Many things about the castle/palace show that it was built with the purpose of a luxury palace, which showed off his wealth. It had a glorious Tudor chimney and above the gateway leading to the inner court there were all of Buckingham’s titles on plaques. There was one plaque, which said ‘Doresenevant’ which means ‘Hence Forward’, and then next to it there was the remains of a plaque which had been removed and may of read ‘King of England.’ Buckingham built an elaborate Tudor chimney which was really impressive and showed off his wealth. He also copied his style of windows from Henry VIII’s castle at Windsor which also proves he was a show off.
In the 16th centaury people were not building castles because they were expensive, there was hardly any chance of open war and big stone castles were extremely uncomfortable to live in. Many rich people were building palaces because they showed off their wealth and they were comfortable to live in. Some examples of palaces being built at the time were Hampton Court and Richmond Palace, which have some similarities to Thornbury. All 3 palaces have short walls, grand chimneys and lots of windows, which were not ideal features for a defensive castle. Thornbury had a large outer court for drilling soldiers, arrow slits, gun ports and a moat, which was atypical of palaces, which could show Buckingham, had two intentions for his home. An example of a castle in those times was Deal Castle made in the shape of a Tudor rose and was purely for defensive purposes. They all have things in common with Thornbury like Deal Castle has thick walls and Thornbury has a few thick walls facing Wales. Hampton Court and Richmond Palace have low walls like a few walls at Thornbury and they have tall chimneys. Thornbury is different to all of the other palaces and castles because it has features of both types. It has a large outer court, portcullises, arrow slits, crenelations, gun ports and low walls. These are features of palaces and castles; neither a castle nor a palace has both in its design.
Edward Stafford was considered to be the richest and most powerful man in England next to the King. Some historians believe he wanted to be king as he was next in line after Henry VIII. He was a big show off because of his position in society and brandished his wealth all over the place on large homes luxuries. Because he did all this I think he wanted people to see him as a great man and a sort of role model. The Lords tower and the soldiers barracks were completed fist because Buckingham lived in the Lords tower to oversee the building and the soldiers barracks may have been completed early so he could build up his army. Most parts of Thornbury were left unfinished so it is unsure why these were left until last other than the fact they were the least important parts. We cannot be certain of his motives because the castle was never completed due to his beheading. There is mixed evidence that it was built for defence or as a palace but it has characteristics of both types. He may have built it for defence against attacks or as a luxurious palace but we cannot be sure.
Henry may have felt threatened by Buckingham because he went against Henry VII’s law and built his own army. Henry may have thought that Buckingham had intent to attack him and seize the throne so he had him killed. He may have felt insecure because Buckingham could attack him at any time if he wanted. Henry benefited a great deal from Buckingham’s death because he got all of Buckingham’s money and possessions. I think Henry want Buckingham out of the way but he may have intended to take Buckingham’s money because he was running out of his own. Thomas Wolsey probably influenced Henry because they were close friends and he was Henrys chief advisor. Wolsey saw that Buckingham was building a castle or palace and they were great enemies so he reported Buckingham to Henry straight away. Wolsey may have been jealous of Buckingham because he was richer and had a claim to the throne. Wolsey was the son of a butcher whereas Buckingham was descended from two sons of Edward III so Buckingham looked down on Wolsey.
In conclusion I think that Buckingham built his home as a palace rather than a castle for defence however other historians may not agree. (From Castles in England and Wales by W. Douglas) he says ‘I believe it may be true to say that Thornbury was the last English castle to be built with the serious purpose of defence’. Another historian called M.W Simpson says ‘ the surveyor was actually uncertain whether to call it a manor or a castle.’ (From the book ‘The Decline of the Castle’). I think that the walls were too low and there were too many windows for it to be defended well. I think he intended to build a palace but added a few precautions incase it fell under attack. I think he built barracks and made an army because his tenants in Wales did not often pay their rent and sometimes got violent. I don’t think he intended to seize the throne and kill the King because he already had a claim and it looked as though Henry VIII would not have a son but there is evidence to show he may have been plotting against him. For example Thomas Wolsey told the king that Buckingham was plotting against him. Also above the gateway leading to the inner court there were all of Buckingham’s titles including the remains of a plaque, which had been hacked off and may have read ‘King of England’.
