Castles

A selection of images of castles Check out our Teaching Activity Medieval Life: Securing The Conquest

Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall Pendennis was constructed between 1540 and 1545 by order of Henry VIII as part of a the Cornish end of a chain of coastal castles designed to defend England from a possible French or Spanish invasion. The original Tudor fort is now part of a much larger castle. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).	Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel, Cornwall Built on a spur overlooking the River Fowey with an unusual circular keep circa 1100, Restormel Castle is one of the oldest and best preserved Norman motte and bailey castles in Cornwall. Heavily defended by a 17 metre moat and artificially steepened foundation, the castle was rebuilt in the 13th century by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, for use as a residence. The castle's condition is partly a result of its use a garrison in the Civil War. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Tintagel Castle, Cornwall Richard of Cornwall built Tintagel castle in the 13th century. This dramatic defensive position had been occupied long before by the Romans. It is also thought to have been a trading settlement of Celtic kings during the 5th and 6th centuries. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).	Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage.NMR Corfe Castle, Dorset Corfe Castle was built after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Improved by later Monarchs including Henry VIII, who added additional walls, towers and gatehouses, the Castle remained in Royal possession until sold by Elizabeth 1st in the 16th century. Its ruinous condition is largely the result of the Civil War when it was besieged and partially demolished by order of Parliament in 1646. The Castle is also believed to be the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Castle.
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Bodiam Castle, East Sussex A view of Bodiam Castle looking across the moat. The castle was built in the late 14th century after Sir Edward Dalyngridge was granted permission to build on the manor against possible French invasion in 1385.It was built to look like a strong medieval castle with round towers but was, in fact, designed more for show than strength.	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Pevensey Castle, Pevensey, East Sussex A Roman fort originally stood on this site. After the Norman Conquest it was given to William the Conqueror's half-brother. By the end of the 11th century he had constructed a full scale Norman castle using the Roman walls. It lay uninhabited from the 16th century. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent Allington Castle surrounded by a moat. It was originally a manor house until it was turned into an embattled castle by Stephen de Penchester in 1281. The castle lay in a ruinous state until it was restored by Sir Martin Conway.	Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage Photo Library The Keep, Dover Castle, Dover, Kent The strategic importance of Dover has long been recognised. The great Keep, built in the 1180s by King Henry II to provide both security and accomodation, was the strongpoint of the medieval Castle. It remained a military site until the end of World War II. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Castle Rising, Norfolk The mid-12th-century keep at Castle Rising is set within a massive defensive earthwork. The Castle was established in circa 1138 on the site of the Saxon village by William de Albini II, later Earl of Sussex. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010) but owned and managed by Lord howard of Rising.	Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR Kenilworth Castle, Kenilworth, Warwickshire The first castle was built here soon after the Norman Conquest, and the impressive keep (seen here) survives. Simon de Montfort held the castle in the mid 13th century, while in the 17th century it was the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Essex and favourite of Queen Elizabeth. Many of the buildings date from this period. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire An aerial view of Old Sarum showing the motte and bailey castle and the remains of the medieval bishop's palace. The bishop's seat was transferred to nearby Salisbury in 1219 which gradually led to the decline of the Old Sarum site. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Stokesay Castle, Craven Arms, Shropshire Stokesay Castle is the finest and best-preserved 13th-century fortified manor house in England. It was fortified by Lawrence de Ludlow, a wool merchant, who received his 'License to Crenellate' from Edward 1 in 1291. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR/Mr Martin Roberts Clifford's Tower, York castle, York, York William the Conqueror built the castle for his northern campaign of terror in 1069. The stone keep was built in 1245-72. At various points in its history, Clifford’s Tower became a royal mint, functioned as a prison, gruesomely displayed the bodies of leaders of uprisings, and was even a court. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).	Add to My Favourites English Heritage.NMR Tower of London, Stepney, London The White Tower is the keep at the heart of the Tower. It was built around 1078 -1100 for William I and William II. This is the earliest known image.
Add to My Favourites Reproduced by permission of English Heritage.NMR Oxford Castle, Oxford, Oxfordshire This 17th century oblique view of the castle site shows the Norman motte or mound built in 1091 by forced Saxon labour. A wooden keep stood on this. The castle was used by the Normans to keep control of the town. Also visible are the remains of the Shire Hall, as well as St George's Tower and Castle Mill beyond.	Add to My Favourites Reproduced by permission of English Heritage.NMR Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire View from Pedscoe Street with a statue of Queen Victoria in the foreground. Windsor is England's largest castle and a royal palace. The castle dates back to William the Conqueror but the first stone buildings were erected by Henry II between 1165 and 1179
Add to My Favourites Copyright English Heritage.NMR Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Greater London Authority offices, London Although the White Tower is Norman other parts of The Tower of London were added at various dates. It was the seat of government for the whole country during the medieval period.	Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Dunster Castle, Dunster, Somerset A view of part of Dunster Castle from the town. There is now no trace of the original Norman castle at Dunster. The present castle dates mainly from the 15th century when the Luttrell family became the owners. It has been reconstructed several times, most recently in the 19th century and was given to the National Trust in 1976.
Add to My Favourites Copyright Crown copyright.NMR Arundel Castle, Arun, West Sussex An aerial view of the castle which is the home of the Dukes of Norfolk. At its centre is a Norman earthen motte. The upper and lower baileys were constructed in the 12th century. The lower bailey contains the main living quarters which were created in 1890-1903.