Monday 7 September 2009

Castle Rising

Two weeks back my son and I visited Castle Rising. For those gamers who have played the classic game 'Kingmaker', you may be familiar with the name as its on the playing board and is also noted on card 48 'Peasant Revolt' which says 'Mowbray to Castle Rising'.
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2009-08-20 ~ S1DSCF9736
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Castle Rising is one of the most famous 12th Century castles in England.
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2009-08-20 ~ S1DSCF9748
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The stone keep, built in around 1140ad, is amongst the finest surviving examples of its kind anywhere in the country and, together with the massive surrounding earthworks, ensures that Rising is a castle of national importance. In its time Rising has served as a hunting lodge, royal residence, and for a brief time in the 18th century even housed a mental patient. The most famous period in its history was when it came to the mother of Edward III, Queen Isabella, following her part in the murder of her husband Edward II.
The castle passed to the Howard family in 1544 and it remains in their hands, the current owner being a descendant of William D'Albini II, the Norman baron who raised the castle.
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2009-08-20 ~ S1DSCF9744
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2 comments:

BigLee said...

I visited Castle Rising back in July while my family holidayed in the area. The Keep itself is very impressive but it was the earthworks surrounding it that caught my attention.

Vulture said...

BigLee
I totally with you on that one. The massive ditch is very impressive. The photos I took on the day fail to do justice to it however.
Keep well
Vulture