Eight Cambridgeshire buildings reveal centuries of hidden history

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

Cambridgeshire is home to extraordinary historic buildings spanning from Roman times to grand Jacobean mansions.

Cambridgeshire is home to extraordinary historic buildings that span centuries, from Roman burial monuments and medieval churches to grand Jacobean mansions. These landmarks have witnessed significant periods of English history and continue to tell the story of the county's rich past.

Peterborough Cathedral stands as one of the county's most historically significant buildings. The site has been a place of worship since 655AD, when an Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded. It later grew into one of England's most important medieval abbeys before becoming the striking Norman cathedral seen today. The cathedral is famous as the burial place of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, and briefly held the remains of Mary Queen of Scots before they were moved to Westminster Abbey. The building bears the marks of Viking raids, the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the English Civil War.

Longthorpe Tower, built between 1290 and 1300 by lawyer Robert Thorpe as part of a manor house, conceals one of Britain's greatest medieval treasures. The tower contains a collection of wall paintings dating from around 1330 depicting religious scenes, morality tales, animals, kings and everyday medieval life. These rare artworks survived because they were covered with whitewash after the Reformation and remained hidden until the 20th century.

Buckden Towers, originally established as a residence for the Bishops of Lincoln during the 12th century, became one of England's most important ecclesiastical residences. Nearly 900 years of history are contained within the fortified palace, which hosted numerous monarchs including Henry III, Edward I and Richard III.

How it is being reported

• 8 buildings in Cambridgeshire hiding centuries of historyFrom Roman burial monuments and medieval churches to grand Jacobean mansions, Cambridgeshire is home to some extraordinary historic buildings.Cambs Times · 20 Oct, 14:00
• 8 buildings in Cambridgeshire hiding centuries of historyFrom Roman burial monuments and medieval churches to grand Jacobean mansions, Cambridgeshire is home to some extraordinary historic buildings.Ely Standard · 20 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Peterborough Cathedral · Longthorpe Tower · Buckden Towers · Katherine of Aragon · Henry VIII · Mary Queen of Scots · Robert Thorpe · Cambridgeshire

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