Windsor Castle. Image Source: http://www.forensicgenealogy.info/contest_282_results.html
History of the CastleWilliam the Conqueror was the first ruler to establish a presence at the current site of Windsor Castle on a hill above the Thames River in 1070. Building in the traditional motte-and-bailey style one hundred feet above the river created a commanding image.[1] Taking sixteen years to build, the original Windsor Castle was intended to protect London from Western approaches. Initially built as a defensive structure, the mid-twelfth century saw the modification of the structure by Henry II, who began to transition Windsor Castle into a palace. However, Henry II also improved fortifications, with the original timber walls and keep being rebuilt in stone. Henry III continued to improve the castle’s fortifications while simultaneously improving the comfort of the private apartments.[2]
The castle remained both a fortification and private residence until the mid-fourteenth century, even when Edward III focused renovations on turning Windsor Castle into a gothic palace. Edward also wanted to centralize the business of the realm, developing courts for ceremonial and official business as well as the King and Queen’s private apartments. While at this time, the focus had moved away from strengthening fortifications, the walls and keep remained intact and an inner gatehouse was added. Simply, the opulence of the original castle had increased much more than the strength, which remained consistent throughout the first few centuries. Under Tudor rule, the castle stayed largely the same. By the reign of Elizabeth I, however, the castle was in great need of repair. Elizabeth, adopting Windsor as her main residence, began a series of much-needed repairs to the structure, now over three hundred years old. The next four monarchs who had an effect on Windsor – Charles II, George III, George IV, and Victoria – all made improvements to the existing structure, by adding new rooms and changing the style of the building to suit their time periods. Notably, part of Windsor Castle caught on fire in 1992, severely damaging a number of rooms. The costly restoration, which set to restore rooms like the private chapel and St. George’s Hall, took five years to complete.[3] Historically, the castle has played an important role in politics and warfare over the last 1,000 years. Many monarchs were born there, including Edward III, who has arguably had the most influence on shaping the modern castle. Edward III founded the Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle to celebrate those in the realm who have shown loyalty or military merit. To celebrate their achievement, he erected St. George’s Hall in the 1360s.[4] In addition, many of England’s most notable monarchs are interned at Windsor Castle in St. George’s Chapel, including Edward IV, Henry VIII, Charles I, Edward VII, and George V. Over its history, Windsor Castle has withstood a number of sieges and played a role in national and international conflicts. In 1194, Prince John attempted to take the throne from his brother Richard I while he was abroad by establishing a stronghold at Windsor Castle. John was ultimately unsuccessful, but Windsor’s fortifications proved their mettle, successfully protecting John from Richard’s loyal noble followers. After John legitimately became King, he once again sought the protection of Windsor from the nobles who had previously protected his brother. In part, these hostilities led to the signing of the Magna Carta, considered an important predecessor to modern democracy.[5] Windsor Castle also played an important role in the seventeenth century English Civil War. In 1642, Oliver Cromwell and his Parliamentarian forces took hold off the castle after the Battle of Edgehill. The Parliamentarians used the castle as a headquarters and prison and it was here that Charles I was held before his trial an execution in London in 1648. Jumping forward three hundred years to the Second World War, Windsor was used a place of refuge from aerial bombing for Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.[6] Then, with strong connections from her childhood, it is unsurprising that Queen Elizabeth has consistently stayed at the palace during her reign. [1] “Windsor Castle,” Britain Express, accessed 24 October 2013. http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/berkshire/windsor-castle/index.htm; “Who built the Castle?” Royal Collection Trust, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/about/who-built-the-castle. [2] “Who built the Castle?” Royal Collection Trust, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/about/who-built-the-castle [3] “Who built the Castle?” Royal Collection Trust, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/about/who-built-the-castle [4] “Windsor Castle Timeline,” PBS, accessed 24 October 2013. http://www.pbs.org/opb/windsorcastle/timeline.html [5] “Windsor Castle,” http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/berkshire/windsor-castle/index.htm; “Who built the Castle?” Royal Collection Trust, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/about/who-built-the-castle; “The Magna Carta,” National Archives and Records Administration, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/. [6] “Windsor Castle History,” The Official Website of the British Monarchy, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/WindsorCastle/History.aspx. |
TodayToday, the castle remains a top tourist attraction in England as well as a residence and palace for the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II spends many of her weekends at Windsor, considered to be the largest occupied castle in the world.[1] While the castle has changed drastically over its 1,000-year history, the original walls of the castle put in place by William the Conqueror remain to this day.[2] The Castle is still used for Royal and State occasions. Around Easter each year, the Queen holds Easter court there and the castle also plays host to foreign dignitaries and visitors.[3]
If you are lucky enough to visit Windsor Castle today, you will be treated to a number of spectacular architectural features from the medieval and Middle Ages. Some of the most spectacular are highlighted below. St. George’s Chapel St. George’s Chapel is one of the best examples of Gothic Architecture in England and is the official home of the Order of the Garter.[4] Every June an official ceremony for members of the Garter is hosted in the space, and new members are inaugurated there as well. The Chapel, commissioned in 1745 under Edward IV, was completed fifty years later. As mentioned above, the interned monarchs of Windsor Castle all lay in St. George’s Chapel.[5] St. George’s Chapel continues to offer daily religious services.[6] State Apartments Designed most extensively by monarchs Charles II and George IV, these rooms house a considerable portion of the Royal Collection, including magnificent works of art by Rembrandt and Rubens. In the late seventeenth century, the State Apartments were renovated in an attempt to match the opulence of Versailles. Charles II hired a master painter and a woodcarver to improve the aesthetic of the space. In the early nineteenth century, a grand entrance and staircase were added to the State Apartments. And, after 1815, a grand hall named the Waterloo Chamber was added to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.[7] The Long Walk Started in 1680 by Charles II, the long walk is a two and a half mile walkway to Windsor Castle. Edged by two rows of elm trees, the walkway is a demonstration of the opulence and power of the British Royal Family.[8] The Significance of Windsor Castle cannot be underestimated. With its important role in protecting the realm in its early history to its use today as a tourist attraction and Royal palace, Windsor Castle demonstrates the strength and enduring nature of the British monarchy. Transforming from William the Conqueror’s motte-and-bailey fortification to an Edwardian Castle and finally to a private residence, Windsor is an excellent case study in the rise and fall of the British Castle. [1] “Windsor Castle,” The Official Website of the British Monarchy, accessed 24 October 2013. http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/WindsorCastle/WindsorCastle.aspx; “Windsor Castle History,” The Official Website of the British Monarchy, http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/WindsorCastle/History.aspx. [2] “Windsor Castle,” Britain Express, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/berkshire/windsor-castle/index.htm [3] “Windsor Castle: About,” Royal Collection Trust, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/about [4] “St. George’s Chapel,” Royal Collection Trust, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/what-to-see-and-do/st-georges-chapel. [5] “Windsor Castle,” Britain Express, accessed 24 October 2013. http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/berkshire/windsor-castle/index.htm [6] “St. George’s Chapel,” Royal Collection Trust, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/what-to-see-and-do/st-georges-chapel. [7] “The State Apartments,” Royal Collection Trust, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/what-to-see-and-do/the-state-apartment. [8] “The Long Walk,” Thames Web, accessed 24 October 2013, http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/windsor/greatpark/longwalk.html. |