Is it true that Anne of Cleves ransacked one of her former royal residences?

Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, received a life interest in Bletchingley Place in Surrey as part of her generous annulment settlement. But her financial security did not long survive her former husband. In April 1547 the Privy Council, declaring the residence surplus to her requirements, ordered her to surrender it to Sir Thomas Cawarden, who was Anne’s own steward there. This clearly rankled, as the ambassador from Cleves was still trying to obtain its return more than four years later. When Anne subsequently visited Cawarden at Bletchingley and his London residence, she seems to have taken more direct action. The cost to Cawarden of hosting Cleves and her retinue was staggering, with vast quantities of wine and beer required, as well as such exotic fare as ginger, cloves, pepper, raisins and prunes. In fact, on at least one occasion, Cawarden petitioned the Privy Council to be reimbursed. If that wasn’t enough, Anne and her household were far from exemplary houseguests, with Cawarden lamenting the “spoiled, broken and lost” pewter plate that he had personally supplied for her use. Kitchen equipment was also damaged beyond repair. Anne made herself right at home as her attendants wreaked havoc, even requesting that Cawarden furnish a private kitchen with fresh fish and other ingredients so that she could pursue an interest in cookery. Was the trail of destruction that Anne left motivated by revenge? Perhaps. Cawarden certainly seems to have recalled her visits with a shudder. Elizabeth Norton, author of The Lives of Tudor Women (Head of Zeus, 2017)