Thornbury Castle and the ill-fated 3rd Duke of Buckingham

Downstairs, in our Roman Coins room, as well as learning about the coin hoard discovered when a Thornbury man was digging a garden pond, you can also read about the builder and (short-lived) owner of Thornbury Castle.

Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, had grand ideas about his place in Tudor society.  He set about building a castle where there had once been merely a manor house.

He drew ideas from some of the grandest buildings in Tudor England – and was innovative too.  Thornbury had ornate twisted chimneys before Hampton Court did.

But his ambition cost him dearly.  Before the castle was finished, Buckingham was executed by order of Henry VIII in 1521.  2021 saw the 500th anniversary of his death.

Museum researchers have uncovered a great deal about Buckingham and his castle.  Come and find out for yourself why Henry VIII distrusted such a powerful potential rival.