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Castle Geyser is a cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. It is noted for the particularly large geyserite sinter deposits, which form its cone. These deposits have been likened in appearance to a castle.
Stokesay Castle is quite simply the finest and best preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. Set in peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, the castle, timber-framed gatehouse and parish church form an unforgettably picturesque group.
Although it looks much older, Castle Stewart was built in the early 17th century, but was evidently modeled on a much older style, in a period when very different ideas were entertained as to what constituted a suitable and commodious laird's dwelling. As well as the simple oblong plan, the antique character was maintained by finishing the walls with a parapet all the way round, projected only very slightly on plain corbels.
Various details here, become clear to the discerning eye! The lowermost level visible is the second floor, the level above the first floor Hall. The lowermost floor contained a low ceilinged room, which had no fireplace and was therefore presumably a store room, not a kitchen.
The second floor, the lowermost level shown in this photo, would normally have been the private quarters of the laird's family. The left jamb of the fireplace can be seen near the bottom centre of the photo, and parts of the other jamb to the right. All but a small section of the lintel has gone. The large opening over to the left (west), with the slipping key-stone, is a window recess and judging by the section of dressed stone within the walling, there was another in the east wall. The smaller opening, rebated for a door, was a wall chamber or perhaps a garderobe. There are two corbel stones sticking out of the wall above the fireplace, which are too low to support the floor of the next level up, and I guess must have supported a stone hood over the fireplace.
There are two more corbel stones above the aforementioned pair, which did support the third floor, the line of which can also be seen cut into the west wall. The fireplace at this level is also visible in the west wall. MacGibbon & Ross, whose view of the castle was obscured by ivy in 1889, wrote the following:
"On the third floor, on the west side, the lintel of a very large fireplace (8 feet to 10 feet wide) appears in good preservation, forming an example of a straight arch in four stones, and a key-stone, checked to prevent slipping, which still hangs amid the ivy as if in mid-air. Above this lintel there runs a moulded cornice, decorated with good-sized dog-teeth ornamentation. This is the only piece of decorative work traceable in the building, which, however, is completely obscured, both inside and outside, with a dense covering of ivy, concealing all further details."
That fireplace has now completely gone (or been removed) except for one small section of the right jamb, with a piece of the lintel sitting on it, sticking out "as if in mid air".
The reflection of Cinderella Castle in the stream that runs on the side of castle in Walt Disney World.
Trakai Castle. Near Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. This is a castle sitting on an island in the middle of a big lake. You have to cross two bridges to get to it. Obviously it's pretty popular with tourists. There is a museum inside, but most people just come to wander around the outside (which is actually much more impressive). Trakai is about a half-hour drive from Lithuania's capital of Vilnius.
This is the re-entrant tower on the north side of the main block, in its angle with the north-east tower on the left. The 'join' is where the later north wing was added on.
Dunster Castle is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, in the village of Dunster, Somerset, England. The castle lies on the top of a steep hill called the Tor, and has been fortified since the late Anglo-Saxon period. After the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century, William de Mohun constructed a timber castle on the site as part of the pacification of Somerset. A stone shell keep was built on the motte by the start of the 12th century, and the castle survived a siege during the early years of the Anarchy. At the end of the 14th century the de Mohuns sold the castle to the Luttrell family, who continued to occupy the property until the late 20th century.
Castle Keep in Newcastle, looking lovely in the late sun with the spring blossom...
Thanks for looking, always very much appreciated.
All images are ©Paul Nelson.
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www.paulnelsonphotography.co.uk
The road to the castle was closed so I parked up and marched down the hill through the trees. I slipped and very very nearly impaled my throat with a broken branch, how embarrassing would that have been?!
Sudeley Castle is located in the Cotswolds near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England. The present structure was built in the 15th century and may have been on the site of a 12th-century castle. The castle has a notable garden, which is designed and maintained to a very high standard. The chapel, St. Mary's Sudeley, is the burial place of Queen Catherine Parr (1512–1548), the sixth wife of King Henry VIII, and contains her marble tomb. Unusually for a castle chapel, St Mary's of Sudeley is part of the local parish of the Church of England. Sudeley is also one of the few castles left in England that is still a residence. As a result, the castle is only open to visitors on specific dates, and private family quarters are closed to the public. It is a Grade I listed building,[1] and recognised as an internationally important structure.
