Angel and Royal Hotel

The Angel and Royal is a hotel in Grantham, Lincolnshire which has been in operation since 1203, making it one of the oldest hotels in the world. The hotel is known to have hosted a large number of royals in the past.HistoryThe hotel, originally named The Angel, started as a hostel built by the Knights Templar in 1203 on Great North Road, which, at the time passed, through the centre of Grantham. The hostelry was run by the Knights until their dissolution in 1312. The hostel started developing into a coaching inn over the years.In 1812 the Inn was sold by Lord Brownlow to Sir William Manners, along with his other property in Grantham. In 2002 the hotel was purchased by Ashdale Hotels and underwent extensive renovation.Royal visitsA number of English royals are known to have stayed at The Angel. The first to stay was King John, who held court at the hotel on 23 February 1213. Edward III and Queen Philippa stayed at the hotel in the 14th century; their heads are carved on the front of the building.On 19 October 1483 Richard III held court at the inn. It was from the "Chambre de' Roi" that he sent a letter requesting for the Great Seal to issue the death warrant against his cousin, Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham for his instigation of Buckingham's rebellion. Copies of the letter, the original of which is kept by the British Museum, are displayed in the hotel's dining room.