Corfe Castle viewed from the cemetery
The building of Corfe Castle was commenced by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Sold by Elizabeth I in 1572, it was owned by the Bankes family when the Civil War broke out, and became a Royalist stronghold. While her husband Sir John Bankes was away, Lady Mary Bankes successfully defended the castle against several Parliamentarian attacks. The castle eventually fell due to an act of treachery by one of her men, who allowed a group of Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian soldiers into the castle so that it could be attacked from within. Lady Bankes was allowed to leave the castle with her men, but Cromwell then ordered it to be slighted (destroyed) so that it could not be used again. It is now owned by the National Trust.
Size: 6016px × 4016px
Location: Corfe Castle, Dorset, England, UK, Europe
Photo credit: © Tony Gwynne / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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