Cumberland Lodge - History of The Building

History of The Building

The house was built by John Byfield, an army captain, in 1650 when Oliver Cromwell divided up and sold off lots in Windsor Great Park. The house was called Byfield House until 1670. It was then renamed New Lodge, and at times was also known as Windsor Lodge or Ranger Lodge.

After the Restoration, King Charles II made the house the official residence of the Ranger of the Great Park — a Crown appointment always held by someone close to the Sovereign.

Among those who have lived at the Lodge were:

  • Baptist May, the first resident Ranger;
  • Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1702–1744); John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough who died there in 1722;
  • John Spencer (1744–1746);
  • Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, son of King George II (1746–1765);
  • Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn, son of Frederick, Prince of Wales (1765–1790);
  • Anne, Duchess of Cumberland and Strathearn, widow of Henry (1790–1803);
  • George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (until 1822);
  • Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, son of King George III (1830–1843);
  • Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (1846–1923);
  • Lord Fitzalan of Derwent, last Viceroy of Ireland (1923–1947).

During 1936 Cumberland Lodge was used for key meetings between the King’s Private Secretary and the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, which eventually led to the abdication of King Edward VIII.

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