Dunham Massey

Things to see & do

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Katie Taylor holds the letter signed by King Henry VIII © National Trust/Emma Williams

Katie Taylor with the letter signed by King Henry V111

Henry VIII's lost letters

Letters from Henry VIII and Jane Seymour have been discovered at Dunham Massey. Queen Jane’s letter (dated 1537) was written as she awaited the birth of her son, the future King Edward VI.

The letter signed by Henry VII in 1543 is a 'muster' or call to arms, urging landlords to raise troops against Scotland. Britain had no army and relied upon ordinary men to fight.

Katie Taylor, House Steward at Dunham, made the exciting find while researching our new monarchy exhibition, 'Faithful & Obedient'. Katie said: 'The letters are older than the buildings at Dunham, they’ve been carefully kept for centuries.

'I was looking through a folio of papers when I spotted the signatures. Expert John Hodgson, from the John Rylands Library, in Manchester confirmed that they are genuine royal letters.'

The letters are on display in our 'Faithful & Obedient' exhibition, charting the relationship between Dunham's families - the Greys and Booths - and the monarchy over the centuries. The exhibition is open Saturday to Wednesday, 12 - 5pm.