Anne of Cleves’ Oxfordshire manor is for sale

It was dangerous work being married to King Henry VIII; after all, he executed two of his six wives. While Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard met their fates at the executioner’s block, and two of his other wives died natural deaths, the true survivor was Anne of Cleves, whom Henry married in January 1540, only to annul their union six months later.

Though the marriage didn’t work out and history has unfairly remembered her as the ‘ugly’ wife, Anne’s pragmatic approach to their annulment put her in a position of power (and wealth) for the rest of her life. Under the title The King’s Sister, she amassed a considerable property portfolio as part of her divorce settlement, including Oxfordshire property Broughton Hall.

This historic manor house is now on the market for £3.75m, listed with Butler Sherborn.

Broughton Hall was initially built by Thomas Cromwell (another casualty of Henry’s reign) and granted to Anne in 1540. Today, it is Grade II-listed, with additions and alterations made during subsequent centuries. As a result, the house offers an assortment of architectural styles and a unique history.

The oldest original part of the house is at its centre. Period features include an original Tudor hearth in one of the sitting rooms, Georgian drawing rooms and a grand hall.

The Oxfordshire property boasts nine bedrooms spread across its top two floors, with windows overlooking 4.6 acres of private gardens. These grounds encompass tennis courts, manicured lawns, mature gardens, and a charming stone pavilion named in Anne’s honour.