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Big Royal Dig

Windsor Castle

The East Terrace and garden at Windsor Castle
The East Terrace and garden at
Windsor Castle
Photo: PA / EMPICS
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest continuously occupied castle in the world. Soon after the Norman invaders arrived in 1066, they built a defensive ring of motte-and-bailey forts around London. The castle at Windsor, situated on high ground at the edge of a Saxon hunting ground and overlooking the river Thames, was one of them.

It is possible that William the Conqueror chose the site of an earlier fortification, building his wooden motte on the central mound where the Round Tower is still located today. The outer walls of the castle are also still in the same position as when they were first erected around William’s bailey, or defensive enclosure.

Henry II rebuilt much of the castle in stone in the 1170s, while Edward III carried out further extensions two centuries later. These included St George's Hall, which he had built for the use of the Knights of the Order of the Garter. St George's Chapel, dedicated to the patron saint of the Order (and of England) was started by Edward IV and completed by Henry VIII. Ten British monarchs, including the beheaded Charles I, are interred there.

After its capture from royalist forces during the English Civil War, it was used by the Parliamentarians, before being extensively rebuilt and refurbished by Charles II following the Restoration of the monarchy. Much of its modern appearance, however, is due to work begun by George IV in the 1820s. He gave it its Gothic style, including the addition of crenellations, turrets and towers.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made Windsor their home in the 19th century, and today the Queen spends most weekends there.



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