Ref Number: 0013
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A Motte and Bailey castle in Carisbrooke that was built in the early 12th century AD.
Ref Number: 0013
The Isle of Wight is home to a number of mediaeval castles, including Carisbrooke Castle, which can be found in the little town of Carisbrooke. The castle has been a seat of authority and a stronghold on the Isle of Wight for well over a thousand years.
In the ninth century, the castle served as a Saxon fortification. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, it was reconstructed. The castle was extensively renovated and enlarged throughout the Middle Ages, when it became an important defensive stronghold on the Isle of Wight against French invasion. During the English Civil War, Royalist forces seized Carisbrooke Castle, which had previously served as a prison for Catholic priests in the 16th century.
The incarceration of King Charles I in 1647 was a pivotal moment in the castle’s history. For about a year, the king was imprisoned at Carisbrooke Castle, during which time he attempted multiple times to get free. After his transportation to London, where he would be tried and killed in 1649, he met his end.
Carisbrooke Castle was the summer home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the nineteenth century. Princess Beatrice was born in the castle in 1857 during one of the many visits made by her parents.
English Heritage now oversees the historic Carisbrooke Castle, which has become a major tourist destination. The castle’s rich history may be discovered by visiting the keep, the 14th-century gatehouse, and the museum, which features objects and exhibits relating to the castle’s past.
This interesting Castle has been an important part of the history of England and the Isle of Wight. The castle has a long and interesting history, beginning as a Saxon fortification and continuing on to serve as a jail for King Charles I and a vacation palace for Queen Victoria.
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