History
The Queen's Gardens at Sudeley Castle
A castle may have been built on the site during the reign of King Stephen (1135–1154).[3] In 1442, Ralph Boteler, who was created Baron Sudeley by King Henry VI of England, inherited Sudeley Castle and built the current castle on its present site, using what he had earned fighting in the Hundred Years' War. He built quarters for servants and men at arms on the double courtyard that was surrounded by a moat. He also added state and family apartments on the second courtyard. The Chapel, which would become St. Mary's, and the tithe barn were also built under Boteler. Unfortunately, Boteler failed to gain royal permission to crenellate the castle, and had to seek King Henry VI's pardon.[4]
Due to his support for the Lancastrian cause, King Edward IV of England confiscated the castle from Boteler in 1469, and gave it to his brother, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester, who later became King Richard III of England. Richard used the castle as a base for the Battle of Tewkesbury. He later exchanged this property for Richmond Castle, making Sudeley property of the crown. Ownership of the castle returned to Richard when he became king in 1483. During his reign, the Banqueting Hall, with oriel windows, and the adjoining state rooms, now in ruins, were built in place of the eastern range of Boteler’s inner court as part of a royal suite.
After King Richard's death at the Battle of Bosworth, Sudeley passed to the new king, Henry VII of England, who then gave it to his uncle, Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford. By the time King Henry VIII of England succeeded to the throne, the castle was the property of the Crown again. In 1535, King Henry VIII and his second wife, Queen Anne Boleyn, visited the castle, which had been empty and unattended for some time.
When King Henry VIII died, the castle became the property of his son, King Edward VI of England, who gave it to his uncle, Thomas Seymour, whom he made Baron of Sudeley. In early Spring 1547, Lord Seymour married King Edward's stepmother, the Dowager Queen Catherine Parr. At the announcement of her pregnancy in late 1547, Seymour began to renovate the castle for Catherine's use, but only one room that he built remains today. Lord Seymour and Catherine decided that she should move to Sudeley for the final months of her pregnancy. At about six months, Catherine was accompanied by Lady Jane Grey and a large retinue of ladies to attend on her, as well as over one hundred gentlemen of the household and Yeomen of the guard. Catherine's sister Anne, Countess of Pembroke, also came and attended upon her as her chief lady and groom of the stool. Catherine gave birth to her daughter, Lady Mary Seymour, on 30 August 1548, only to die on 5 September of that year. She was buried in the Chapel. Her grave was later discovered in 1782, after the castle and the chapel had been left in ruins by the English Civil War. She was later reinterred by the Rector of Sudeley in 1817, and an elaborate tomb was erected in her honour.
In 1549, Lord Seymour's ambitions led him to be arrested and beheaded; after which, Sudeley Castle became the property of Catherine's brother, William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton. After Parr's involvement with the plot to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, he was stripped of his property and title by Queen Mary I of England. Parr would regain his titles later on under Queen Elizabeth I of England, but the Castle remained property of the Crown.
In 1554, Queen Mary I gave Sudeley Castle to John Brydges, 1st Baron Chandos, and it remained his property throughout her reign and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I as well. It was at Sudeley that Queen Elizabeth was entertained three times. Also, a spectacular three-day feast was held there to celebrate the anniversary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1592. He is buried in the chapel, as well, as was Giles Brugge, 6th Baron Chandos.
n 1877, the then owner described the castle thus:
Few residences can boast a greater antiquity, or have witnessed more striking changes. A mansum, or manor-house, before the Conquest, a baronial castle in the time of Stephen, then alternately going to decay, or rising into additional magnificence, with stately towers to overlook the vale — again suffering from neglect, and once more right royally restored and beautified to receive the widowed Queen as Seymour s Bride, with all her lordly retinue.][5]
Current ownership
The current owners are Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe, widow of Henry Cubitt, 4th Baron Ashcombe, and her two children: Henry Dent-Brocklehurst and Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst. After the death of Lady Ashcombe's husband Mark Dent-Brocklehurst in 1972, she owns 50 percent of the equity, while her children each own 25 percent.
