The Prince Arthur Suite
The inspiration
In 1501, Arthur, Duke of Cornwall, had all of England at his feet. As the eldest son of King Henry VII, he was heir apparent to the throne. His contemporaries considered him the great hope of the freshly forged Tudor dynasty. And at the age of 16, he had just married his sweetheart, the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon.
Destiny, however, had different ideas. The couple – now proclaimed Prince and Princess of Wales – moved to Ludlow Castle to rule over their estate. But by spring, Arthur had succumbed to a mysterious illness. The Great Tudor Hope was dead.
If local legend is true, Catherine may have lived for a spell at Castle Lodge while her husband battled his malady. In any case, her fate was sealed. She would go on to marry Arthur's brother, King Henry VIII, and become Queen consort of England.
The design
The tragic tale of Prince Arthur is rife with 'what-ifs'. Similarly, with its medley of eras and influences, the prince's suite speaks of a life started in earnest but never quite lived.
The oak panelling in the lounge, for instance, is England through and through – and among the finest examples in the Lodge, if not the land. But head to the bathroom and you're greeted by handmade Moroccan zellige tiling, a reminder of the zest and artistry of his wife's multicultural homeland.
The stately furnishings, too, hint at the king that could have been. Take the bed, resplendent in rich, earthy green and guarded by four proud posts. And the elegant sofa, which takes pride of place before the imposing panelled hearth. But the most regal feature of all is the large banqueting table, where Arthur might have enjoyed hearty feasts with his nearest and dearest. He never had the chance, but you can.
The crowning feature
There wouldn't have been a bay window here in Arthur's day – it was certainly a later addition. However, it couldn't be a better fit for a monarch-to-be. Stretching almost from floor to ceiling, it commands sweeping views of Ludlow's market square and the tower of St Laurence's Church. Stand here on a pleasant morning and you'll feel like the 'loveliest town in England' is all yours.
