Evening at St John's castle, Odiham
The castle was built by King John between 1207 and 1214. It cost over £1000. It was built at the bend of the River Whitewater probably as a defensive strategy but also because it is a halfway point between Windsor and Winchester, which until the 12th century was the capital of England and which was still very important in the 13th century especially ecclesiastically. In 1216 the French laid siege to it. Thereafter it became the home of the very powerful de Montfort family and Simon de Montfort married King John's daughter Eleanor.However de Montfort rebelled against King Henry and was killed in battle and his wife exiled. "In the 14th century the castle played a part in the Despenser's rebellion, was host to a sitting of Parliament, and for eleven years was prison to a Scottish king. By the 15th century, however, it was used only as a hunting-lodge, and in 1605 was described as a ruin."
www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/odiham-castle.htm
Evening at St John's castle, Odiham
The castle was built by King John between 1207 and 1214. It cost over £1000. It was built at the bend of the River Whitewater probably as a defensive strategy but also because it is a halfway point between Windsor and Winchester, which until the 12th century was the capital of England and which was still very important in the 13th century especially ecclesiastically. In 1216 the French laid siege to it. Thereafter it became the home of the very powerful de Montfort family and Simon de Montfort married King John's daughter Eleanor.However de Montfort rebelled against King Henry and was killed in battle and his wife exiled. "In the 14th century the castle played a part in the Despenser's rebellion, was host to a sitting of Parliament, and for eleven years was prison to a Scottish king. By the 15th century, however, it was used only as a hunting-lodge, and in 1605 was described as a ruin."
www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/odiham-castle.htm