By the Tudor period, Baconsthorpe was established as a vast and profitable wool producing estate. It is estimated that the Heydons owned 20,000 to 30,000 sheep.
The eastern service range was converted by Sir John II into a wool processing ‘factory’. Large windows provided light for the spinners and weavers to produce cloth.
The coarse material was softened by ‘fulling’, a process of pounding the cloth by foot in soapy water or stale urine. This probably took place in a tank in the base of the north-east tower. Much of the cloth was sold to the Netherlands.
The textile industry brought considerable prosperity to Norfolk, and to the Heydon family. They spent the profits on lavish living and extensive building works during the 16th century. These included the construction of an outer gatehouse and a park in 1561, and later, the creation of ornamental gardens and a lake.
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The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
