Beaudesert
Beaudesert is an ancient hamlet in Warwickshire, close to Henley-in-Arden.
It is reached down a lane from Henley High Street.
The original settlement in the area, it was owned by the de Montfort family, who were given the right to build a castle by the Empress Matilda, while she was in her period of ascendancy over Stephen.
When Simon de Montfort was defeated at Evesham, and his body cut to pieces on the orders of the future Edward III, part of the Royal revenge was the destruction of this castle.
St. Nicholas Church is a splendid Norman church which stands in the shadow of the castle mound.