.......was a medieval fortress which later became an Elizabethan palace..png)
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Built in 1120 the building seen on the right is the mighty Norman keep, a defensive powerhouse, three stories high, with walls 14ft wide. It was strengthened by King John a century later, and modified by Robert Dudley for entertaining in 1570.
The central building is what remains of John of Gaunt's Great Hall. He used some of the masons and surveyors that had worked on the rebuilding of Windsor Castle instigated by Edward 111. The hall was one of the finest of its kind, and at the cutting edge of 14th C architectural design. It played host to medieval monarchs and Tudor kings.
The final four-storey tower block building seen on the left was commissioned by Robert Dudley - 1st Earl of Leicester. He had it designed especially for Queen Elizabeth 1's use when she visited Kenilworth during one of her royal progresses through her realm in 1572. He then had it improved for her next visit in 1575. The building is now known as Leicester's Tower.
Robert Dudley - 1st Earl of Leicester
His careful staging of the queen's visit in 1575 was clearly intended to impress his importance on the queen, and it is thought that it was his last attempt to win her hand in marriage.
On entering the 900 year old Keep it is the many splendid Norman arches that immediately catch the eye. We are taking the same route that Queen Elizabeth l would have taken to visit her new garden. 
The Queens arrival at Kenilworth Castle in 1575.
Along with improvements to the Queen's building, Leicester also had a fine Elizabethan garden laid out for her visit, a garden designed to seduce and beguile her. The garden although lost for 400 years has recently been recreated using advances in garden archaeology along with an extraordinary eye-witness description from 1575.
Join me next time in Elizabeth's garden.png)
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I am not sure (well I am sure actually) that I would have been brave enough to try to marry Elizabeth 1st.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best way not to loose your head.
DeleteLooks as if was once a magnificent building Rosemary. Looking forward to seeing the garden in due course.
ReplyDeleteThe remains of these great buildings still retain a sense of their grandeur and power.
DeleteLove your photo of the Norman arches. Looking forward to seeing the reconstructed garden!
ReplyDeleteThe Norman arches in the Keep are very plain. However, whether they are plain, enriched with chevrons (zig- zags) or rolled moulding sometimes sculptured, they are my own personal favourite style of arch.
DeleteGood to see you are still getting about despite an unpredictable summer down in England this year. I almost feel like I was there in person with Elizabeth and Dudley having watched three different film versions of it since the 1960s and read several books about that particular event.
ReplyDeleteWe have been lucky as all of our trips have been hot and sunny with lots of blue skies. The weather here as been far better than that on the eastern side.
DeleteI hope that seeing the reality of where the story took place has lived up to your expectations.
Hello Rosemary, Kenilworth is a powerful combination of architecture and history that you can really conjure with--at least the past the way we would have liked it to have been! So many interesting and ancient features in those ruins--I could explore for days.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - Kenilworth needs plenty of time to explore. There is so much history and wonderful remains to visit and discover. It is a place that I am sure you too would enjoy.
DeleteI read somewhere that when Elizabeth was imprisoned she lamented being denied a walk in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThe only time that Elizabeth was imprisoned was by Mary when she was 20 years old who had her put in the Tower of London. Eventually she was removed to Woodstock Palace for a year under house arrest before eventually being released to become queen. Perhaps it was at Woodstock that she lamented being denied a walk in the garden?
DeleteWhat a history Kenilworth Castle has. There is such a sense of the past when thinking about the people who built, entertained, loved and died in these places. I look forward to reading about Elizabeth I's garden. And I'm curious about the eyewitness account - perhaps you'll elaborate more on that.
ReplyDeleteHello Lorrie - there was so much history at Kenilworth that I have split it up into 3 parts. The next post is now ready together with information about the eyewitness account.
DeleteDear Rosemary - The relationship of the Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley is interesting. Norman arches are sure eye-catching. My eyes were glued to the handsome dog face in the corner of the portrait of Robert Dudley. The weather looks pleasantly warm there while it’s dangerously hot here. Enjoy your summer.
ReplyDeleteYoko
You are correct Yoko - the weather here has been pretty good, rain for the garden, but also plenty of blue skies and sunshine, but not roasting hot. However, this has made our garden has grow like "Topsy" making it very hard work.
DeleteLovely to read about the history of Kenilworth castle. I remember visiting one very damp drizzly day back in the early eighties. The ruin definitely felt atmospheric. B x
ReplyDeleteI imagine that it must have change quite a lot.Apart from the new garden you can now climb a stairway that goes right to the top of queen's building.
DeleteNice post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful atmosphere.
Thank you very much.
I'm also looking forward to the garden.
A Sunday evening greeting goes to you.
Greetings to you too Barwitzki and thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteDear Rosemary, To be denied visits to the garden would truly be extreme punishment. (I'm still around, enjoying my garden)
ReplyDeleteMy dear Gina - I can't express to you enough just how happy I am to see you here. You have been in my thoughts and on my mindX
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