English castles Archive

Walmer Castle

Walmer Castle is the most southerly of the three Henrian coastal forts which protected the Downs, that sheltered strait lying between the coast and the Goodwin Sands.  It stands a mile from Deal Castle, to which it was originally connected by earthworks, and was built at the same time.

Though resembling Deal in principle, it is simpler in design. It consists of a squat cylindrical tower closely surrounded by a lower curtain, the latter projecting outwards in four semi-circular lobes to form a quatrefoil plan.  It was a plan shared by Sandown Castle, the northern member of the group and now almost totally destroyed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle rises serenely from the waters of its urrounding lake.  The lake is an artificial one created by damming the River Len.  The castle existed in 1139 because, in that year, King Stephen wrested it from Matilda’s supporters.

Read the rest of this entry »

Portchester Castle

Portchester Medieval Castle is is located at Portchester, east of Fareham in Hampshire county, England. Portchester Castle originated as the “Saxon Shore” fort of Portus Adurni.  It is the best preserved of the chain of Roman forts erected along the southeast coast in the late third century AD.  The reason for their construction is still debated.  Defense against Germanic raiders is the for the most part the likely explanation and they were without a doubt used for that purpose in the following century.

Read the rest of this entry »

Donnington Castle

Donnington medieval castle is located in the small village of Donnington,  north from the town of Newbury, in Berkshire county, England.  Sir Richard Abberbury, the queen’s chamberlain, obtained a license crenellate the place in 1386. In 1414 Thomas Chaucer, son of the poet, purchased the castle and through him it passed to the De la Pole dukes of Suffolk.

Read the rest of this entry »

Muncaster Castle

Set in the dramatic grandeur of the Lakeland Fells, Lake District, the wild, woodland gardens are home to an incredible collection of rare and beautiful plants. Muncaster Castle offers many fantastic Attractions within its grounds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Caernarfon castle

Caernarfon Castle is to be found in , and is a leftover of the time when the English and the Welsh fought bitterly around seven hundred and thirty years ago.

King Edward I was the fearsome King who was responsible for bringing the welsh to heel, and at that time built so many castles in this part of Wales that it is believed that no other country on this earth has as many castles per square mile. It all began with the Roman garrisons, Norman strongholds, and Anglo Saxon Forts, and now means that there are over 300 castles to explore, from what amounts to little more than a pile of stones to the huge medieval constructions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Barnard Castle, Durham

Barnard Castle, Durham is an ancient medieval castle that is located in the town of Teesdale in Durham county, England. This towering monument now serves as a major tourist’s destination that brings in thousands of tourists every year.

Read the rest of this entry »