Carisbrooke Castle Museum is pleased to show for the first time at the castle a private collection of rare and significant items associated with King Charles I.
The new exhibition ‘The Ashburnham Collection’, includes objects have been passed down through the family of John Ashburnham, a loyal and trusted courtier who became the treasurer and paymaster of the King’s army during the English Civil War.
Letter from the Civil War era
The collection includes an important collection of Civil War era letters and manuscripts.
There are letters written by Charles, some in cipher, while the most significant item is the detailed and contemporary record of the royal finances, from the cost of maintaining the King’s armies to minor personal disbursements including charitable gifts, providing a unique insight into the Royal court in time of war.
Personal items
The collection also includes personal items of clothing once belonging to Charles, rare surviving examples of early Stuart court textiles, and a lock of hair taken from the King’s body when it was exhumed from his tomb in 1813.
These relics have been treasured for their association with the martyred king.
Our thanks to the Ashburnham Heritage Trust who have placed this collection on long term loan at the museum, to enable greater public access and understanding of the objects and their history.
Carisbrooke Castle Museum
Carisbrooke Castle Museum was founded in 1898 by HRH Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, and is today managed by a local charitable trust. It is housed within the Governor’s House of Carisbrooke Castle, a site in the care of English Heritage.
‘The Ashburnham Collection’ opened at Carisbrooke Castle Museum on Saturday 19th February 2022.
Normal opening times and admission charges apply, visit the Website.
Image: Embroidered cuff of a shirt reputed to have been worn by Charles I at his execution and a lock of hair taken from the body of Charles I when it was exhumed in the 19th century © The Ashburnham Heritage Trust
News shared by Rachel on behalf of Carisbrooke Castle Museum. Ed
