The Tudor Carews

The Carews first came to Beddington in the 14th century but the family was most important in the Tudor period.

Richard Carew (d.1520) spent much of his career serving as a royal official in Calais which was then under English rule. His son Nicholas was a star performer in tournaments and rapidly rose to prominence at court as a favourite of Henry VIII. It may have been his son's rising fortuune which prompted Richard to reconstruct his house and create the magnificent hammer beam roof in the great hall.

By 1517 Nicholas was one of the King's 'minions' or young favourites. Henry made him a member of the Privy Chamber, an inner circle of courtiers who were in personal attendance on the king, and apart from a number of short interludes he remained in favour for most of his life, and benefitted from various grants of land and office. He served on several foreign embassies, and seemed able to make a favourable impression on foreign monarchs, particularly Francis I of France. Henry appointed him to the prestigious post of Master of the Horse in 1522, and in 1536 he became a Knight of the Garter. The latter Order was, and still is, highly exclusive.

In 1533 Henry VIII divorced his first wife, largely because he despaired of her producing the son he believed was necessary for the survival of the Tudor dynasty. The Pope refused to sanction the divorce, and Henry broke with Rome and initiated the English Reformation to achieve his ends. Henry's second queen was Anne Boleyn, who was a Protestant and a supporter of the Reformation. Although Nicholas Carew was happy to benefit from grants of church property, he was a rather reluctant reformer who remained loyal to Catherine of Aragon and her daughter Mary. When Henry tired of Anne, a number of conservative courtiers, lead by Nicholas Carew, plotted her downfall by coaching Jane Seymour to take control of the King's affections. The plot was joined by Henry's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell. Anne's first warning of her impending fall probably came on 24 April 1536, when Nicholas Carew was made into a Knight of the Garter in preference to her brother. She was arrested a few days later, together with her brother and several of her key supporters. They were condemned to death on the basis of highly suspect charges of adultery, and were executed in mid-May. Jane Seymour became Henry's third queen. Nicholas Carew's plot had been successful.

However, in 1538 Henry's minister, Thomas Cromwell, decided to get rid of Nicholas Carew and his supporters as he did not like their religious views and felt threatened by the influence that they had over the King. His plotting was successful, and Nicholas was executed for treasonable conspiracy with the Marquis of Exeter, who also held conservative religious views.

His estates, including Beddington, were forfeit to the crown, and his widow was only allowed to keep the manor of Wallington, near Beddington, and a group of properties in Sussex.

Nicholas's son Francis thus lost most of his inheritance. However, Sir Nicholas's death as a supporter of Mary, meant that she had a debt to repay when she came to the throne and Francis was restored to his inheritance in January 1554. Francis appears to have kept out of court politics. When, in 1561, he was considered as a possible ambassador to France, his brother-in-law said that "although there was in him some meet parts, yet there lacks in him a second and greater degree than to be a good courtier; that is, skill in negotiation of matters, not having been traded or given thereunto, but chiefly to pleasure" His main interest appears to have been his garden. He visited Paris for about a year in 1561-2 and bought oranges, lemons, myrtles and pomegranates, which he planted at Beddington, and in 1570 he was employing French gardeners. By the time he died, in 1611, he had created one of the most remarkable of all Elizabethan gardens.

There is a display on the Carews at Honeywood which includes the best of the recent finds from the garden.

Carew Manor

The history of Carew Manor in Beddington.

Carew Manor Dovecote

The history of Carew Manor Dovecote in Surrey

Carew Manor Great Hall

The history of Carew Manor Great Hall in Beddington