Key dates
- 1066 – William the Conqueror crowned King of England
- 1080s – Building of Windsor begins
- 1215 – Magna Carta
- 1475 – St George’s Chapel begun
- Great Fire of Windsor
Further reading
- England and its Rulers, 1066-1272, M.T. Clanchy
- The English – A Social History 1066-1945, C. Hibbert
- Magna Carta, J.C. Holt
Overview
Windsor is the largest and grandest castle in Britain and the biggest occupied castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror, today it covers over thirteen acres and reflects architectural tastes from the 11th century to the 20th. The castle has been inhabited continuously since it was first built and is one of the official royal residences of the Queen. The royal family has two official periods of residence at Windsor, in April and June, but it is also a favourite weekend retreat from London for them. The royal standard flies over the Round Tower, in place of the Union Jack, when the Queen is staying.
The royal family has taken its surname from Windsor since 1916, when, during the First World War, George V wanted to distance the family from its Germanic origins and surname (Battenberg). As children during WW II, the Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, were sent to the safety of Windsor to escape the London Blitz. The Crown Jewels, placed in leather hatboxes stuffed with old newspapers, were also kept safe in the castle vaults. A serious fire struck the castle in 1992 and damaged a large area, but the restoration project is now complete.
History
William the Conqueror
William was born in Normandy, in 1027 or 1028, the result of a liaison between Robert, duke of Normandy and Arlette, the daughter of a tanner. An exceptionally tall and proud man, he was sensitive about his illegitimate birth. For example; when the citizens of Alençon in France were under attack from William, they hung out animal hides from a local bridge and taunted him with cries of “Hides for the tanner.” In vengeance he stormed the town and had thirty-two citizens dragged before him. Their hands and feet were cut off and thrown over the wall of the castle.
Having invaded England in 1066 and established a dynasty there, he ruled both England and Normandy until his death in 1087, following a fall from his horse. He was buried at Caen in France, but no coffin could be found large enough for him, and after several days his putrid body burst out of its tomb.
The Battle of Hastings
In September of 1066, William crossed the English Channel from Normandy in order to take the throne of England for himself. He believed that he was the rightful heir and that the current king, Harold, who had seized the crown nine months earlier, was a usurper. William landed on the south coast of England near Hastings. Two weeks later, when Harold’s forces arrived, the most famous battle on English soil, the Battle of Hastings, took place. Harold was killed by an arrow through the eye and William won a decisive victory. He was crowned king of the English in Westminster Abbey on Christmas day 1066. The Bayeux Tapestry, in Normandy, depicts the battle, and the events leading up to it, in detail.
Although lawfully king, William’s position was precarious as the English population were hostile. The Normans were obliged to behave as an occupying army and one means of control was to introduce castles; as garrisons for troops; as local centres of government; and also to overawe the surrounding towns and countryside. Houses were cleared on the chosen sites and the local population conscripted to help the construction. The castles became a symbol of Norman occupation. One commentator in 1066 wrote that the Normans ‘built castles far and wide throughout the land, oppressing the wretched people, and things went continually from bad to worse.’
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle was part of William’s programme and the building began in about 1080 as part of a series of fortifications round London. A stockade and a tower (keep), both of wood, surmounted an earthen mound (motte), with a fenced yard (bailey) on either side. The keep served as a watch-tower and the bailey as quarters for a garrison and as a shelter for other troops. Although the castle was built as a military fortress, its proximity to London and the hunting offered by the surrounding forest (now Windsor Great Park), made it attractive as a royal residence. From the 12th century, successive monarchs built apartments to house the royal family and court. At about this time stone began to be used in place of wood.
Edward III (1327-77) conducted a radical enlargement and restoration of the castle in the middle of the 14th century. It was transformed into a gothic palace and became the seat of the Order of the Garter, which he founded in 1384. The works were on such a massive scale that, in the words of a contemporary chronicler; ‘almost all the masons and carpenters throughout the whole of England were brought [to the castle] so that hardly anyone could have a good mason or carpenter, except in secret, on account of the King’s prohibition.’ The scale and style of Edward’s Windsor represents his medieval ideal of a Christian, chivalric monarchy in the same way as Louis XIV’s Versailles reflects 17th century centralisation and the Divine Right of Kingship.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries Windsor was the favourite residence of many monarchs. Charles II (1630-1685) transformed the interior to provide the grandest Baroque state apartments in England. The walls were wainscoted in oak and the craftsman Grinling Gibbons provided virtuoso wood-carvings. These decorations still survive in the Queen’s Presence and Audience Chambers and the King’s Dining Room. George III (1738-1820), who opened the state apartments to the public on a regular basis, and his son George IV (1762-1830) created new comfortable and elegant private apartments in medieval gothic style, enhancing the castle’s silhouette with extra towers, battlements and crenellations.
The Order of the Garter
Founded by Edward III in 1348, the Order of the Garter is the oldest chivalric order in Britain. Its motto, Honi soit qui mal y pense (“Shame on him who thinks evil of it”) remains famous. The order’s blue and gold colours allude to the French royal arms. Today, it is the most prestigious order in existence.
The Great Fire
In 1992 the castle was seriously damaged by a fire that broke out in the Queen’s private chapel. The restoration project cost £35 million and was completed within five years. Buckingham Palace was opened to the public for the first time to help finance repairs.
Arts – Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House
A masterpiece of craftsmanship, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1923. Built to scale (12:1), it includes working plumbing, electricity, lifts, and even a gramophone. Authors such as Conan Doyle and Kipling wrote miniature books for its library.
Architecture
Medieval Castles
12th and 13th century castles had curtain walls, keeps, dungeons, and spiral staircases. Windsor would have been a self-contained community.
Perpendicular Gothic
St George’s Chapel, begun in 1475, is a superb example of perpendicular gothic, with fan vaulting and vast stained glass windows.
Lifestyle
- Royal Progresses – The court moved constantly to maintain control.
- Hospitality – Lavish feasts demonstrated wealth and power.
- Tournaments – Jousts and mock battles entertained and trained knights.
- Hunting – Falconry was a royal sport, with birds kept in “mews.”
Science – Sanitation
Even in the 19th century, Windsor suffered from poor drainage. Prince Albert died of typhoid contracted at Windsor.
The Visit
- Commentary must be given on the coach; guiding inside is prohibited.
- Two queues: Dolls’ House (long) and State Apartments (short).
- Superb views over the Thames to Eton from the North Terrace.
Interesting Charter Clauses
- No widow shall be compelled to marry so long as she chooses to live without a husband.
- No man shall be forced to build bridges at river banks except those who ought to do so by law.
- No constable or bailiff shall take any man’s corn or other belongings unless he pays cash for them at once.
- Let there be one measure of wine throughout our kingdom and one measure of ale and one measure of corn.
- No bailiff shall put anyone on trial by his own unsupported allegation without bringing credible witnesses.
- To no one will we sell and to no one will we deny, or delay, liberties, rights or justice.
The Magna Carta
Signed by King John at Runnymede in June 1215. Its principles influenced the American Bill of Rights. Clause 40 remains famous:
“No freeman shall be arrested, or imprisoned or dispossessed or outlawed or exiled or in any way ruined, except by lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land.”
Runnymede
Wide meadows by the Thames where negotiations took place. Today, memorials include the Commonwealth Air Force Memorial, the American Bar Association pavilion, and a stone to John F. Kennedy.
Eton
Beyond Windsor Bridge lies Eton College, founded by Henry VI in 1440. Known for its strict discipline, traditional uniforms, and famous alumni including Wellington, Gladstone, and Aldous Huxley.