Mark inherited Sudeley in 1949 after the death of his father. His mother decided to stay at the castle though until 1969. It was at this time that Mark and his American-born wife, Elizabeth, decided to open up the castle to the public.[6] It took two years to convert the home into a tourist attraction, but Mark died in 1972, leaving a large amount of both debts and death duties. Lady Ashcombe married Baron Ashcombe, and the couple made major renovations.[7] Lady Ashcombe and her children have since taken over the management of the castle as a visitor attraction.[8]
BBC Four featured an investigation into the castle on 27 June 2007 titled Crisis At The Castle.[9] This detailed the turmoil associated with managing the castle within three sets of owners and their families.[10] Closing the castle to the general public on some weekdays meant that visitors were disheartened when embarking on their day trips, and resulted in a dramatic fall in visitor numbers in the three years leading up to the creation of the programme.
The castle is sometimes used for high-profile events, such as the 2007 wedding of English actress Elizabeth Hurley to Indian textile heir Arun Nayar, which took place in the private chapel.
Twikipedia
Fyvie Castle is a castle in the village of Fyvie, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The earliest parts of Fyvie Castle date from the 13th century - some sources claim it was built in 1211 by William the Lion. Fyvie was the site of an open-air court held by Robert the Bruce, and Charles I lived there as a child. Following the Battle of Otterburn in 1390, it ceased to be a royal stronghold and instead fell into the possession of five successive families - Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Leith - each of whom added a new tower to the castle. The oldest of these, the Preston tower (located on the far right as one faces the main facade of Fyvie), dates to between 1390 and 1433. The impressive Seton tower forms the entrance, and was erected in 1599 by Alexander Seton; Seton also commissioned the great processional staircase several years later. The Gordon tower followed in 1777, and the Leith in 1890.
Inside, the castle stronghold features a great wheel stair, a display of original arms and armour, and a collection of portraits.
Manus O'Cahan and Montrose fought a successful minor battle against the Covenant Army at Fyvie Castle on October 28, 1644. The battlefield is currently under research to be inventoried and protected by Historic Scotland under the Scottish Historical Environment Policy of 2009.[ Following Victorian trends, the grounds and adjoining Loch Fyvie were landscaped in the 19th century. The Scottish industrialist Alexander Leith (later Baron Leith of Fyvie) bought the castle in 1885. It was sold to the National Trust for Scotland in 1984 by his descendants
The tower has a fully functional interior. Unfortunately, it doesn't show as well as I'd hoped through the fence pieces.
Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined castle in the border region of Scotland. It is under the care of Historic Scotland. The Castle has a reputation, both from its history and its appearance, as one of the most sinister and atmospheric in Scotland.
Tintagel Castle (Cornish: Dintagel, meaning "fort of the constriction") is a medieval fortification located on the peninsula of Tintagel Island, adjacent to the village of Tintagel in Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. The site was possibly occupied in the Romano-British period, as an array of artefacts dating to this period have been found on the peninsula, but as yet no Roman era structure has been proven to have existed there. It subsequently saw settlement during the Early Medieval period, when it was probably one of the seasonal residences of the regional king of Dumnonia. A castle was built on the site by Richard, Earl of Cornwall in the 13th century, during the Later Medieval period, after Cornwall had been subsumed into the kingdom of England. It later fell into disrepair and ruin. Archaeological investigation into the site began in the 19th century as it became a tourist attraction, with visitors coming to see the ruins of Richard's castle. In the 1930s, excavations revealed significant traces of a much earlier high status settlement, which had trading links with the Mediterranean during the Late Roman period.
Church of St. Michael , Castle Frome, Herefordshire standing in the north part of the parish, is built of local sandstone
In 1086 Castle Frome belonged to Roger de Lacy, who inherited numerous estates in Herefordshire and Shropshire from his father Walter who died in 1085. The family was based at Weobley, and their lands included 58 manors valued in 1086 at £234.00 at least, an enormous sum for the time - Castle Frome named Brismerfrum after its pre-Conquest owner Brihtmer (with Brichtmer(es)froma and Castelli in the margin). Walter a great benefactor, is thought to have built an earlier church and also a motte & bailey castle which survives as a small mound 350 yards to the east.
Son Roger de Lacy was banished in 1096 when the estates passed to his brother Hugh who died c1115 and whose only child Sybil married Payn FitzJohn, who thus inherited most of the Lacy fortune Sybil survived her husband who died in 1137
The present chancel and nave were built in the first half of the 12c, possibly by Sybil and her husband. The magnificent carved font installed c1150 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/0E731B may also be thanks to Sybil.
