Friday 1 April 2016

Corfe Castle


It's Friday again which means it is time to join Amy at Love Made My Home with a Five On Friday post. 


Yesterday my DH and I enjoyed a brilliant day out on the Isle of Purbeck visiting Swanage and Corfe Castle so today I thought I would show you some images of Corfe Castle. This area is one of our all-time favourite places and we have visited many times over the years but we haven't actually been into the Castle itself for a long time so decided it was time we revisited.







Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above a village with the same name which was built to guard a gap between the Purbeck hills. The first castle buildings were built of wood and it is here in 978 AD that young King Edward was reputedly murdered on the orders of his step-mother so that her son Ethelred the Unready could become King of England. 







In the latter half of the 11th Century the castle was rebuilt in stone by William the Conqueror and it grew in importance in the reign of King John for whom it became a favourite hunting residence. 


























It was besieged by King Stephen in the civil war with the Empress Matilda and later in the Civil War of the 17th century when it was famously held for the Royalists by Lady Bankes, her husband Sir John Bankes had purchased the castle in 1635 but he died in 1644.







Lady Bankes led the defence of the castle for weeks until February 1646 when an act of betrayal let Parliamentarians into the stronghold. After the siege the castle was blown up with gunpowder so that it could never be used as a stronghold again. 






The Bankes family continued to own the Castle until 1982 when it was bequeathed to the National Trust. 








11 comments:

  1. I've been to the village, but never visited the castle. Thanks for the tour!

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  2. fantastic post Jan! really enjoyed seeing the castle and reading the historical legacy

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  3. Lovely photos. I seem to remember visiting the village many years ago but don't remember going into the castle so it was great to see your photos:)

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  4. A place I have never been so it was lovely to visit it with you.

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  5. What a pity it got blown up, it's in such a great position. The town is very pretty too. Looks like you had a perfect day. x

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  6. Thanks for sharing Jan it looks like a great place to visit. :)

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  7. The old castles are fascinating and we visited many when we lived in England.

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  8. Fascinating to read more about the castle and to see your photos, they are very atmospheric! It looks as though you had a great day with lovely weather, glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking part in Five On Friday, I hope you have a great weekend! xx

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  9. I've never been to this castle but it's on my list!

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  10. Interesting history, always enjoy seeing the old castles.

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  11. Amazing history. I'm so looking forward to our trip to the UK this summer. It seems there are castles and stately homes with lovely gardens in every corner of your grand country.

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