stowe Church, Chartley. 19yo grandson WALTER DEVEREUX inherits Chartley Manor, as his father Sir Richard Devereux predeceased his father (d.1547).
1561 - Marriage of WALTER DEVEREUX and LETTICE KNOLLYS likely early 1561 in London; couple came to live in Chartley Manor away from court shortly after marriage.
Jan 1563 - Birth of PENELOPE DEVEREUX at Chartley Manor.
?17 Sep 1564 - Birth of DOROTHY DEVEREUX at Chartley Manor.
31 Oct 1569 - Birth of Walter Devereux 'the younger' at Chartley Manor.
03-08 Aug 1575 - LETTICE KNOLLYS hosts Elizabeth I at Chartley Manor, during her summer progress (following the 'Princely Pleasures' at Kenilworth Castle, to which she was present); WALTER DEVEREUX remains in Ireland, Believed to have been introduced to Devereux children during this overnight visit, including her future 'favourite' ROBERT DEVEREUX.
22 Sep 1576 - Death of WALTER DEVEREUX in Ireland; Chartley Manor passes to son ROBERT DEVEREUX as Walter's heir, although unable to inherit until he comes of age. No provisions in Walter Devereux's will for LETTICE KNOLLYS to remain at Chartley in the meantime, with instructions to send children to various households.
Jan 1577 - LETTICE KNOLLYS and children leave Chartley Manor; son ROBERT DEVEREUX joins household of Sir Robert Cecil, whilst younger children remain with her for a short time, before joining household of Earl of Huntington.
Dec 1585 - Aug 1586 - MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS held prisoner at Chartley Manor, with new allocated custodian Sir Amias Paulet. Chartley chosen due to its deep moat, as Mary banned from any contact with outside world. ROBERT DEVEREUX not happy with decision to use Chartley, expressing concern that interiors would be damaged.
14 Jul 1586 - MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS receives a coded letter from Anthony Babington - sent in beer barrels cork. Letter spoke about their planned rescue attempt of her from Chartley and their planned "dispatch of the usurper" (ie ELIZABETH I). Mary responds to Babington on 17 Jul 1586, in code, ordering would-be rescuers to assassinate Elizabeth.
However, letters were intercepted and decoded by Sir Francis Walsingham's spies placed within Chartley.
11 Aug 1586 - MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS arrested whilst riding out at Chartley, due to her involved in the 'Babington Plot'; she was initially taken to Tixall Hall, Staffordshire, and later moved to Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire.
14-15 Oct 1586 - Trial of MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS at Fotheringhay Castle; is found guilty on charges of treason due to involvement in Babington Plot and her actions at Chartley Manor. Mary is later executed at Fotheringhay Castle on 07 Feb 1587.
1599 - ROBERT DEVEREUX in Ireland; his wife Frances Walsingham, sister PENELOPE DEVEREUX and cousin Elizabeth Wriothesley, Countess of Southampton retire from London to Chartley Manor.
Feb 1601 - Arrest and execution of ROBERT DEVEREUX following failed 'Essex Rebellion'; Chartley Manor does pass to son Robert Devereux (later 3rd Earl of Essex) when he comes of age - known to have been his primary residence in 1613.
1781 - Chartley Manor is destroyed in a fire; another building was rebuilt in the Elizabethan style in 1847.
