Edward III’s (1312-1377) rebuilding and expansion of Windsor Castle is said to be the most expensive secular building project of the entire Middle Ages in England. The original castle was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, and has been changed and expanded over the centuries the castle’s floor space is now an astounding 484,000 square feet. It is one of the principal residences of the British monarch and has been since the time of Henry I (1068-1135). This has the distinction of being the largest and longest inhabited castle in the world. They are its ceremonial guardians, give tours, and relate to tourists the interesting and checkered history of this famous castle. The Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters, can still be seen at the Tower. Since 1303, the crown jewels of the United Kingdom have been kept in the Tower, and they are on display for tourists to see. Traitor’s Gate, the entrance to the Tower from the Thames, was known as the last stop for those on their way to being executed. Many were held on Tower Green in public view. Hundreds of names of prisoners can still be seen in the Book of Prisoners at the Tower including Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh.Īmong those executed in the Tower were Thomas Cromwell and three queens of England, two of whom – Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard – were wives of Henry VIII.Įxecutions were carried out by beheading and hanging beheading was reserved for important prisoners or those of noble birth. In fact, the phrase “sent to the Tower” became synonymous with being imprisoned. It was also a place of public execution and torture, and high profile prisoners were kept there. Serving primarily as a fortress, prison, and royal palace, down through the centuries the Tower has also been used as an armory, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, an observatory, and a public records office. The original structure, the White Tower, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. Tower of LondonĪn imposing structure on the north bank of the Thames in the center of London, the Tower of London is actually a complex of buildings surrounded by two concentric rings of walls and a moat. Six Hundred years ago, the Earl of Warwick was Europe’s most famous jousting champion, and during the summer visitors can see jousting exhibitions and visit festivals and craft demonstrations. The tower, dungeon, and torture chamber allow visitors to see the darker side of Medieval England. Today, Warwick Castle houses armor and weaponry from the Middle Ages. When under the ownership of Richard Neville in the 15th century, the castle was even used to imprison the English king, Edward IV. The castle changed hands several times during its history and often was used to hold prisoners. Traditionally known as the home of the Earls of Warwick, it served as such a home for generations, up until about 25 years ago. Originally a wooden structure, it was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century and has undergone many structural changes. Less than 100 miles from London, situated on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon, this magnificent fortress was built by William the Conqueror in 1068. Here are some of the most famous medieval castles in England: Warwick Castle By the 14th century, the construction of castles was already in decline. Castles first appeared in England in the 11th century and reached a peak of military sophistication in the late 13 century. Sometimes they were built at the edge of a cliff or on the bend of a river so the surrounding area could be seen. All that remains of these early castles are traces of earthworks.Īs time went on, castles became bigger and stronger and were made of stone. Hills and moats made it more difficult to invade and conquer the castle. If the land was flat, a moat was dug around the castle. They originally started out as simple wooden buildings on top of a mound or hill, which was surrounded by a ditch. These were primarily built for protection during times of war and to ward off invaders. What has survived from medieval times, though, are castles. Many important records have not survived. Also, compared with other periods in history, historians don’t know much about this time period. It is also known as the Dark Ages because it was a time of cultural and economic deterioration. This period came to an end with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. The Medieval Period, or Middle Ages, is a period in European history which lasted from the 5th to the 15th centuries.
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