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Windsor Castle
By peace | April 10, 2007
Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The enormous castle was begun by William the Conqueror on a typical Norman motte and bailey plan. William chose a commanding spot for his fortress, on a high (100ft) cliff overlooking the Thames River. He built up a mound of earth and erected a wooden pallisade atop the mound, or motte.
Winsor originated as a motte and bailey fortification as part of a defensive program instituted by William the Conqueror after his victory in 1066. It was built on the only naturally defensive site on a ridge above the Thames Valley. The castle was used primarily for defense purposes until Henry II rebuilt the castle in stone, concurrently adding extensive expansions for Windsor’s use as a State residence. The basic curtain wall and the Round Tower (as pictured at the top of this page) were also begun by Henry II. Henry III is credited with the addition of 5 circular towers added to the curtain wall. He also remodeled his predecessor’s State apartments and added a new Chapel to the castle.
The Medieval Reconstruction of Windsor Castle during the reign of Edward III reflects the era’s ideal of Christian chivalric monarchy and this new gothic palace became the seat of the Order of the Garter. The extensive construction included the building of the College of St. George, an inner gatehouse with cylindrical towers, stone-vaulted undercrofts which supported new Royal apartments for the King and Queen, the Great Hall and the Royal Chapel. Significant alterations and improvements continued by successive monarchs throughout the Medieval period.
The castle was siezed by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War in the mid 17th Century and was used as a prison. King Charles I was buried under the Chapel of St. George following his execution at Whitehall in 1649 on the order of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector. The Interregnum lasted only 11 years and was the only disruption of the British monarchy since its institution.
Within the chapel are the tombs of 10 monarchs, including Edward IV, Charles I, George V and Queen Mary, and George VI. Also buried here is Henry VIII, who lies beside his favourite wife, Jane Seymour. Behind St George’s Chapel is the entrance to the Albert Memorial, built by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband and consort, Prince Albert. Albert himself is buried in the Frogmore Mausoleum in the grounds of Windsor Great Park.
Not surprisingly this historic building has its fair share of ghosts, these include King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, King Charles I and King George III (mad King George). Henry is supposed to haunt the cloisters near the Deanery with ghostly groans and the sound of dragging footsteps and the library is also said to harbour the ghost of George III.
The Long Walk is said to be haunted by a young guardsman who shot himself because, according to legend, he had seen the ghost of Herne the Hunter.
Windsor Castle opens at 9.45am daily throughout the year. From March to October admission continues until 4.00pm and the Castle closes at 5.15pm. From November to February admissions cease at 3.00pm and the Castle closes at 4.15pm. During the winter months the Semi-State Rooms are included in the visitor route. Standard admission charges apply.
Topics: All Posts, Castles, Gallery, Medieval |
