Kenilworth Castle
The castle was built over several centuries. Founded in the 1120s around a powerful Norman great tower, the castle was significantly enlarged by King John at the beginning of the 13th century. Huge water defences were created by damming the local streams, and the resulting fortifications proved able to withstand assaults by land and water in 1266. John of Gaunt spent lavishly in the late 14th century, turning the medieval castle into a palace fortress designed in the latest perpendicular style. The Earl of Leicester then expanded the castle during his tenure in the 16th century, constructing new Tudor buildings and exploiting the medieval heritage of Kenilworth to produce a fashionable Renaissance palace.
The site of Lunn's Tower, situated on the outer curtain wall of Kenilworth Castle. It is the best preserved of King John's wall towers of about 1210-1215.
The ground floor of Lunn's tower had five fish-tailed arrow loops, two of which have been restored and are visible today from the exterior. The external stair turret gave access to the two upper floors and the wall-walk. The second floor was built as a residential chamber, and the first floor was subsequently converted into another chamber.
Kenilworth Castle
The castle was built over several centuries. Founded in the 1120s around a powerful Norman great tower, the castle was significantly enlarged by King John at the beginning of the 13th century. Huge water defences were created by damming the local streams, and the resulting fortifications proved able to withstand assaults by land and water in 1266. John of Gaunt spent lavishly in the late 14th century, turning the medieval castle into a palace fortress designed in the latest perpendicular style. The Earl of Leicester then expanded the castle during his tenure in the 16th century, constructing new Tudor buildings and exploiting the medieval heritage of Kenilworth to produce a fashionable Renaissance palace.
The site of Lunn's Tower, situated on the outer curtain wall of Kenilworth Castle. It is the best preserved of King John's wall towers of about 1210-1215.
The ground floor of Lunn's tower had five fish-tailed arrow loops, two of which have been restored and are visible today from the exterior. The external stair turret gave access to the two upper floors and the wall-walk. The second floor was built as a residential chamber, and the first floor was subsequently converted into another chamber.