High on a window ledge in the chancel is a small carved figure of a knight holding a heart, possibly Adam de Lacy (d.1297) Stolen in 2012, he was returned in 2014 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1c8J19
Restoration took place in 15c with the installation of windows and new roofs in the nave and chancel
The tower has 3 bells, one inscribed in lombardic capitals "Mauddillamor. W.T." probably mediæval.
The Unett family acquired the manor on the marriage in 1432 of John Unett with heiress Elizabeth Brace grand daughter of lord of the manor Sir William Devereux a descendant of the Lacys - there is a tomb by the altar steps of mid 17c www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/k2i0jc
All restored in 1878 when the bell-turret was re-built and the north vestry and south porch added.
Bran Castle is a castle in the Romanian village of Bran, 16 miles southwest of Brașov. It is a national monument and landmark in Romania.
Commonly known outside Romania as Dracula's Castle, it is often erroneously referred to as the home of the title character in Bram Stoker's Dracula. There is no evidence that Stoker knew anything about this castle, which has only vague associations with Vlad the Impaler, the assumed inspiration for Dracula.
The castle is now a museum dedicated to displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie the last Queen of Romania as the wife of King Ferdinand I.
Castle Ward
Co Down, Northern Ireland.
Castle Ward has been the home of the Ward family since ca. 1570.
The current building was built in the early 1760's.
The house and its gardens were presented to the National Trust in 1952.
Fantasy Castle Wallpapers 4K Resolution
Fantasy Castle Wallpapers 4K Resolution, 1920 x 1080, 278 KB, wall.alphacoders.com/by_sub_category.php?id=167136&pa...
This is an exposure fusion (9 shots) of Bamburgh Castle.
Beautiful place! I ran around the sand dunes.
Castle Combe is a small village in Wiltshire, England, with a population of about 350. It is renowned for its attractiveness and tranquillity, and for fine buildings including the medieval church. The fourteenth century Market Cross, erected when the privilege to hold a weekly market in Castle Combe was granted, is situated where the three principal streets converge. Some small stone steps near the Cross were for horseriders to mount and dismount. The village has twice played host to the Combe Sunday event, a music extravaganza which attracted 4000 visitors to the village in 2006.
The 4-star Manor House Hotel in the village was built in the fourteenth century. It has 48 rooms and 365 acres (1.5 km²) of gardens.
Castle Combe is the home of a motor racing venue, Castle Combe Circuit. It was also used as a location for the film musical Doctor Dolittle. Raymond Austin, (http://www.raymondaustin.com/) filmed the Avengers and Saint in and around the village in the late 60's and, most recently, for Stardust (Michael Fleming. "A sprinkling of 'Stardust'", Variety, 2006-03-06. Retrieved on 2007-04-29).
Source: Wikipedia
The best preserved medieval castle in Czech republic.
"Hard as a bone (Kost)"
Český ráj, Czech republic
Castle Campbell is a medieval castle situated above the town of Dollar, Clackmannanshire, in central Scotland. It was the lowland seat of the earls and dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, from the 15th to the 19th century, and was visited by Mary, Queen of Scots, in the 16th century.
History
The castle was originally known as Castle Gloom, possibly deriving from the Scottish Gaelic: glom, meaning a chasm, and referring to the narrow gorges to either side of the site. The naturally defended position may have been the site of a motte in the 12th century. The present tower was built in around 1430 for John Stewart, Lord Lorn, (d.1463) or one of his kinsmen.
In 1465 the property was acquired by Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, (d.1493) on his marriage to Isabel, Lord Lorn's daughter. The first historical record of the castle dates from the following year, when Pope Paul II issued a bull against Walter Stewart, son of Lord Lorn, for attacking and damaging the "Place of Glowm". Argyll, who was at the papal court at the time, may have been instrumental in arranging the Pope's intervention. The tower shows signs of early rebuilding following this episode.
