Allington Castle in Kent
In 1489 – after Henry VII appointed Henry Wyatt Esquire of the Body, King’s Select Bodyguard – our ancestor sold his home in Solhange and purchased Allington Castle, just north of Maidstone in Kent.
The stone moated castle was already very old when the Wyatts took possession. In 1281 Edward I had given Stephen of Penchester – Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports – license to built battlements. (Licenses were necessary to help prevent unruly nobles from fortifying castles and raising armies to war against their “betters.”)
The castle was badly damaged by a fire in the late 16th century.
In 1951 it became home to a convent of the Order of the Carmelites.
In 1965 Allington Castle played the role of “Castle De’ath” in The Avengers TV series, which premiered in London on October 28, 1965 and in the U.S. on May 2, 1966.
In “the avengers.tv” the author notes that American censors apparently missed Emma Peel’s exposed bellybutton and a significant wardrobe malfunction involving an actor in a kilt. According to “imbd.com” the storyline goes like this: “When an agent in diving gear is found dead in a Scottish loch yet substantially taller than he was whilst he was alive Steed and Mrs. Peel visit a remote castle owned by the feuding De’ath cousins, Ian and Angus, to investigate the sinister goings-on.”
Most of the previews have exterior shots of the castle; this one has the conclusion and interior shots, complete with Emma’s leather catsuit and a fight. Enjoy …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Av14dgf3IY
I believe Netflix may have full episodes, so I’m going to check that out as well.
According to Wikipedia, Allington is currently a private residence owned and occupied by Lord and Lady Worcester; so I think Netflix is as close as we’re going to get.
I know some of you have actually BEEN there, so if you know something I don’t, please share!
Sir Thomas Wyatt the Poet 