Boscobel House |
This house was built around 1632 when landowner John Gifford converted a timber-framed farmhouse into a hunting lodge.
Back in the 1600s, the house was surrounded by dense woodlands. So Gifford called his new hunting lodge ‘Boscobel House’ from the Italian phrase ‘bosco bello’ meaning ‘in the midst of fair woods’.
John Gifford and his family were Catholics. In their time, the Catholic religion was outlawed. The house served as a secret place for sheltering Catholics. Today, secret hiding places can still be found the house...
After hours of hiding in the Oak tree, Charles II dashed into the house and hid in a priest-hole in the attic.
|