Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle, near Coventry, England, is an excellent example of how some castles evolved from relatively humble origins into powerful fortresses and then into comfortable homes and palaces.
For a dramatic silhouette view, please link below :
www.flickr.com/photos/59303791@N00/1025219339/
Fortress
The castle began as a Norman motte and bailey castle of earth and timber, erected between 1100 and 1135 by Geoffrey de Clinton, Chamberlain to Henry I. In the reign of King John (1199-1216) major work was undertaken to make the castle a strongly defended royal fortress. Kenilworth Castle’s defensive capabilities were tested in 1265 when the castle was held by a garrison of 1,200 rebels. Kenilworth castle did not witness any further military action until the Civil War in 1649 when the castle was used as a garrison by both Royalists and Parliamentarians.
Tudor Palace
Between 1361-1399 the building programme of the Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt, changed the castle’s role from defensive to palatial. Domestic buildings were added and work began to make the castle more comfortable. The castle once again became a royal residence when Gaunt’s son became King Henry IV. In 1553, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was granted the castle. Both he and his niece Lady Jane Grey were executed for treason by Queen Mary. However, the castle was regained ten years later by his son Robert Dudley, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, whom she made Earl of Leicester. The castle now entered its most romantic period as Dudley completed the transformation of Kenilworth to a stately Elizabethan palace. Elizabeth did indeed visit several times, the most famous being in 1575 when she stayed for nineteen days.
Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle, near Coventry, England, is an excellent example of how some castles evolved from relatively humble origins into powerful fortresses and then into comfortable homes and palaces.
For a dramatic silhouette view, please link below :
www.flickr.com/photos/59303791@N00/1025219339/
Fortress
The castle began as a Norman motte and bailey castle of earth and timber, erected between 1100 and 1135 by Geoffrey de Clinton, Chamberlain to Henry I. In the reign of King John (1199-1216) major work was undertaken to make the castle a strongly defended royal fortress. Kenilworth Castle’s defensive capabilities were tested in 1265 when the castle was held by a garrison of 1,200 rebels. Kenilworth castle did not witness any further military action until the Civil War in 1649 when the castle was used as a garrison by both Royalists and Parliamentarians.
Tudor Palace
Between 1361-1399 the building programme of the Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt, changed the castle’s role from defensive to palatial. Domestic buildings were added and work began to make the castle more comfortable. The castle once again became a royal residence when Gaunt’s son became King Henry IV. In 1553, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was granted the castle. Both he and his niece Lady Jane Grey were executed for treason by Queen Mary. However, the castle was regained ten years later by his son Robert Dudley, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, whom she made Earl of Leicester. The castle now entered its most romantic period as Dudley completed the transformation of Kenilworth to a stately Elizabethan palace. Elizabeth did indeed visit several times, the most famous being in 1575 when she stayed for nineteen days.