Juliana Leybourne, The Ultimate Medieval Power woman:  Inside the Court of the “Infanta of Kent” 

In a 14th-century world governed almost entirely by men, Lady Juliana de Leyborne (1303–1367) was an extraordinary anomaly.  A formidable heiress who outlived three husbands, she refused to let her independence or vast holdings be swallowed up by the Crown or ambitious suitors. Controlling over 26 manors, she commanded such immense wealth and regional influence that her contemporaries gave her a title usually reserved for royal princesses: the “Infanta of Kent.”

When Lady Juliana passed away at her favored seat of Preston Court on November 1, 1367, her executors cataloged every single asset of her estate. Thanks to this surviving inventory—preserved in Sir Edward Dering’s famous Surrenden Collection—we get a rare look into the life of a female powerhouse who answered to virtually no one, lived on her own terms, and negotiated directly with King Edward III.

1. Independent Fortune, Bling & Power Dressing 

In an era when a woman’s legal rights and assets were typically surrendered upon marriage, Juliana held absolute sway over her vast personal wealth, valued at well over £2,000—a staggering fortune at the time.

• The Cash & Jewels: She kept £124 in ready cash in her wardrobe alongside a staggering £410 in gold and silver jewels—a massive liquid reserve that gave her true financial autonomy.

• Power Fashion: Her wardrobe was a statement of authority. She wore silk, silver, and gold fabrics, head ornaments worth over £10, and rich fur-lined gowns tailored with fine buttons.

• Custom Tapestries: Her chambers featured lavish hangings depicting legendary tales (Bevis of Hampton) and her own family’s coat of arms—a bold visual reminder of the Leyborne dynasty to anyone who entered.

2. Feasting Like Royalty at Preston Court 

Juliana ran her household with the scale and efficiency of a royal palace. Her larder and kitchens were stocked to host armies of knights, estate stewards, and high-ranking guests:

• Massive Meat Provisions: 30 whole oxen, 2 boars, 200 hogs, 280 sheep, and 16 salted fat bucks.

• Cellars & Seafood: Stacks of salmon, stockfish, and salt-fish, washed down with a pipe of imported fine red wine.

• A Fleet of Stables: Her stable housed high-status riding horses, including a prize steed valued at over £13—worth more than many medieval farmhouses!

3. Ruling an Empire from Preston 

While her footprint spanned manors across Kent—including Leyborne, Elham, Ashford, Gare, and Wateringbury—Preston Court was her primary stronghold and command center. Her Preston manor alone held £139 in crops, livestock, and equipment.

Upon her death without surviving heirs, her immense empire reverted to the Crown because no single noble family was large enough to automatically absorb it. This surviving snapshot of her Preston estate stands as proof of an unmatched legacy: Lady Juliana wasn’t just a spectator to medieval history—she ruled her corner of it with absolute authority right here at Preston Court.