Earlier Houses: There was an earlier manor house near the site of the current house.

Built / Designed For: Sir Edward Dalyngrigge

House & Family History: In the late 14th century Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a veteran of the Hundred Years' War with France, received permission from King Richard II to build a crenellated castle on his manor at Bodiam. The building that he raised is one of the most celebrated castles in England. Sir Edward built Bodiam in anticipation of a French invasion which never occurred. After the Civil War Bodiam was slighted and left to decay. In the 18th century the ivy-clad ruins of the castle became a popular destination for tourists, who saw it as a remnant of a romantic past. In 1828 John "Mad Jack" Fuller purchased and effectively rescued Bodiam from a firm of builders who were dismantling it. Lord Curzon purchased Bodiam in the early 20th century, thus saving it from dereliction. He restored the castle and bequeathed it to the National Trust in 1925.

Comments: Bodiam is considered one of the greatest surviving examples of a medieval military structure in England.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, 14th century. Sir Thomas Lewknor, 15th century. John Levett, 16th century. John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet, 17th century. Nathaniel Powell, 17th century. Sir Thomas Webster, 18th century. John "Mad Jack" Fuller, 19th century. George Cubitt, 1st Baron Ashcombe, until 1916. George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Viscount Scarsdale, 1st Earl Curzon, and 1st Marquess Curzon, early 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01580-830-436

Fax: 01580-830-398

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No