Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle located in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, where Charles I was imprisoned.
Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle located in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England. Charles I was imprisoned at the castle in the months prior to his trial and execution. Previously the site of Carisbrooke Castle may have been occupied in pre-Roman times. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentions that Wihtgar, cousin of King Cynric of Wessex, died in AD 544, and was buried there. The Jutes may have taken over the fort in the late 7th century. An Anglo-Saxon stronghold occupied the site during the 8th century. Around 1000, a wall was built around the hill as a defence against Viking raids. The Richard de Redvers' family occupied, and over the next two centuries descendants improved the castle with stone walls, towers and a keep. In 1293 Edward I purchased it thenceforward governance was entrusted to wardens as representatives of the crown. In 1377 the castle was unsuccessfully attacked by the French, saved by local hero Peter de Heyno who shot the French commander. Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales, later Earl Rivers, obtained a grant of the castle and rights of Lordship in 1467. He was responsible for the addition of the Woodville Gate, now known as the Entrance Gate (pictured). Italian engineer Federigo Giambelli (or Genebelli) made more substantial improvements to the defences, constructing a modern trace Italienne fortification, a squat rampart and ditch supported at intervals by powerful bastions, completely surrounding the old castle and bailey. Charles I was imprisoned here for fourteen months before his execution in 1649. Afterwards his two youngest children were confined in the castle, and Princess Elizabeth died there. From 1896–1944, it was the home of Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, as Governor of the Isle of Wight. It is now under the control of English Heritage. Carisbrooke was the strongest castle on the Isle of Wight. The name of the castle is echoed in a very different structure on the other side of the world.
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Carisbrooke, Newport, Isle of Wight, England , UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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