Castles

A selection of images of castles Check out our Teaching Activities How did William the Conqueror secure his control over Saxon England? and How real was the threat of invasion 1538-47?

Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall Pendennis was constructed between 1540 and 1545 by order of Henry VIII as part of a the Cornish end of a chain of coastal castles designed to defend England from a possible French or Spanish invasion. The original Tudor fort is now part of a much larger castle. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Find out more. Take advantage of our free entry for Learning Groups.	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Tintagel Castle, Cornwall Richard of Cornwall built Tintagel castle in the 13th century. This dramatic defensive position had been occupied long before by the Romans. It is also thought to have been a trading settlement of Celtic kings during the 5th and 6th centuries. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Find out more.
Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage.NMR Carisbrooke Castle, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight Standing on a partly-artificial elevation, Carisbrooke Castle occupies site of an earlier Saxon stronghold which replaced a Roman Castra. As the premier defensive site on the Isle of Wight, Carisbrooke was re-fortified by Elizabeth 1st against the perceived threat of the Spanish Armada. The north gate of the outer wall recalls this, and is inscribed ER 1598. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Find out more.	Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage Photo Library The Keep, Dover Castle, Dover, Kent The strategic importance of Dover has long been recognised. The great Keep, built in the 1180s by King Henry II to provide both security and accomodation, was the strongpoint of the medieval Castle. It remained a military site until the end of World War II. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Download the Dover Castle Teacher's Kit to find out more. Take advantage of our free entry for Learning Groups. Explore an interactive map.
Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR Kenilworth Castle, Kenilworth, Warwickshire The first castle was built here soon after the Norman Conquest, and the impressive keep (seen here) survives. Simon de Montfort held the castle in the mid 13th century, while in the 17th century it was the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Essex and favourite of Queen Elizabeth. Many of the buildings date from this period. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Download the Kenilworth Castle Teacher's Kit to find out more. Take advantage of our free entry for Learning Groups.	Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR/Mr Martin Roberts Clifford's Tower (York Castle), York, York William the Conqueror built the castle for his northern campaign of terror in 1069. The stone keep was built in 1245-72. At various points in its history, Clifford’s Tower became a royal mint, functioned as a prison, gruesomely displayed the bodies of leaders of uprisings, and was even a court. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Read detailed archaeological description.
Add to My Favourites Damian Grady. Source English Heritage.NMR Castle Acre Castle, Castle Acre, Norfolk The remains of Castle Acre Castle are located in the southern part of the modern village of Castle Acre. They include a roughly circular inner bailey, an adjoining outer bailey and a triangular barbican (tower). The first stone building built in the centre of the inner bailey was a two storey residential building. It was built between 1070 and 1085. Originally, it stood in the centre of a courtyard surrounded by a ditch and bank. In around 1140 the house was converted to a keep. A second period of development at the castle saw the area of the keep halved and the perimeter defences of the inner bailey strengthened yet again. The perimeter bank was heightened and a second wall of solid flint was built on top of the existing curtain wall. An eastern and western gatehouse provided entry to the outer bailey. The foundations of three buildings are located within the outer bailey and are thought to have been a great hall, detached kitchen and a chapel. The hall was thought to have replaced the house in the inner bailey, after its conversion to a keep. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries the castle continued to be an important administrative centre, but by 1397 it was derelict. The estate was eventually acquired by Sir Edward Coke in 1615, in whose family in remains. The castle was taken into state guardianship in 1929 and is currently opened to the public by English Heritage (2009). Read official list description.	Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage.NMR Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Greater London Authority offices, London Although the White Tower, built in 1078, is Norman other parts of The Tower of London were added at various later dates. It was the seat of government for the whole country during the medieval period.
Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage.NMR Corfe Castle, Dorset Corfe Castle was built after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Improved by later Monarchs including Henry VIII, who added additional walls, towers and gatehouses, the Castle remained in Royal possession until sold by Elizabeth 1st in the 16th century. Its ruinous condition is largely the result of the Civil War when it was besieged and partially demolished by order of Parliament in 1646. The Castle is also believed to be the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Castle.	Add to My Favourites Skyscan Balloon Photography. Source English Heritage Photo Library Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel, Cornwall Built on a spur overlooking the River Fowey with an unusual circular keep circa 1100, Restormel Castle is one of the oldest and best preserved Norman motte and bailey castles in Cornwall. Heavily defended by a 17 metre moat and artificially steepened foundation, the castle was rebuilt in the 13th century by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, for use as a residence. The castle's condition is partly a result of its use a garrison in the Civil War. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Bodiam Castle, East Sussex A view of Bodiam Castle looking across the moat. The castle was built in the late 14th century after Sir Edward Dalyngridge was granted permission to build on the manor against possible French invasion in 1385.It was built to look like a strong medieval castle with round towers but was, in fact, designed more for show than strength.	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Pevensey Castle, Pevensey, East Sussex A Roman fort originally stood on this site. After the Norman Conquest it was given to William the Conqueror's half-brother. By the end of the 11th century he had constructed a full scale Norman castle using the Roman walls. It lay uninhabited from the 16th century. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent Allington Castle surrounded by a moat. It was originally a manor house until it was turned into an embattled castle by Stephen de Penchester in 1281. The castle lay in a ruinous state until it was restored by Sir Martin Conway.	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Castle Rising, Norfolk The mid-12th-century keep at Castle Rising is set within a massive defensive earthwork. The Castle was established in circa 1138 on the site of the Saxon village by William de Albini II, later Earl of Sussex. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010) but owned and managed by Lord howard of Rising.
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire An aerial view of Old Sarum showing the motte and bailey castle and the remains of the medieval bishop's palace. The bishop's seat was transferred to nearby Salisbury in 1219 which gradually led to the decline of the Old Sarum site. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Stokesay Castle, Craven Arms, Shropshire Stokesay Castle is the finest and best-preserved 13th-century fortified manor house in England. It was fortified by Lawrence de Ludlow, a wool merchant, who received his 'License to Crenellate' from Edward 1 in 1291. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR Tower of London, Stepney, London The White Tower is the keep at the heart of the Tower. It was built around 1078 -1100 for William I and William II. This is the earliest known image.	Add to My Favourites Reproduced by permission of English Heritage.NMR Oxford Castle, Oxford, Oxfordshire This 17th century oblique view of the castle site shows the Norman motte or mound built in 1091 by forced Saxon labour. A wooden keep stood on this. The castle was used by the Normans to keep control of the town. Also visible are the remains of the Shire Hall, as well as St George's Tower and Castle Mill beyond.
Add to My Favourites Reproduced by permission of English Heritage.NMR Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire View from Pedscoe Street with a statue of Queen Victoria in the foreground. Windsor is England's largest castle and a royal palace. The castle dates back to William the Conqueror but the first stone buildings were erected by Henry II between 1165 and 1179	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Dunster Castle, Dunster, Somerset A view of part of Dunster Castle from the town. There is now no trace of the original Norman castle at Dunster. The present castle dates mainly from the 15th century when the Luttrell family became the owners. It has been reconstructed several times, most recently in the 19th century and was given to the National Trust in 1976.
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Arundel Castle, Arun, West Sussex An aerial view of the castle which is the home of the Dukes of Norfolk. At its centre is a Norman earthen motte. The upper and lower baileys were constructed in the 12th century. The lower bailey contains the main living quarters which were created in 1890-1903.	Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage.NMR Totnes Castle, Totnes, Devon Totnes Castle was first built as a motte and bailey castle by Judhael of Brittany shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066 AD. It is situated on high ground in close proximity to the River Dart and overlooks Totnes town, which dates back to Saxon times. In 1088 AD the Totnes estate passed to Roger de Nonant and in 1196 AD it passed to the de Braose family. It is believed that Reginald de Braose was responsible for replacing the timber tower with a stone shell keep in around 1219 AD. In 1230 AD the de Cantilipe family controlled the castle before being succeeded by the de la Zouche family in 1273 AD. William de la Zouche was responsible for rebuilding much of the castle in about 1326 AD and this work forms most of the extant remains. After the 14th century, the condition of the castle gradually deteriorated. The castle was later owned by the Edgecombes of Cothele and the Seymour family, by whom it was placed in the guardianship of the Ministry of Works in 1947. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).