The acquisition of Gloom expanded the power of the Campbells from Argyll in the west into central Scotland, and suited his position as Master of the Household to James III, which required his frequent presence at court. In 1488 Argyll petitioned the newly crowned James IV to formally change the name of Gloom to Castle Campbell, and this was done by an act of parliament. The change in name may imply that the term "castle" was seen as particularly prestigious, requiring royal approval for its use. At this time, the castle would have comprised the tower house, with other buildings arranged around the courtyard, and gardens outside. The east range was probably added first, and some time after the accession of the 2nd Earl in 1493 the large south range was begun. This building shows the influence of the contemporary works at Stirling Castle, now known as the King's Old Building. It included a state apartment of hall, outer chamber and bedchamber, with large south-facing windows overlooking the gardens and the view across the Devon Valley. The range also provided additional private lodgings, and was accessed via two symmetrically placed stairways facing the courtyard
16th century
In the 16th century, the 4th Earl of Argyll (d.1558) embraced the cause of religious Reformation, and became one of the leading Protestant lords of his day. His family supported the Calvinist preacher John Knox while he was in Scotland in the 1550s. Knox visited Castle Campbell and preached there, some time in 1556. In January 1563 Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed at Castle Campbell on the occasion of the marriage of Margaret, sister to the 5th Earl of Argyll, and James Stewart, Lord Doune. However, on the marriage of Queen Mary and Lord Darnley two years later, Argyll joined other Protestant lords in rebellion. During the Chaseabout Raid which followed, Mary and Darnley received the surrender of Castle Campbell. In the more peaceful 1590s Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll, rebuilt the east range of the castle to link the south range with refurbished guest chambers in the tower. The new work consisted of a fine two-arched loggia facing the courtyard, with a façade of polished ashlar masonry above. Behind this were galleries, fashionable additions to the accommodation within the castle, and new stairs to north and south. The east range has been compared to the north courtyard façade at Crichton Castle which was erected around the same time. An inventory of 1595 records the furniture, tapestries, carpets and other items in each room of the castle, including a total of 47 beds.
Destruction and later history
The Earls of Argyll continued to support the Protestant cause, and in the religious conflicts of the mid-17th century Archibald Campbell, 8th Earl of Argyll, became the leader of the Presbyterian Covenanters, in opposition to the leading Royalist James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. In 1645 Montrose's troops, on their way to the Battle of Kilsyth, laid waste to the lands around Castle Campbell, including Dollar and Muckhart. Many of Montrose's men were MacLeans, long-standing adversaries of the Campbells. The castle itself was undamaged, and no siege was attempted. In response, Argyll ordered the destruction of Menstrie Castle and Airthrie Castle, both seats of Royalists. After the execution of Charles I the Campbells initially supported Charles II, with Argyll placing the crown of Scotland on Charles' head at Scone in 1651. However, Argyll opposed Charles' invasion of England, and in 1652 he submitted to Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. Cromwell's forces were garrisoned in Castle Campbell in 1653. In July 1654, Royalist rebels attacked and burned Castle Campbell over two nights.
Argyll was executed following the Restoration of 1660 and his son, the 9th Earl, built Argyll's Lodging in Stirling rather than renovate Castle Campbell. Apart from being briefly garrisoned during the Jacobite rising of 1715 the castle was abandoned, and in 1805 the 6th Duke of Argyll sold it to Crawford Tait of Harviestoun, an adjacent estate. In 1859 Harviestoun, and Castle Campbell, was bought by businessman and former Lord Provost of Glasgow Sir Andrew Orr. His son James Orr had excavations carried out at the castle in the 1870s, turning up fragments of stained glass from the windows of the south range.
In 1948 the then-owners of the Harviestoun estate gave Dollar Glen to the National Trust for Scotland, who arranged for the castle to be cared for by the Ministry of Works. Restoration works have included a new roof on the tower, and excavations in the 1980s which revealed charred timbers from the 1654 burning. The castle is now managed by Historic Scotland. [Wikipedia]
View of the Wachau Valley from the castle above Dürnstein.
It was worth the hike. Shelly and I were not planning on going to the top, but somehow after wandering around town we found a path leading up the hill. Spectacular views and several benches along the way to stop to rest. We were surprised that only two other people were at the top and they left soon after we arrived. We had the place to ourselves.
Castle Howard, a magnificent 18th-century stately home in York, England, is an architectural masterpiece set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking parkland. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, its baroque grandeur is evident in its majestic domes, ornate interiors, and extensive art collection. Visitors can explore beautifully landscaped gardens, serene lakes, and woodland paths, offering picturesque views year-round. The estate also hosts various events, including historical tours, weddings, and seasonal festivities, making it a vibrant cultural hub. Castle Howard’s rich history and stunning beauty make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.