The manor of Collyweston in Northamptonshire, four miles west of Stamford, came into Crown possession after the execution of the Duke of Clarence in 1478. It was a fine house enlarged by one of the great builders of his age Ralph, Lord Cromwell. Henry VII granted it to his mother Lady Margaret Beaufort, the Countess of Richmond. It became her major country seat. Work was commissioned through her lifetime enlarging and improving the manor house.
There were two courts with a great hall and parlour, a presence chamber, a great tower and the Countess’ own rooms with a long gallery. She maintained a very rich chapel (an inventory lists 19 surpluses for children and 24 for men). There was a large library and beautiful gardens. In preparation for one of Henry VII’s progresses, which was to stay at Collyweston, extensive work was commissioned in 1502-3 including fine new lodgings with bay windows.
After the Countess’ death Henry VIII paid a few visits there but had little interest in his grandmother’s house. Edward VI granted it to his half-sister Elizabeth, who kept the house in hand when she came to the throne. But early in her reign it required over £120 worth of repairs to make it suitable for use. The queen paid one visit there on her 1566 progress. Despite James I love of hunting in Northamptonshire he seems not to have made use of Collyweston and on his death it was granted away to one of his grooms of the bedchamber.
The area formerly occupied by the house and gardens can still be seen on the crest of the slope at the west edge of the village but all traces of the house, which was of stone, are gone. However a chapel built by Lady Margaret survives in St. Andrew’s Church and a barn and dovecote (dated 1578) may be part of the royal outbuildings. The earthworks of the gardens are extensive, and an investigation of the site would probably reveal much about this important, but unknown royal residence.