Winchester Castle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Winchester Castle, built in 1067, was the seat of English Government, with Winchester as capital of England, during the 10th and early 11th centuries. Only the Great Hall exists now; it houses a museum of the history of Winchester.

Between 1222–1235, Henry III added the Great Hall, built to a "double cube" design, measuring 110' by 55' by 55', where an imitation Arthurian Round Table is now housed. The Great Hall is built of flint with stone dressings, originally it had lower walls and a roof with dormer windows, which were later removed, and the tall two-light windows with early plate tracery added. Extensions to the castle were made by Edward II. In 1302, Edward and his wife Margaret escaped a fire which destroyed their apartments.

William of Wykeham was secretary to the constable of the castle and became astute in building matters, leading to his gaining work from King Edward III.

On November 17, 1603 Sir Walter Raleigh went on trial for treason for his supposed part in the Main Plot in the converted Great Hall.

The castle was used by the Royalist Cavaliers in the English Civil War, eventually falling to Parliamentarian Roundheads in 1646, Oliver Cromwell then ordered the castle's destruction.

In the 17th century, Charles II planned to build 'King's House' adjoining the site, commissioning Christopher Wren to design a royal palace to rival the Palace of Versailles. The project was abandoned by James II.

In 1873 the roof of the Great hall was renewed.

A second notorious trial took place in the Great Hall, on 15 March 1953; the 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu Edward Montagu along with Michael Pitt-Rivers and Peter Wildeblood went on trial on charges of having committed specific acts of indecency.

The excavated remains of the round tower with Sally ports and Guardrobes, where toilet seats were placed, in parts of the medieval city wall can be seen nearby.