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Information About Framlingham Castle
By peace | May 24, 2006
Framlingham Castle has an interesting history as a result of many different ownerships and has, during its life, been a fortress, a prison, a poor house and a school.
The Bigod family rebelled against Royal authority, and Framlingham castle was first taken by King John in the early 13th century.
During the reign of King Edward I Frmalingham Castle became the property of the Mowbray family, and later passed through Ann Mowbray to the Howard family who were responsible for extensive repairs to the castle. Despite being one of a number of properties owned by the new Earls of Norfolk, because Framlingham Castle was less elaborate as a residence, it was little used.
Therefore, during the 17th century the castle was bequeathed to Pembroke College with the condition that a poor house be constructed. It was at this time that the majority of Framlingham Castle’s original buildings were purposely demolished. The Great Hall, built by the Bigod family along the western curtain wall, was incorporated into the structure of the poor house, and the three small windows at low level date from that original Norman hall.
The present remains date almost entirely from late 12th Century. In 1190 Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk made good the damage to the castle caused when Henry III ordered its destruction 1177. He also added to the castle resulting in 13 strong towers, walls and defending earthworks. It was one of the first to dispense with a great tower. In 1213 King John stayed at the castle and three years later he besieged and captured it. It then became the chief seat of the Mowbray family and later the Howards, dukes of Norfolk. In 1553 Princess Mary came to stay at the castle and it was here that the Earl of Norfolk came to tell her that she had become Queen of England. The dukes of Norfolk preferred to stay in their more comfortable properties and little use was made of the castle except when it was used by Elizabeth I as a prison.
The main entrance was altered and the bridge built by the 3rd duke and the ornamental chimneys on most of the towers were added in the 16th century. The castle took no part in the Civil War and as a result its battlements are well preserved. In 1636 the castle was bequeathed to Pembroke College, Cambridge with the proviso that all castle excepting the stone building should be demolished and a poor-house built on the site. The great hall and other internal buildings were gradually pulled down. The poor-house lasted for 200 years and the castle was then used as a county court.
