The Essex cast arrived in full Tudor costume to enjoy a medieval banquet to celebrate Arg’s birthday. Despite the cold weather, and revealing costumes the cast remained in festive spirit for the occasion.

Most of the filming took place in the castle’s banqueting hall which can be hired for weddings, banquets and other celebratory events.

The Only Way is Essexmas Special will air on 20th December on ITV 2 at 10pm!

On Friday, November 25, Sir Derek Jacobi visited Hedingham Castle, as part of a BBC Documentary series on Shakespeare’s plays.

The episode presented by Sir Derek will focus on Richard II, one of Shakespeare’s most beautiful and moving plays. It is the only history play written entirely in verse.

Sir Derek was filmed in the keep, the ancestral home of the Earl of Oxford, and in the grounds. As well as discussing the play with the current owner, Jason Lindsay, the pair exchanged views on the “Oxfordian” debate, which questions whether the 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare. It is well known that Sir Derek is a supporter of the Oxfordian cause.

Sir Derek also interviewed local historian, Jane Greatorex about Richard II’s scandalous relationship with the 9th Earl, Robert de Vere.

The series entitled, Prefaces to Shakespeare will be broadcast on BBC Two in Spring 2012.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00kyn44#synopsis

Since the late 18th Century the background and biography of Shakespeare has been investigated, however the more that is learnt, the more questions are raised regarding the authorship.

No records exist to date that the Stratford based Shakespeare received an education or any evidence regarding travelling abroad. As the question mark over the authenticity of Shakespeare playwrights grew, historians began to look at other candidates, the one man whose life matches the historical and literary evidence was Essex born Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford and Lord of the Manor at Hedingham Castle.

In 1561 Queen Elizabeth I stayed at Hedingham Castle and Edward is said to have been one of her favourites and was acknowledged to be the best of the courtier poets. In Elizabethan times it was considered unbecoming for noblemen to publish poetry or write plays under their own name, as a result a nobleman would have to remain anonymous or write under a pseudonym. Edward had earned himself the nickname “he who shakes spears” following sporting achievements, did this aspire the greatest name in literature….

Hedingham Castle, near Braintree in North Essex is where Edward De Vere spent his early childhood and was the inspiration for his great ability to write. Many of the characters and events of the De Vere’s life are mirrored in the plays which appear to have been written by a highly educated nobleman with an intimate understanding of court life.

Hedingham Castle remains an enduring monument to the De Vere’s, Earls of Oxford, who ruled this part of the country like monarchs of their own land. Today the De Vere’s are no longer, but the magnificent 110 feet tall Norman keep still dominates the Essex countryside as it has done since 1140. The Lindsay family, descendants of the De Vere’s, now own the castle and live in the mansion house with their young family. Amongst the indigenous trees and shrubs you can imagine Edward De Vere penning his infamous scripts?

Today the gardens of Hedingham Castle are enjoyed by many, recently landscaped by channel 4’s “Landscape Garden programme”; they make the perfect setting for weddings, corporate events and family days out. Events at the castle include Jousting tournaments, Medieval Siege’s and outside performances from the Globe Theatre.

Shakespeare’s work has shaped our language, education and society for the past 400 years and will continue to do so, but will we ever uncover the truth. A trip out to Hedingham Castle may well wet your taste buds for further insight into the conspiracy theory behind the works of Shakespeare.

In the words of the great man himself, “The rest is silence”…