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Looking out from the top of Guy's Tower at Warwick Castle in Warwick, Warwickshire, with Mill Street and St Nicholas Church in the foreground and what I believe to be Coventry (or possibly Leamington Spa) in the far background.
The Tower was built in the 14th century, it is 12 sided, stands 39 meters high and has five stories. The first four stories consist of a central stone vaulted chamber and two side rooms and the fifth story is a hexagonal guardroom. During the Civil War the windows were enlarged so that they could take a small hand-held cannon.
Warwick Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in recognition of its status as a "nationally important" archaeological site or historic building, and is a Grade I listed building. It is built on a sandstone bluff on a bend of the River Avon in Warwick Warwickshire. The river, which runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff and natural defences.
An Anglo-Saxon burh was established on the site in 914; with fortifications instigated by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. The burh she established was one of ten which defended Mercia against the marauding Danes. Its position allowed it to dominate the Fosse Way, as well as the river valley and the crossing over the River Avon. Though the motte to the south-west of the present castle is now called "Ethelfleda's Mound", it is in fact part of the later Norman fortifications, and not of Anglo-Saxon origin.
Following the Norman Conquest William the Conqueror built a castle on the site of the burgh. The castle's position made it strategically important in safeguarding the Midlands against rebellion as William advanced with his army northwards. William appointed Henry de Beaumont, the son of a powerful Norman family, as constable of the castle and in 1088, Henry de Beaumont was made the first Earl of Warwick.
During the 12th century, King Henry I was suspicious of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick. To counter the earl's influence, Henry bestowed Geoffrey de Clinton with a position of power rivalling that of the earl.
The original wooden motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the facade opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th century military architecture. It was used as a stronghold until the early 17th century, when it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville by James I in 1604. Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978 when it was bought by the Tussauds Group.
In May 2007 Tussauds was purchased by Merlin Entertainments who continue to operate the castle on a lease, having sold the freehold to Nick Leslau's Prestbury Group in July 2007.
13646
Looking out from the top of Guy's Tower at Warwick Castle in Warwick, Warwickshire, with Mill Street and St Nicholas Church in the foreground and what I believe to be Coventry (or possibly Leamington Spa) in the far background.
The Tower was built in the 14th century, it is 12 sided, stands 39 meters high and has five stories. The first four stories consist of a central stone vaulted chamber and two side rooms and the fifth story is a hexagonal guardroom. During the Civil War the windows were enlarged so that they could take a small hand-held cannon.
Warwick Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in recognition of its status as a "nationally important" archaeological site or historic building, and is a Grade I listed building. It is built on a sandstone bluff on a bend of the River Avon in Warwick Warwickshire. The river, which runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff and natural defences.
An Anglo-Saxon burh was established on the site in 914; with fortifications instigated by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. The burh she established was one of ten which defended Mercia against the marauding Danes. Its position allowed it to dominate the Fosse Way, as well as the river valley and the crossing over the River Avon. Though the motte to the south-west of the present castle is now called "Ethelfleda's Mound", it is in fact part of the later Norman fortifications, and not of Anglo-Saxon origin.
Following the Norman Conquest William the Conqueror built a castle on the site of the burgh. The castle's position made it strategically important in safeguarding the Midlands against rebellion as William advanced with his army northwards. William appointed Henry de Beaumont, the son of a powerful Norman family, as constable of the castle and in 1088, Henry de Beaumont was made the first Earl of Warwick.
During the 12th century, King Henry I was suspicious of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick. To counter the earl's influence, Henry bestowed Geoffrey de Clinton with a position of power rivalling that of the earl.
The original wooden motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the facade opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th century military architecture. It was used as a stronghold until the early 17th century, when it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville by James I in 1604. Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978 when it was bought by the Tussauds Group.
In May 2007 Tussauds was purchased by Merlin Entertainments who continue to operate the castle on a lease, having sold the freehold to Nick Leslau's Prestbury Group in July 2007.